By admin 
The concept of wellness has the world in a chokehold. Between the ability to track every body metric and a wealth of devices marketed to cure any ailment, it’s hard not to get swept up in a routine of comfort, recovery, and health. Yet, all of these things don’t leave much room to question what wellness actually is.
Swiss mountain brand Mammut, known for challenging the status quo in mountain culture (anyone remember their Mountain Rescue Squad campaign?), wasn’t satisfied with defining wellness through comfort-led routines. Rather than finding balance through seclusion and safety, Mammut challenges these ideals, arguing that introducing friction in uncontrolled environments promotes greater personal growth.
So, they created the Unwellness Retreat, which takes people out of the controlled environment of a five-star spa and into the mountains under the guidance of mountain professionals. Mammut first tested this idea in the mountains of Chile with three wellness creators led by mountaineer and unwellness guru, Spencer Harkins.
The Unwellness Retreat reimagined traditional wellness activities, such as finding balance, stretching and recovery, and trust falls, as mountain-based activities like high-lining, ice climbing, and a search-and-rescue mission. Sounds relaxing!
“In a new era of friction-maxxing, wellness is losing its edge. Softer routines, calmer spaces and fewer challenges may soothe us temporarily, but they do not help us grow for good. The mountains demand attention, preparation and adaptability: the opposite of stagnation in comfort. That is the idea behind the Unwellness Retreat: not to reject wellbeing, but to challenge the belief that growth comes from making life easier,” said Nic Brandenberger, Chief Marketing (Unwellness) Officer at Mammut.
The result of the inaugural Unwellness Retreat is a three-part film series documenting the experiences of the three creators, “without presenting the mountains as therapy or a shortcut to wellbeing. Instead, the episodes show the mountains as a place where capability, vulnerability, and personal growth are shaped through direct experience,” read a press release on the series. Episodes will be released on October 12, 14, and 18 via Mammut’s Instagram and YouTube.
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For those curious to explore their own version of ‘Unwellness,’ Mammut is opening these experiences to the public. From October 18-23, participants can join Mammut, Zalando, Bergfuchs, and Bächli Bergsport to spend the night on an underground portaledge in Verzasca Dam in Ticino, Switzerland. Training with the equipment, safety techniques, and procedures will be provided in the days leading up to a night on the wall.
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Mammut is also developing Unwellness experiences in Norway and France that emphasize growth, adaptation, and learning. More information on The Unwellness Retreat us available at Mammut.
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This story was originally published October 9, 2026 at 9:37 AM.