neděle 15. dubna 2012

How we did a winter traverse of the Vrancea Mountains.-continuation of the story



Day the 3rd- Toward the untamed heart of the Vrancea Mountains.

 
Stanele din goru at dawn.

The sleep was relaxed with no cold coming from the ground below us. Resting on wooden bed is the best option in winter conditions!
There was no hurry to wake up early for sunrise pictures. We got up at an easy 7:30 am time. To get ready for taking pictures required only putting boots and gaiters on and stepping outside. The temperature was low, while there was no wind and skies were clear. We repeated last evening scenario in the opposite order. Dawn pictures taken at first, sunrise pictures completed in the second row. 
                             Looking south-west from Stanele din Goru at dawn.
                                                                         Goru at dawn.

                                                                           Goru at dawn.
  
                                          Looking south-east from Stanele din Goru before sunrise.
                                                              At dawn at Stanele din Goru.
                                                         Stanele din Goru at sunrise.
                                                     Breakfast time at Stanele din Goru.

 Just when we were about to depart, a veil of mist approached from the north. We could see that above us was a clear sky and considered climbing to Goru Peak (1786 m), which is the tallest peak in the whole Vrancea Mountains. Knowing that we would lost a lot of time in deep snows, we opted to get as quickly as possible to Giurgiu peak, also higher than 1700 m. From that mountain we could see the scenery from a different angle of view, its sits just opposite to the Goru Peak. On the map it did not appeared too far away, and when viewed from the Lacauţi Peak it seemed to be close to Goru Peak.
                                        Arrows pointing in direction for Goru, Paraul Goru and Lacauti.

                                                                    Fog alternated with sun.

                                                                 Old forest below Goru.


                                                      Our traces on virgin snow below Goru.

                                                      It was difficult to chose the corect path.
                                                        Locating our position on our map.
                                                                     Taking the wrong way.


We bypassed an intersection with indicators showing directions to Goru Peak and to Pârâul Gorului. However this was a trail for somewhere in the summer. I can’t wait to get there in next summer! From here on we would be exploring on a terrain unfamiliar to us. Despite the fact that we had a map, it was difficult to steer through deep forests. Basically we had to remain on the crest, leading to south-east from the Goru Peak. On the road in front of us were pure snows. Our footprints were the only ones left on its white flawless surface. At first the road was leading in good direction, and later it turned southward. This was not good, we needed to keep in south-east direction. We deserted the road and kept on the ridge. There was a road, but we only discovered that the road descends to the north side to Zăbala River Valley. After descending a third of a kilometer we realized that we were heading in wrong direction and returned back to the crest. We were enveloped with fog, through which sun was shining at some spots. We walked through beautiful parts until we hit the road again. It was the same road, we abandoned less then an hour ago.
                                                        Searching for a correct path in the mist.

                                                           Going on trailless but beautiful section.
                                                         The forest road was a correct path.

The animal footprints showing that it turned around and returned on its own track (it probably was a weasel).
                                                                                  Forest decor.
                                                                Brown bear's track across the forest road.

                                                 Brown bear's track disappeared in the forest.

With new joy we continued down on the road. It led more to east-south-south direction than it was supposed to lead. On one spot we crossed paths with brown bear’s track. Later we stopped on sunlit corner to take a warm sip. The tea was so hot, that we needed to put snow inside to cool it a little. In this way we obtained more liquids. We suspected that we were on the wrong path, because to direction was almost towards south by now. Plus the road was descending. We guessed that the road must lead to Bâsca Mică Valley bottom. It was better to abandon the road here in favor for unclear trail leading east. This path led us through young coniferous forest covered with snow. On two spots we discovered tracks and dropings of a capercaillie, inhabitant of coniferous forest. The path turned almost in north direction and was overgrowned with trees on many places. Finaly we declined for going without a trail more to the left. Steep climb through old-growth forest brought us to the same road which we abandoned an hour ago. On the road there we saw our own prints, folowing them until we met with those bear’s prints. Climbing back to the top we tried to decide what to do next. Our priority was to go to east diretion, so Ioan went there to explore if there was any trail heading east. Out of blue, he called out the thick grove, that there is a road heading-eastward. The entrance was obscured by low hanging branches, clothed in white. The trail led in our dirrection, descending.
In thick forests I discovered a scrathed tree. At the height over one and a half of meter I found thin long curly tanned hair. At least this must be brown bear’s hair. The tree was used by the bear for demarking its territory. I took a hair sample and put it into a clear plactic bag. At home I wanted to show it to some people for correct determination. But this was not to be. I lost the sample somewhere farther into the trip. The trail descended abruptly and we got to a saddle in between two forested peaks. There was a clearing and we stopped there for a lunch. It was 1 o’clock pm. It was quite warm on the sun and snow started to be wet on sun-exposed areas. It was a sign that temperatures were rising.
                                                                     Bear's tree in wild forest.

                                   Going down into a saddle where we had a lunch. Our trail continued on those                                                    hills on the other side of the saddle.

                                                              Looking back, from where we came.

The climb from the saddle was steep, almost without a trail. Once we got to the top, we could se nothing but a solid forest. Map and a compass were the only tools to keep us on the right tracks. Ioan repeatedly checked his compass to keep us heading east. There were no features in the lanscape, only steep forested slopes, with no clue leading to the crest.
After another hour had passed, the terrain became nearly level. There was not anything to be seen around us, but a closed woodland. Crossing bear’s track for the third time today we thought that it is good that we made no direct encounter with a large carnivore. It was clear that wildlife has very sharp hear and it maintains safety distance of any possibly dangerous human being. In this part we walked separated by a distance of about 50 m, Ioan intentionally stopped and stood still, just listening. Then he said, that the noise of my steps would scare any wildlife away before we had a chance to spot it.
                                                                     Brown bear again!


Right here we decided to make a spin to the left and continue toward the east. If we kept going in the direction we were heading in the last stretch (ridge led to the south) we would arrive at the Giurgiu Peak by the nightfall. After ten minutes we entered in a mountain meadow. Our difficulty with the map-reading was that we overvalued the distance covered by us. We basically walked lesser distance, then we thought, in those profound snows. Having had no point of reference we simply hadn’t knew that the Giurgiu Peak was so close in front of us. 
                                                                         Emerging on a meadow.

                                                                 All was silent and beautifull.

                                         In deep snows on the high meadow below Giurgiu Peak.


                                                           Following a water course for a while.
                                                     Big high meadow below Giurgiu Peak.

 There was a watercourse descending all the way through the meadow and we followed its line, until we got to the forest margin. Besides there was a rim of a side vale, leading to the main basin of the Zăbala River. Slopes were abrupt, that was why we opted to set off on the edge, which proved to be a lesser ridge named Culmea Prelunca, leading somewhere to the vicinity of Caldarile Zăbalei zone, at least we contemplated  it. In fact the ridge descended to the place called Cabanele Giurgiu.
To our delight there was a good trail on the crest, simple to follow, with nearly no snow cover on it. The path was also used by a lonely capercaillie ahead of us, and we followed its track for a kilometer or somewhat like this. At the junction we took left, in the direction of north, anxious that following the trail to the east we would appear excessively faraway from Cabanele Giurgiu. The trail led us downward all the way through northern slope, with almost no snow cover. What a discrepancy, on not distant meadow right above us, there was a bunch of snow, but here deep woods did not permitted snow to drop on the soil. In less then an hour later we were in the bottom of the side valley. The way was icy, but easy to follow. We noticed an ideal asylum made by forest staff, where would be comfortable to spent night time. It was still early, so we gambled on discovery of a further shelter at Cabanele Giurgiu.
After getting into the main valley with flat bottom, we walked briskly to our destination of the day. There were no bridges in the valley. They were not added, because trucks carrying logs have no need for them, instead of bridges there were numerous fords. We needed to wade in the water at least for three times. Luckily the water level was much lower then it was in summer and we had no problem other, than wetting our boots a little more. They were already damp from walking in wet snow during the day.
                                                          Flat bottom of the Zabala river valley.

                                                                        Zabala River in winter.

Arriving at Cabanele Giurghiu at dark we promptly explore the area with several buildings. One of them was not locked and had several rooms inside it, equipped with beds and wood stove. Rooms were cozy enough to encourage us to sleep in safety, within four walls.
                                                               Indicator showing direction.

                                                                        Inside the building.

We put off our rucksacks from tired shoulders and went out to bring water. This time we had running water in the river and did not need to melt snow. The evening felt very comfortable, even though the room temperature was probably sub zero. Outside it was freezing much more. The temperature outside would drop at about  -10°C by the morning.
The night was much more pleasant than previous two nights. Because there was nothing to photograph, since we were at the bottom of the valley, we enjoyed the calm of the long winter evening without doing any work other then preparing hot drinks and food. Later we had time to talk more about ouf feelings. I felt very comfortable to make a connection with Ioan’s family. It was surprising for him to hear my explanation, that before we two met on last Christmas in the Nemira Range, I made no close connection with anybody in Romania. Even though I was visiting here regularly since 1996. I explained that my trips were focused on crossing main ridges in the mountains, discovering natural wonders in the Apuseni Mountains and with almost no contacts with locals, except meeting with an occasional shepherd, village elder etc. When I descended from a mountain, I aboarded on the train or a bus and went home. Plus when I was travelling with other czech people, we were like a closed circle, making no serious connections with anyone outside that bubble. Last Christmas made the difference and since this time, not one of my current romanian trips was like it used to be before. There was only a single exception. In 1999 I met with a girl, called Andreea. She was from Mediaş and we met in Cheile Râmetului, in the Apuseni Mountains. We kept in touch for a year or something, but never reunited. I lost a contact with her. I think she must be married by this time, having a family. Who knows.

Day the 4th-Double topping-climbing Pietrosul and Zboina Frumoasa peaks in a single day.

                                                              Leaving the Zabala river valley at dawn.

We woke up early, well before sunrise. On that day we wanted to climb Pietrosu Peak, towering right above us. The tourist indicator standing just outside the cottage showed a distance od 5 hour to get to the peak. This information was exagerated we thought.  Actually the peak was less then three hours away. The distance to the village of Vetreşti-Herăstrău, where we wanted to get today was indicated as 8 hours of walking.
At the beggining I did a stupid thing of refilling my gasoline heater. I kept gasoline stored in a clear PET bottle in duration of the trip. I grabbed a bottle from the table a put the liquid into the heater tank. After giving 50 strokes on the pump, I turned on the regulator and tried to light the burner. To no avail. Gas was running out but it wasn’t burning. What went wrong? A while later, after several futile attempts to lit the heater, I discovered that I used a bottle with water to refill the tank. I mistakenly grabbed a bottle, filled with water from the river, instead a bottle with gasoline! Well, then. I tried to get water out and replace it with new gasoline. It didn’t work, due to a costruction of the Coleman Peak 1 stove, the content of the tank can not be extracted without removing the burner. This I was afraid to do, because of the damage on the generator needle I did on the very first evening.  In that way I remained without important part of the equipment. Beiing without a stove in winter is more serious then in summer, when there is a lot of running water.
We prepared breakfast on Ioan’s gas stove and set off at day break. The sky was clear and the air was still in the valley. It was freezing, but we warmed up when climbing toward a mountain pasture called Golul Pietrosului. The meadow sits in a wide saddle in betwen Pietrosu and Zboina Frumoasa.


                                                           Climbing toward Golul Pietrosului.

                                                   Solitary beech tree below Golul Pietrosului.

                                     Sunrise at Golul Pietrosului. Zboina Frumoasa in backdrop.
                                               Looking toward Goru from Golul Pietrosului.

                                                                       A way to Pietrosu Peak.

                                                                 Ioan at Golul Pietrosului.
                                                        Beech tree on fire at Golul Pietrosului.

                                                Frosty snow on logs at Golul Pietrosului.

                                                    Winter decoration at Golul Pietrosului.

Reaching the saddle at sunrise we took photographs first. The saddle was windy and suddenly we felt cold. Later, when the finest colours were gone, we decide what to do next. We realized that if we made an attempt on Pietrosu we would not make it to Vetreşti-Herăstrău by daylight. The better option was to prolong our stay in the mountains by one more night. In that case we would get to Zboina Frumoasa and Lapus Mare peaks. In addition from there it will be much storter distance to get back to civilisation. Since I was eager to stay longer in the Vrancea Mountains and getting to Zboina Frumoasa was on my wish list for more then two decades by now, there was no leeway I would say no to such an offer!

                                                             Thick forest below Pietrosul Peak.
 Hidding our rucksacks under a tree we set off for the summit. We were already at altitude of over 1300 m, so the peak was not far away. We were just a little afraid of the safety of the food, since there were bear’s footprints in the snow on a nearby forest road. Higher on the ridge we entered very thick forest, through which walking was quite labourious. Nevertheless we made it. Later we found a track of a capercaillie and a bear.  At the first peak we stopped for a while. The views over the Vrancea were incredible. 
                                                                      Reaching the ridge.

                                                          "Group" photo below Pietrosul.
                                                                      Brown bear again!
                                                            "Self-portrait" below Pietrosul.


                                                                       Capercaillie prints.


                                                           Mount Coza seen from Pietrosul.

                                                           Ioan taking pictures on Pietrosul.

                                         Looking at Izvoarele Narujei from Pietrosul. Nemira Range in backdrop.
Bucegi and Fagaras seen from Pietrosul. Our yesterday's track is also visible. Giurghiu is on the left margin. Just folow the front forested ridge from right to the left.
                                                                             Penteleu ridge.

Later we walked on the crest, until we reached the terminus point. From there view opened toward the north. In this part we clearly saw the Nemira range, Golul Cozei, Izvoarele Narujej, and Dealul Negru. On the west we saw Penteleu, Goru, Bucegi Mts., Făgăraş Mts. On the south just opposite us were Zboina Frumoasa and...sea of clouds. On the east there was Magura Odobeşti and again a sea of clouds. We were overlooking almost the whole Vrancea Mountains.The description of the Vrancea Mountains I saw for the first time in 1988 red: “Even far away Zboina, Coza, and Furu make a part of the Vrancea Mountains.” (“Chiar si departatele Zboina, Coza, si Furul fac parte din muntii Vrancei.”) The descripton was related to a view from the Goru Peak, but it also fitted to a watch from Pietrosu Peak. Back in 1988 it did not occur to me that it would take me more then 20 years to see it with my own eyes. The citation comes from a book “Carpathian Games” by a well know czech author who spent a quater of century exploring mountains of Romania in between early 1960s and late 1980s. The book was also in print in Romania by a publisher named Tribuna, Cluj in 2007.

                                          

                                         Giurgiu Peak was opposite us. In backdrop is Bucegi Mountains.

                                                     Ioan taking pictures atop Pietrosul.
                                                 Cabanele Giurgiu seen from Pietrosul.


                          Magura Odobesti, an important landmark on the east side of the Vrancea Mountains. A view toward Herastrau.
                                         Mount Coza, Mount Cristianu, Saua Geamana seen from Pietrosul peak.

I told Ioan that  here in the mountains of Romania, the valleys are so big that a whole czech mountain masiff would fit into a single valley in the Vrancea Mountains. Such an impression had a view over the range from the Pietrosu Peak.
                                               Zboina Frumoasa seen from Pietrosul Peak.

 The descend was uneventfull. We picked up our backpacks from under a tree. They were untouched. I must say that we saw no people in the Vrancea Mountains, with a an exclusion of a forest worker at Bâsca Mare River valley and a meteorolog atop Lacauţi Peak.
                                                               Beech trees on Golul Pietrosului.
                                      Beech forest in Romania looks differently than in my country.
                                               Searching for a correct path in dark woods.
                                                               Marked trail found!
 
 Walking on Golul Pietrosului, enjoying the views of the mountains, nothing left to be wished. Our rucksacks were much lighter by now, easier to carry. We had some problems to navigate our way to the meadow under Zboina Frumoasa. There was a maze of old forest roads and it was dificult to decide which route to take next. We checked photographs taken high on Pietrosul, which helped us a little. Here for the first time we met with beech forest. The central part of the Vrancea is covered in continuous coniferous woodland. Only on east and west there are beech forests.
                                                    Big meadow below Zboina Frumoasa.

                                                                 Walking toward the sun.

                                                                    At rest at sunlit meadow.

                             Wooden box for shepherds used for sleeping close to animals in summer season.

                                                  High meadow below Zboina Frumoasa.

                                                                    We come from the sun.

                                                     Finding bear's track below Zboina Frumoasa.

Later we get onto a forested ridge, where we reunited with tourist marking. Marks were old, however the trail was obvious. Arriving at the meadow brought a big relief to us. There we rested on the sun for a while, sitting on a patch of dry winter grass. The meadow was snowed in and and on its margin there was a sheepfold. It would be nice to spent a night here. After renewing our body energy with a chocolate we continued toward Zboina Frumoasa. Since there was only tall forest atop, we did not plan to climb there. The marked path makes a detour a meets with another marking coming from the east. Here we reunited with the trail which Ioan took on last Easters. I remembered it from reading his article. This time we will be walking in opposite direction. Zboina Frumoasa is over 1600 m high and the decend to Lapoşul Mare was about 400 m. It went through dark forests, mainly on a forest road system, linking village of Nereju with Zboina Frumoasa. 
                                                                             They were old.

                                              Yet another bear's track below Zboina Frumoasa.

                                                                 Wild forest below Zboina Frumoasa.
                                                                        Looking toward Furu.

                                                                Sunset behind Penteleu.
                                                     Evening in the Vrancea Mountains.
                                                        A walk toward Laposul Mare.
                                                   Twilight wedge above Magura Odobesti.
                                                             Sheepfolds at Laposul Mare area.
                                                                              After sunset.
                           If you want to make pictures after sunset don't forget to bring your tripod. 
                                                                             By the fire at night.

                                                                           Inside our shelter.


We got to Lapoşul Mare past sunset. At the forest margin we spoted a woden box, with two benches inside and a table. It was new and used by forest stuff as a resting place. There was a writting above the entrance oppening, saying:  “Place for smoking and taking a rest.” The box was inviting to spend a night here. Just beside there were two dead trees, which could serve as a fuel source. We needed to build a fire in order to thaw snow for water.
First we took off a little farther to explore a different refuge. The building was much larger and it was clean inside. But outside there was a slight breeze, which was powerfull enough to chill us, if we would stand next to the fire outside. I talked Ioan into returning to the first building.
With ease we build a fire just next to our “hotel.” Melting snow on a fire was a joy, because of the heat coming from it.  We only had to be carefful not to burn our hands or equipment in the fire.
This time we could have as much hot tea as we wished, since we had no limits on firewood. The source would endure for several evenings. The tea had a smoked taste, quite a difference form a tea prepared on the stove. One must get to be acustomed to it and for a first timer this fact can be little surprising. Since there were no doors at the entrance, we put a plastic cover over the openning. At night we laid on wooden benches, feeling perfectly warm.

Day the 5th-A long way to civilisation.

The morning dawned clear and cold. Because of our wet boots, which felt uncomfortable to wear, we did not rush for early morning photos. I suspect, that if we had dry and warm boots we got up a little earlier and wentured farther out. We opted just for a couple of shots taken from nearby the door. 
                                                                        Before sunrise.

                                                       Another perfect morning in the mountains.

We used Ioan’s stove to rewarm a tea prepared yesterday, ate a little from our provisions and set off for the finall stretch of the journey. We supposed it would take us three hours to get to the nearest village, which we supossed it should be Vetreşti-Herastrau. If we wanted to descent to Nereju village it would be even faster. But somehow we wanted to get to Herastrau. Ioan told me that there lives his friend, whom he met in last summer during the remarking action. If we arrive soon enough in the valley we could meet with her.
From Lapoşul Mare we continued in the north-east direction on the subsidiary ridge. At first the road was easy to follow. Below us was a sea of clouds. Later we get at he margin of the clouds, which had a great potential for taking photographs with sun and fog at the same time. So we used remaining energy in our camera batteries there.
                                                              Looking into foggy vale.

                                                                         Still above the clouds.
                                                                      At a margin of clouds.

                                                              Capturing the magical moment.
                                                              Heading down, leaving pastures behind us.
                                                        Wild beech forest at the last leg of the trip.

At one place the road split. It was difficult to take a decision. We thought it would be better to keep to the north instead of east. So we kept always in north direction. At some places we went on roadless part. Nevertheless we descended and that was what we neded to do. The descent was steep and finaly we emerged inside a large white valley.
Because it was foggy, we could not see much what was around us. Soon we hit the road and chose to follow it to the left. A while later it seemed to be taking a big detour to the left and we prefered going straight on, so we abandoned the road and descended through the forest. At first it was easy, walking in a beautifull and surprisingly wild beech forest. Then the valley narrowed and become a canyon. The best option was to climb on the opposite side, where we got onto a narow edge, terminating with abrupt slopes on three sides. From there we saw first cottages. The slide down was quite difficult, although we managed it safely, crossed the brook and emerged on a sunlit meadow. There was no snow on the ground, we have left winter behind us in the mountains. 
                                                              First view of human setlements. 

                                  We got there, leaving the mountains behind us.

We heard some noise and soon we met with locals, who walked beside a horse-powered cart, loaded with hay. Ioan chatted with them for a while and asked them what year was, explaining that we lost traces of dates when being up there in the mountains.
                                       Meeting with locals. Ioan jokingly asked them what year was.
 
Following a narow path we crossed a rivulet on wooden bridge and climbed on steep muddy road toward first houses seen at the margin of the valley. This view reminded me himalayan village, its mudy road, wooden houses no sight of power lines. When we got among houses, it proved to be more modern one, being not like those remote villages in the Himalaya, off course.
                                        A Himalayan scene in the Vrancea Mountains.
                                              Climbing still "Himalaya looking" road.
                                                        Later streets gained european look.
                                                A bridge across the river, village Vetresti-Herastrau.
                                                A group photo at a bus stop in Vetresti-Herastrau.
 We quickly discovered that there was a bus leaving at 1 pm. Now it was 12 o’clock. We visited a local store to buy something to drink and eat. I was asked by locals whether we saw a wolf. I answered no, but said that we crossed bear’s track several times. Those men laughed at this, arguing then bear is not dangerous to man, only wolf is dangerous. Myself I don’t think that either animal is dangerous. It depend on our attitude and behaviour, when we are in the mountains. I know that fear of large carnivores is universal throughout the world. But here in Romania, large carnivores seemed to have more acceptance than in my own country, where they had been exterminated in late 19. century. They are  slowly returning to our territory since 1970s, but the prospects of their future are uncertain, because of urban over-development in our parts. Mountains in Romania are much bigger, thus ensuring that with a certain respect for wildlife from man, big mammals will survive to the next century.
We aboarded a bus and at 1 pm it departed from the mountains. Unfortunately, we did not make it to meet with Ioan’s friend in Herastrau. She lived in other part of the village, some 6 km away from the point, where we descended from mountains.
We changed busses at Focşani and arrived at Bucharest past 5 pm. We still had a time to visit an exhibition in Cercul Militar hall, where Ioan’s father and Ioan himself held and exhibiion of paintings and photographs, respectively. There I met with his parents. Then we visited his aunt place, where we met with his sisters, Irina and Maria. We learned that Maria is leaving to the Vrancea Mountains on the very next morning. They had planned to spent a New year’s eve at a sheepfold on Mount Coza. I was a little disappointed, not to be able to join. But our trip in the Vrancea Mountains was an adventure at its fullest, so I was perfectly satisfied with it, having had no desire to go anywhere.
                                                     An exhibition at Cercul Militar, Bucharest.
                                                     Me at the exhibition in Bucharest.
                                                             Meeting with girls in Bucharest.

Day the 6th-A Rest day
On the next day we moved to Breaza for the final evening. The evening itself was uneventfull, even if it was the last day of the year 2011. We dinned, watched a movie and then went to sleep well before midnight as if it was an ordinary night.
                                                     Sunset on the 31st of December, Breaza.


Day the 7th-Journey home


                                                                     Town's Hall in Brasov.


Next morning we woke up early and set off to catch our trains. Ioan was headed to Slanic Prahova and I went to Braşov. Having arrived there I still had 5 hour left, so I deposited my backpack at a railway station and set off to see city’s center in it’s winter coat. I climbed the Tâmpa peak above the city’s center for an overview of the area. I knew no one in Braşov, so I spent those final hours alone.

            On Piata Sfatului in the centre of Brasov. Tampa Peak in backdrop. I climbed it via "Drumul             Serpentinelor." This trail leads in serpentines just below the cable way line.


                                       Natural preserve Tampa. In spring orchids occur in its forests.
                                                        Cable way climbing up the Tampa.
                                                         Brasov depression seen from atop Tampa.
                                                         An animal rarely seen in Brasov.
                                                           The Black Church seen from Tampa.
                                                     Town's Hall at Piata Sfatului seen from Tampa.
                                                               Stadium seen from high on Tampa.


On the next morning I arrived at home. I felt very relaxed with the trip, thinking that it was a real adventure. The echo of the event was alive for next several weeks after my return home, thus inspiring my ordinary days at a city for future adventures in romanian mountains. 

The End

4 komentáře:

  1. As I expected, this second past was enjoying to read, just like the first. I particularly like the photos with mist between the trees. There's something about mist that makes everything look and feel epic.

    In other words, have you decided about your 28-1st of May trip? Where are you going?

    OdpovědětVymazat
  2. Thank you again, Andrei. I have written the article in three writing sessions, so I maintained to keep the same style in all parts. At least I hopped it would look like that.

    The mist really works great at some images. It gives them the right look, especially if there are some contrasting subjects as trees or sunlight.

    I am thinking hard about the trip. I talked to Ioan and Serban Simbotelecan, but for now there is no firm plan yet. You destination seems inviting because Valea Cernei is a warm part of Romania. After discussion with Ioan I gave up entirely the idea for Hasmas, there is still a lot of snow.
    Keep in touch.

    OdpovědětVymazat
  3. Well, if it's useful in any way for you, I'll give you my schedule for that weekend: I'll arrive in Herculane around 2pm on the 28th, I'll wander in Cernei until Monday evening, I'll go back to Herculane and climb Domogled Tuesday in the morning and then ride the train to Bucharest. Maybe it helps. As you see, I don't have 4 days full of mountains, but I'm sure it will be enough.

    OdpovědětVymazat
  4. Thank you for interesting information. I will be talking with Ioan next week about the romanian trip. For now I can't promise you anything. I will keep your invitation in my mind. ;-D If we will not meet this time, no problem I will come again soon.

    OdpovědětVymazat