Refugee Healing Grows Through Climbing

Summits of Sanctuary: How Alpine Peaks Forge New Futures for Refugees

In Switzerland, a groundbreaking mountaineering initiative unites asylum seekers, guiding them to the top of alpine peaks to help them recover from past ordeals. For displaced individuals from nations like Iran, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, scaling mountains offers a path to healing and a sense of belonging. This program presents a powerful alternative to conventional integration methods, fostering resilience and community against the backdrop of Europe's most formidable landscapes.

The Thin Air of Freedom

High-altitude conditions present considerable difficulties. Above 4,000 metres, the atmosphere provides less oxygen, which makes every movement a struggle. The icy, snowy terrain requires special gear such as crampons, warm clothing, a climbing axe, and ropes for navigating glaciers. This environment is unforgiving and demands intense focus. Every step is a testament to endurance and a battle against the elements, pushing participants to their physical limits.

A Peak Beyond Trauma

Despite these hurdles, asylum seekers residing in Switzerland report that these challenging environments provide a sense of freedom and tranquillity. Participants come from Palestine, Iran, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, among other places. The mountains offer a unique break from traumatic memories of war, imprisonment, and political persecution. Getting to the top of a peak becomes a powerful metaphor for overcoming personal adversity. This achievement delivers an immense sense of accomplishment, serving as confirmation that a person can conquer their emotional and physical limitations.

From Zagros to the Alps

The alpine landscape stirs different memories for different people. For Soroush Esfandiary, a 27-year-old from Iran, it brings to mind his childhood near the Zagros range. The mountains also recall his flight from his homeland. Four years have passed since he got to Switzerland, following a harrowing journey by foot over the peaks separating Iran and Turkey. He was suffering from a severe fever, even coughing up blood during the trek, but was too terrified to stop.

A Flight from Persecution

Esfandiary’s ordeal started after he joined the mass 2019 demonstrations in Iran, first sparked by a sharp rise in fuel costs. In Isfahan, authorities imprisoned him and placed him in isolation for a fortnight. When he was released to await his trial, he knew he had to flee the country. The escape was perilous, but the alternative was unthinkable. His journey reflects the desperation that drives many to seek refuge far from home.

A Newcomer's Ascent

In contrast, many participants have not spent significant time in mountain environments before. A 39-year-old from Ukraine, Diana Lysenko, shared that she instantly agreed to train for a 4,000-metre climb without knowing what it would entail. She points out that Ukraine's tallest peak is not even half the elevation of some mountains in the Swiss region. The sheer scale of the Alps was a new and intimidating world.

The War's Long Shadow

Lysenko decided to leave her home after understanding the Ukrainian crisis was worsening. She could no longer cope with the perpetual state of fear, taking cover from bombs at night and worrying her building would be next. As a former Kyiv resident, she recalled that the Russian invasion of towns around the capital caused the deaths of a number of her workmates. This personal loss and constant danger prompted her difficult decision to leave.

Finding a Global Village

A 26-year-old from Afghanistan, Alem Big Qaderi, who made it to Switzerland during 2023, conveyed that being in nature made him feel happy and safe. He described ascending peaks with individuals from across the planet as being part of a "global village." After the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan during August 2021, which caused thousands to escape, Qaderi was studying in Turkey and knew he could not return home.

Image Credit - Alpine Dreams

An Idea Born of Passion

The concept of taking refugees into the alpine regions of Switzerland originated with two women Alpinists. With her mountaineering companion Clémence Delloye, Laëtitia Lam started Peaks4All. Their shared love for the mountains and a desire to make a social difference was the main inspiration. They recognised that the challenges of mountaineering could foster unique bonds and build confidence among people who had lost everything.

Echoes of a Father's Flight

Lam has a personal connection to the cause through her father's story. For political reasons, he escaped Hong Kong and went to France, giving her a deep understanding of the refugee experience. This background fuels her work and a primary objective for Peaks4All: bridging the gap between asylum seekers and local Swiss populations. Lam observed that numerous displaced people lead secluded lives and wanted to create new opportunities through the organisation's courses.

Growth of a Community

What began as a one-time initiative with a small number of participants has since blossomed into a thriving community. It now includes more than two hundred displaced people from various nations, including Nigeria, Syria, Turkey, Sudan, and Mongolia. The organisation also relies on thirty mountain guides and forty volunteers to deliver its programmes safely and effectively. This network of support is crucial to its success.

A Rising Tide of Women Climbers

A significant achievement for Peaks4All has been the surge in female participation. The number of women in the group now exceeds forty percent, a notable increase from almost zero at the start. This statistic highlights the organisation's success in creating an inclusive environment. It actively breaks down barriers that might otherwise prevent refugee women from participating in such physically demanding and culturally unfamiliar activities.

The Annual Ascent

Starting in 2022, Peaks4All began organising one major annual ascent. That year, the group scaled the 4,153-metre Bishorn. The following year, in 2023, they climbed the Allalinhorn, which stands at 4,027 metres. In September 2024, another team successfully made it to the top of the 3,925-metre Ulrichshorn. These expeditions are significant undertakings that require months of preparation and commitment from everyone involved.

Beyond the Summit

The group also organises frequent, less demanding treks and various mountain-based activities. These include canyoning, bouldering, snowshoeing, and glacier walking, which happen throughout the year. These regular events help build skills, maintain physical fitness, and consistently strengthen the sense of community. They ensure that the benefits of the programme are not limited to a single yearly event but are woven into the participants' lives.

The Strength Within

The initial integration into Swiss life can be quite challenging for many. This is why Peaks4All presents an incredible opportunity. Lysenko added that climbing helped her tap into a personal strength she was unaware she possessed. The physical act of ascending a mountain translates into a psychological shift. Participants begin to see themselves not just as displaced people defined by their past, but as capable mountaineers defined by their strength and resilience.

More Than a Mountain

Soroush Esfandiary elaborated that the organisation is about more than just climbing. He described the participants as a diverse group of individuals from around the world, bonded by their shared pasts. He emphasised that all of them are in Switzerland looking for peace. At Peaks4All, they have built an extraordinary family where one's country of origin and spoken language do not matter.

Image Credit - Alpine Dreams

The Science of Nature's Solace

Utilising nature for mental wellness and trauma recovery is an idea building momentum and academic interest. Research shows that physical activities like climbing can be therapeutic. Studies have demonstrated that climbing therapy can reduce symptoms of depression and enhance feelings of self-efficacy. UK-based initiatives like "Dose of Nature" promote the mental wellness advantages of engaging with the natural world.

A Therapeutic Process

The psychological benefits are receiving increased attention from researchers. Studies focusing on adolescent refugees in Lebanon found that climbing interventions improved well-being, distress, and social cohesion. This type of "adventure therapy" provides a safe environment for participants to profit from increased physical activity while processing trauma. The results contribute to a better understanding of how sport can positively affect psychological health, particularly for those who have experienced extreme hardship.

Integration in the Confederation

Across Europe, including Switzerland, many displaced people report significant difficulties with integration. A BFH research project reveals that asylum seekers often feel their efforts for recognition are a struggle, leaving them feeling stuck. Many find official procedures cumbersome and vexatious. The political sentiment in numerous countries has become more right-leaning, adding another layer of difficulty for those seeking refuge. This makes community-based initiatives even more vital.

A System Under Strain

In 2024, Switzerland anticipated a 10% rise in the number of people seeking asylum. This increase places additional strain on resources, with the State Secretariat for Migration reporting a shortage of thousands of beds in federal asylum centres. Authorities are working with the army and cantons to provide more accommodation, including civil defence facilities. However, poor living conditions in some temporary shelters have been highlighted as a concern.

Mountains Without Borders

The mountains themselves play a crucial role in the healing process. They are neutral territories, devoid of the political and social divisions that have shaped the lives of the refugees. The alpine landscape reminds Alem Big Qaderi of the peaks from his youth. He added that for him, mountains do not have a nationality; they evoke a sense of home. This sentiment captures the essence of Peaks4All’s impact.

A Future Forged in the Heights

Peaks4All provides more than just an escape; it offers a new perspective. Upon getting to the top, participants reclaim a sense of agency and control over their lives. The shared struggle and triumph forge a powerful, unspoken bond that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. The organisation demonstrates that the path to integration and healing does not always lie in official processes, but can be found on the windswept peaks of the Alps.