English version


 Looking for the summer...on the road....just tell


He he I went, I went, to cut a tree

He he I went, I went to drink a brandy...

He he I went to the mountains ... a summer job that was the last straw.

I write a letter,
A covenant.
There’s no matter
I take my grant!

Not rain, nor cold. It’s hot and the pressure doesn’t explode your head.   Nobody asks in hoarse English if he can drink something.  Nobody drinks tea flavored with pungent rum.  We don’t have two hours more to find between the rocks, shadows of the fog, a stone cottage, remnant of the yesterday storm.

I walked through the 20 km long, deep valley for the last time and now I’m just on a steel road. I don’t recognize the ways; just know every stone, creek, height of Podragu valley.  My watch run after time made between the path endpoints, paths patched by us, the people who managed to understand the mountain in depth.

I don’t write because I already forgot how it's like waiting for anyone. I don`t fool me with a cup of tea with rum and quiet music inside the chalet. I’m not complaining of anything further because I don’t want to drown myself. I didn’t feel the loneliness because I didn’t want others to experience it.

Maybe too many negations; those appear not to have sense. Do not think that is just because I said yes too many times in the past month, not because the mountain teaches you to say yes. The power generator that I started there is far from shutting down. Momentum is strong enough to illuminate the entire valley.

I hope these line not require power consumption but rather a small shock. In the following I hope to recover a route full of adventures, a month seemed to be a night full of smoke; but it was a moonlit night I expected. Thank you Mountains, thank you Fagaras and all the people!


I -Road to heights

I arrived in Brasov on a restful heat, on a Saturday in July. My feet were frozen even though they were lying on the seats of the morning train  from Galati. It was delayed by 50 minutes and only then I realized that it could not recover the delay  only with energy and will ... as we were doing in the mountains ....


 EYP Romania - Moldova

The EYP represents a non-partisan and independent educational project which is tailored specifically to the needs of the young European citizen.

The EYP encourages independent thinking and socio-political initiative in young people and facilitates the learning of
crucial social and professional skills. Since its inauguration, many tens of thousands of young people have taken part in regional, national and international sessions, formed friendships and made international contacts across and beyond borders. The EYP has thus made a vital contribution towards uniting Europe.

Today the EYP is one of the largest European platforms for political debate, intercultural encounters, political educational work and the exchange of ideas among young people in Europe. The EYP consists of a network of 33 European associations and organisations in which thousands of young people are active in a voluntary capacity. The international umbrella organisation of the EYP is the Schwarzkopf Foundation.

Fot three days, 14-16 May, at Oglinzi, in Neamt Counti is was held the regional session of EYP Romania. Galati county ws represented by two teams of 11 people. It was an unforgettable and vision-widening event. Looking for more! My team, Galati I did a really good job and everybody was satisfied after the event. So let`s have some applause!


The date  for the largest project of social involvement in present held up in Romania, National Cleaning Day was officially announced through a press conference. Cleaning piles of trash generated by people in the country's natural areas in a single day is scheduled on 25 September  2010 day in which all Romanians are expected to attend to the "Transfiguration" of Romania.


In April, the project is entering a very important step, mapping, done by volunteers registered through the project site. This involves determining the waste piles of natural areas and establish their coordinates using GPS information which is then loaded into a special software. The result of this action is the map of waste in Romania, which will be based on estimated resources required for project success, including number of volunteers needed for cleaning day.

The idea was inspired by the huge success of  Estonia which  in one day with the help of 50,000 volunteers clean the country. The news spread quickly and many other countries such as India or Romania and Slovenia have announced their intention to apply the method on their territory.


Romania is the largest country in Europe that will organize the project. Team organization includes 60 volunteers, both members of NGOs and individuals. So far, the project managed to collect over 20 000 individual supporters through social networking, which can become volunteers on the day fixed for cleaning.


So everyone can contribute even a little for a cleaner Romania!


 Boiler Mountain

Gerlach Peak, in Slovakia known as Gerlachovsky, is the highest point of entire Carpathian chain, belonging to the geographical center of the High Tatra Mountains, on Slovakia territory. Included in TANAP, Slovak National Park, Gerlach was  considered the highest peak in the Tatras from the first time. Measurements indicated Kriváň , in eighteenth century (the current national symbol of Slovakia), with 2494 m as winner in the fight for altitude. However, in 1838, Gerlach was recognized and top appointed by Louis Greiner, an expert in forestry, as the highest. Once it was determined that the peak is the highest in the region, authorities who controlled the region at one time or another, have taken a special interest for its name and have changed it from time to time for symbolic reasons. First name of this mountain  was in the German dialect,  Kösselberg (Boiler Mountain) name appeared on a map from 1762. The name refers to the shape of the  cirque below the peak Gerlach. The name that became common in tourist guides of the nineteenth century is the current name linking Gerlachov mountain village at its foot.
Despite the relatively low elevation, the vertical wall that rises from the valley gives  Gerlach an  impressive look. Mountain was a refuge for Czechs, East Germans, Hungarians, Poles and Slovaks mountaineers during the Cold War. The first ascent of the peak is considered to belong to group of Z and V Bosniacki Grzegorzek, although it was reached before the hunters and naturalists.
There are several access routes to the top, all technical.
Access to the top has some  restriction. The climbing of the summit  is only allowed for guided groups. The easy ascent can be made on  Batizovská Velická where is mounted a chain route. In summer conditions, both routes are marked with grade II or III and are frequented mostly by those who aim only to achieve the peak. The total elevation is about 1,000 m for those who come to spend the night at Sliezsky Dom Hotel.
Sliezky Dom was also the terminus of the first day in  foreigners mountains  for our team.
We went  by train from Bucharest to our first destination, the  Hungarian capital, Budapest. Delays increase with each kilometer and the custom does not seem to care about it. We lost contact in Budapest. Long day seems endless. Able to reach the foot of the Tatras, Poprad city, tasting the air route of Bratislava. We were already following the old plan and get in Tatranska Polianka. The Romanian expedition  to heights of Tatra starts, guided by an ordinary green marker. Showers and a hot meal seemed to expect us, souvenirs shining in the window of reception . But first I had to show you other things!
I can`t  pass over  a few aspects that characterize and give beauty of the Tatra mountain ascents. Last link of the Carpathians, the Tatras mountains can be described simply by a mixture of Fagaras and Retezat. Old houses with a huge history resist yet to the waves of tourists,  while our mountains are defeated in battle with the time but mostly with the people. Cabin showers
a re essential for the reputation of a chalet and beer is the primary way of hydration after a long trip. Souvenirs are everywhere and you can not miss the  stampof each chalet . Leaving the cottage you adventure on paths well maintained, after a discreet mark, guided by signs perfectly placed,  with nice red roofs.  This shows that there is an administration of the park and  it is known that there are people protecting the mountain. We know that only  who love the mountain come here. In the High Tatras almost everyone seems to have a closer destination. All have a small baggage for hiking, moving slightly on the path  in the sun. But to really feel the atmosphere in the Tatras  we have to understand the spirit of the climb and live with every pebble in the mountain.

Batizovsky stit seemed to be a slight warming, a pleasure for hands that touched and felt safe and happy, first climbing on granite.A long hike on Batizovská Valley  with a huge enthusiasm supplemented the tour, so we were checking the first goal in the Tatras.

Ladies and gentlemen, next station: Gerlach stit!
Plans are in place. 5 and a half we leave , the food lies in the backpack, and is an endurance ride for some of us. Rain is announced for next hours. A small meeting is necessary. Opinions are divided, but the version that we all agree seems impossible. Peak, but also the planned route, famous Martin ridge can not be combined. . After several discusions we remember that we can mis both  targets  so we choose  the vote for  Gerlach. We saw  a new variant that didn`t  sound as exciting, but taste of height seems to overlook these small imperfections. This time we went  on a valley often frequented by tour guides. Another team is ahead of us and they are  preparing to enter the valley. Some jokes, betting for the first drops of rain but we swallowed hard and  approach the valley. Aalready dreaming for the top picture. We watched how  the group passed the first part and then follow a right direction. After the first obstacles we had
a splendid panorama towards theVelická valley . The climb is on foot, slightly. The group goes through the right front of the valley. We take breakfast before the sun rised while preparing a different approach than did those in front. A quick exit through a chimney  Kotlovy peak. No  hesitatation. Continue to the right path, climbing up a chimney  large enough. Teams are made. Soon we all begin to climb. In a well-known move each of us was climbing the mountain putting  his hand on  cold ruck ,  hidden from the sun  comforts. Batizovsky`s cuts bite  skin deep  today. Sunscreen was dripping on our foreheads. Orders are given quickly, with cries that seem prohibited on this scar of  the mountain. Mircea is in front of me and he is  requiring rope after he  ventured on the wrong  side of the chimney, more  exposed. I rest  waiting for  rope .  I'm getting ready to go, but fumbling the first  move. Some guidelines hear back, thanks are useless. I turn and look to my partners  as they move rhythmically, guided by the rope. Horn ends quickly. Kotlovy go out on top, finding another valley, with a narrow aisle, covered with snow. Marian arrives and shows us next way. The following is a passage that seems to be skating on a hidden valley. Marian goes and we see how he  progresses carefully, checking each step. I adjust the headset, make some pictures, some water and breathe. The first passage seems to be a long one. Strings are unequal. Stepping carefully. One  long, two, three ... but it seems that this  mountain range is not so easy to cross. Going out on the ridge leading to Gerlach. Peak not seen yet, and the clouds begin to gather slowly in Velická valley. Everything is unstable, and getting out the ridge is extremely interesting. Stones move at every touch. Trajectory that approach needs to be modified after an exposed pasasge of  a considerable length, going out in the beating of the sun. Situated on the edge, on the one hand and struck across the mountain I prepare the pictures. End memory card. A funny situation in a funny position, but I carefully managed to change the card and start to fire. 
Start climbing  again. Fog overtake each area. We  only hear voices that resound  in  front . Ridge is longer than I thought. Rain seems close but avoids us for a while.

Sitting in front of the computer and write this short journal from memories. The essence is not just the top, but we were climbing for Gerlach. Chased by rain and fog, I felt every degree less. Each piece of a ridge i remember from photos, few... about 800. Only figures and voices of my colleagues were kept alive. No more  yellow or white helmets . Instead I still I enjoy the feeling of safety from my  boots, the joy of overcoming a barrier or heat provided by my jacket.
A sharp wind and the rope in front of me was dancing . Our brave seems low, feel every notch of the rock in the  uncovered hands. We had to descend from the ridge by two rappels. Peak seems harder to achieve. But we climb the ridge again. The route does not have  great technical difficulties. Practically you jump on the crest from  boulder to another  Everything is done with mobile protection. In winter, the trail becomes more difficult.
Around 2 and a half it start the rain . A hard rain, strong but small. I dress up and tried to protect my old backpack .  Drops of rain were lost in the fog quickly . Top must be close.
We reach the peak around 4 PM. Fog everywhere. Feeling of accomplishment, joy, only the view does not satisfy our curiosity.  Top picture. I brought the flag, one as large as the top. Ready? Ready? A  perfect picture! Happiness is  into the picture with the flag and the  enthusiastic voices. Flag  proudly turns in front of us,  conquerors of the peak.
Descend on the classic route.  We reach the valley after a long retirement and start to rush ! The dinner  we expect  all day will not wait for us.
The route  was complete- a real lesson of climbing. After over 15 hours we were in the room, waiting for the refreshing shower. Moving camp tomorrow.
*
Gerlach Peak (in Slovak Gerlach known) is the highest point of the whole Tatra Mountains and the Carpathians, and the highest point in Slovakia, with an altitude of 2655 m. On 21 July 2009 it  has been reached by a Romanian team  of 6 climbers following  Kotlovy - Gerlach Veza ridge. 


At the end article, after returning home, with all objectives achieved and with pictures that tell the story , I admit I would like to go back, even briefly, in the Tatras: the hood pulled over helmet , a face tanned by the sun  on the heights, quietly waiting for everyone to arrive, reaching a new top and feel  closer to the edge, always thinking at the next move on the  rope,  confident,  hoping at least ... for the summit picture .
,,Atâtea lucruri am învăţat de la voi, oamenii...

Am învăţat că toată lumea vrea
să trăiască pe vârful muntelui, însă fără să bage de seamă că adevărata fericire rezidă în felul de a-l escalada.”

Gabriel Garcia Marquez - ultima scrisoare din “veacul de singurătate”.

Fagaras Hit Factory

Fagaras Hit Factory

Story in Tatra

Story in Tatra

Touch the mountain!

Touch the mountain!

Slovak Challenge

Slovak Challenge

High Adventure

High Adventure