Vanatoarea lui Buteanu

Mid summer, last year. With my brother I've intended the renew the climbing of Fagaras north ridges. This time we've climbed Vantoarea lui Buteanu, it was the 3rd time for me.

Balea Lake chalet, without snow ;)



This is the peak, in the background, above 2500m:



On Buteanu ridge:

Near Capra lake:

Sunset over Balea lake:

Caprei saddle:

Balea by night:

Paltinu tower, next day:

Machu Picchu (Coltii Balei):

Air Bucegi

Sunday was a big day ! After saturday's storm we were eager to do a great mountain tour. And it was ! Five mountaineers (and later on we were nine !) started the assault of the ridges going to Vf. Omu, top of Bucegi. The chosen upgoing path was "Creasta Balaurului (Bucsoiul Mic)" and the return path was "Creasta Morarului - Braul Mare al Morarului". The weather was perfect with 16C degrees at 14 o'clock, when in the country was 38C ! Going to nothern parts of Bucegi was the right choice.

Caraimanul and Blidul Uriasilor:



Balaurul, keeping the entry of the ridge:



A glimps of Creasta Morarului, our way back:



Starting the ascent of Balaur ridge:



On Balaur:



Here I did an extra optin, while my friends were heading to Omul: view of Balaurul ridge from Bucsoiul Peak:

Meteo Omul, spaceship:

On top of the top, of the top... You can't go any higher !

Costila Rocket:

Our way down, near Acele Morarului:

Edelweiss, floare de colt....

The girl and the ogre:

Hurry up, it's time to return safe home:

"Creasta ascutita", maybe the most aerial ridge on a non alpine route (without technical materials). (adica un loc f.f. bun de plantat morcovi :D)

I've returned on the ridge, trying to get a better photo:

Climbing down the ridge, (it is the piramyd shaped one, on top of the photo, the rightside of the sun)

Sunset view of Costila north face, with Urzicii valley:

Vulcanic bike !

Last saturday I was for the first time in Vulcan and Holbav by bike ! And really it is an excellent MTB terrain out there !

Bucegi on the way:

And Piatra Craiului:

Local, peaceful cow ! 100% bio !

smoky clouds:

Marius reloaded ! (and patched) after the three days before spectacular cascade !

Soo many roads !

Rural landscape:

Magura Codlei near our bike trail:

Late hour, time to go back ! next day will be a looong hike on top of Romania:

Ciubotea, lower part

It's 27 Mai and I am for the 7th wekend in a row in Bugcegi. Meanwile the snow is gone and the sun hits too strong. After 3km of forrestier road I am down, hit by the heat :( Luckily there is a party at the local "Mountain patrol" refuge. So eat, drink, party and siesta. With the last energy I manage to go up to 1750m just for a glimpse ot the towers in the backgroud of the valley. And to see a promising way up to Lancea peak.

Just an air of Dolomites:

And back in the forrest:

Doreii cu ATV-ul

Yesterday, in Poiana Brasov:

One hour with the ATV is 120 lei. This is much cheaper, I think ;)

Blood & Bike

! Warning: the following images are not for the faint hearted !

Yesterday, another biking day, from Poiana Brasov over Tampa, the classic, the best descent in the area, despite some fallen trees, remained from the last spring's big storm.





The descent was great, until the last stright line, before the asphalt of the Tampa alleys. There, a rock raised in front of Marius wheel. The result was a small desaster, a broken wheel, and a visit to the city hospital :(



Mountainbiking is a dangerous sport, sometimes it remainds us this brutally, but important is to respect the safety rules and keep on biking !

We don't bike, we fly !

After last sunday's weather has ruined our plans, we've decided to take advantage of the first opportunity we can. So yesterday the weather was much better, and we've ride up "valea cu Apa", towards Poiana Brasov, and then rolling down in Tampei saddle and Brasov.

This is Marius, full speed ahead:

Enyoing a beer (and waiting for the bear :)) in Tampa saddle: