Oh my feet and ankles hurt!
Did the walk over the gap between the two mountains, they call it the saddle.
Not thinking too much and wanting to keep up with the swiss boys record of 5 and a half hours from yesterday, I set off at a decent pace.
The walk is astounding! The first part is woodland and as it gets steeper it gets interesting, the stream is clear and beautiful the woodland is caught in a tight crevice and many trees are split fallen and making for an interesting scene. As you look up you begin to get an idea that the scale of these mountains dwarfs a little chubby bald white man.
I assumed the path would take me somewhere around the mountain.
I was wrong! On the way here the average temperature was 24-26 degrees but as i climbed I first noticed the lack of trees and then increasing amount of shrubbery, then I noticed the pack ice in the deepest parts of the ravine. About 500m from the top the clouds came in and enveloped me and i could see only a few hundred metres.
Then the rain / hale began. Ive brought a t shirt a scarf and some sun block!
At the top of the saddle occasionally the wind cleared the fog and the view was just incredible. I could see the smallest of towns in the valley - Zdiar- and to the other side the rest of the mountain range, patches of snow and spectacular views and cloud lines.
Walking in the rain was a little pissy but then I remembered theres warm clothes and tea back in the hostel and the advantage of no waterproof gear is I could go so much quicker than the other walkers. They were getting on my wick with how slow they were going!
The views were fantastic, the mountains unfurled one after another and the sound of the thunder echoed from the rock faces, the path had turned into a rich red stream about 3 or 4 inches deep and I was cracking on to the first lake. This was so clear, the mountain water was crystal and very cold.
The second lake had a cafe near it so I pushed on. You can hear the waterfalls cascading down the rock faces and filling the streams below, the path turned into boulders and I turned a left corner and there was the cafe with the lake behind it and the most awe-inspiring views up the sheer mountain face Ive ever seen.
Ive never seen anything quite like it, there is certainly nothing in England like this. Its huge, majestic and inspiring. While the run up the mountain was fun, this made the whole thing worthwhile. During Gulash in the cafe i noticed everyone else was dry and couldn’t work out why.
The run down the mountain is by a track road, thats why everyone was dry, they hadnt suffered the thunderstorm at the top of the mountain but had come via a tourists route!
This route followed the stream back down which was so full on and clear and made you think of bible stories by its unique pureness!
At the bottom I had a choice to catch the bus at this point or to continue on a blue path for another two hours. I did the blue path. wish I hadnt!
Quit when your ahead, the blue path was mud and nothing special but at least Id finished the whole thing.
I’m exhausted, feet really hurt, ache deep in my bones but the views and the sceanery, the completion of the seven hour hike was worth it…Id do it again today…
‘cept I have other plans involving a small comfortable ride on a motorbike to see a castle…
Sounds beautiful………x
Hello you. Lovely to read another of your more poetic reflections. Hope the feet are enjoying being back on the pedals! xxx
Keep on keeping on mate. Sounds bloody great. just waiting for one of those poetic romantic stories that will fall in your direction.
Stay safe!
Lovely to chat to you - sorry the reason for the call was not deep and meaningful, but sometimes the daftest things seem important at the time! Enjoy yourself xxx