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Global News Podcast

The Happy Pod: Mountaintop matchmaking

Global News Podcast

BBC

Daily News, News

4.38.2K Ratings

🗓️ 16 August 2025

⏱️ 28 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In the Swiss mountains, handwritten notes left on mountain peaks have been turning scenic climbs into unexpected matchmaking journeys, bringing nature lovers together one hike at a time.

Dubbed “Mountain Tinder”, couples are meeting through notebooks tucked into mountaintop letterboxes. The movement is spreading beyond Switzerland, inspiring similar efforts as far away as Argentina. With no swipes or algorithms, it’s a love story written in the clouds.

Also: the couple in Tasmania who have taken tackling homelessness into their own hands; a group of actors who bring the joy of theatre to remote communities in Finland -- by touring on a boat; and how Strictly Come Dancing's first celebrity with Down's Syndrome is inspiring others.

Transcript

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0:00.0

This is the happy pod from the BBC World Service.

0:07.3

I'm Jonat Jolil and in this edition, turning to nature to find love.

0:11.8

The person has come to the summit, so they most likely love nature and mountains.

0:18.8

The first common point is established, and it makes it easier to meet

0:22.4

people and for things to work out. The Mountain Visitor Book setting people up on dates.

0:28.2

The couple providing low-cost accommodation for older women facing homelessness.

0:33.3

I've always wanted to do something about the homeless, but it's never been within our reach.

0:38.5

And this one fell within our reach. And we thought, well, let's just do it.

0:42.3

An unusual touring theatre company based on a boat and how a reality dancing show first is

0:50.2

inspiring people with Down syndrome. I am very excited because I am keen to raise the awareness

0:57.7

to put a really positive message out about ability rather than disability.

1:10.1

We start with some rather special little red books that are helping people find love in the mountains.

1:16.7

The idea was started by hiker Tibo Moni two years ago after he found himself wishing during a climb in the Swiss Alps that he had someone to share the view with.

1:26.6

So he decided to leave notebooks on a variety

1:29.2

of peaks for people to write messages for potential future partners, an alternative to dating

1:34.8

apps with the only algorithm being the ability to complete different climbs. The idea,

1:41.4

nicknamed Mountain Tinder, has spread,

1:48.8

with people as far away as Argentina saying they've started their own notebooks.

1:51.4

Chantal Hartle has been finding out more.

2:04.1

Kathy and Patrick set off on a hike from the foot of the Wanfleu Mountain.

2:07.5

It's a walk they've done many times together.

2:11.7

Awaiting them at the summit is not only an incredible view,

...

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