Stejarii seculari

Ten days ago, we started by bike from Poiana Brasov, on the marked trail path toward Cristian. It was a really beautiful bike, quite short, with no technical difficulties but o a very beautiful forrest path. Near Cristian we can see some big old trees:

Bike: Barsa Fierului

Last saturday it was the time to explore the ridgres between Poiana Marului and Piatra Craiului.

A nice sightseeing of Piatra Craiului north ridge, fron Turnu to Ascutit.



It wasn't me:



All the way up it was a very steep climbing, about 600m level difference:

A nice rest before rolling down the hills:

The spellbound of Piatra Craiului

It was a full Piatra Craiului weekend having 2 targets: doing the complete ridge in one day and taking nice down/sunrise pictures.

The first target was a succes: day 1: Plaiul Foii - Umerii - Marele Grohotis - Braul Rosu - Saua Funduri.
day 2: Funduri - Creasta Sudica - Creasta Nordica (Ascutit) - Braul Cioranga Ramura de sus - Plaiul Foii.

The weather was just fine for walking, with 10 mim. of heavy rain each day. The Funduri shelter really sucks: it's well hidden, it's bad designed and it's unfinished - a pure romanian job :(
I can explain you more, if interested... So, I couldn't sleep all the night, ask Iulia ;))


About the second target, it's yours to judge:

Florinel on Braul Rosu:



Sunset from the south ridge:

Iezer, last sunday:

Plaiul Foii, sunday late afternoon, all the rains and clouds were over.

Bottomline: it was great to do again the main ridge, after so may years and having great companions. I was surprised to see that we've completed the north ridge in 1h30min. with more than 15kg in the backpack, and with some rain and wet rocks.

So, I think that it is very feasible to do the complete ridge: Turnul - Funduri in 4h, light walking, no running. I look forward to do it soon, on the route Botorog - Piatra Mica - Turnul - Funduri - Table - Botorg. A nice one day walk, about 11h le's say. Call me if u r interested.

Complete details on Cesar's page:

http://alpinet.org/main/liste/index_ro_t_a-rt-piatra-craiului-810062007-braul-rosusudicalanturi_id_34871.html

Piatra Craiului: golden pillars

Last sunday, again with Daniel in Piatra Craiului, as we used to do it about ten years ago. We had explored together most of the secrets of this mountain, and now after so much time, it is the beggining of a new era :)

We did a short tour around M. Cotzofenei - entry Ciorangutza - entry V Podurilor - ref. Cioranga - Hornul Nisipos - Plaiul Foii.

Here is a nice view with Sunset light of Padina Calinet - Valcelul Caprelor area:

Leaota: Pink Mioritza

This is the river bed on which we have climbed up to the ridge.


The rhododendron presence, made our walk a feast:


It's time to get down, but the sun started to shine after a long time of shadow, making us very happy:



cause the best light for photos is at sunset:



and we have Bucegi in the background, Bogdan is the subjet and the pink bushes tells us the story:

we are somwhere farther away from our initail path:

and the small path will dissapear a little bit lower, near the forrest:

well, after 7 week-ends in a row snowboarding and/or hiking in Bucegi mnts., this will be the first one in which I'll just photograph it from farther away

Hard to believe, but is 20.00h in the evening, best weather and light that day.

Finally we've found a belt-like sheep path which leads us toward another small ridge and then back in our valley, and back to our car.

Leaota: like the salmons...

... going upward the river !

Last saturday we were ready for a nice adventure in Piatra Craiului, but driving up from Brasov we've seen the full leaded coloured ski over the mountain, so we've took the wise (as we've seen later) decision to go in Leaota. Some of us we've reach Piatra Craiului the next day.

We've choosen an unmarked valley starting from Moieciu, next to "Santilia" ridge and Fundatica village. After less than 2 hours of easy walking we;ve reached the main ridge, passing through fields of flowered rhododhendron and blueberries (do not rush, they are still green !)

Mist on the other side of the main ridge.

We've decided to walk toward the main peak (in the background):

The sheeps were back in the mountain:

Some nice swamp with some not so nice sky:

Great hikers ! my friends :D

Drowned ?

Sheeps and shepard in action ! "Mioritza" country !

Bucegi in sight:

Moieciu valley and Fundata Village:

Moieciu typical landscape !

On this ridge we've hopped to come back...

to be continued...

Wanna ride ?