Bucharest Outdoor Lovers

Event is limited to 4 people. Please join the waiting list and then contact me on WhatsApp +40755044666 to confirm your seat and add you to the dedicated event group.

Warning: This track has exposed rock scrambling segments with cable/chains, as well as scree/gravel (grohotiş) sections on the descent. If you're afraid of heights, this is not for you.

Intro
The Piatra Craiului Mountains (Kings' Rock) are a mountain range in the Southern Carpathians in Romania, located in Brașov and Argeș counties. The Piatra Craiului mountains form a narrow and saw-like ridge, which is about 25 km long. The highest elevation in the massif is the "Vârful La Om" at 2,238 metres. The ridge is regarded as one of the most beautiful sites in the Carpathians.
We are going to explore a small part of the Northern Ridge between the peaks Turnu and Ascuțit with a pit stop at Cabana Curmatura.

Track
Fantana lui Botorog (860m) - Cabana Curmatura (1435m) - Şaua Crăpăturii (1580m) - Vf Turnu (1911) - Vf Padina Popii (2013m) -Vf Ascuțit (2133m) - Padinile Frumoase - Cabana Curmatura (1435m) - Fantana lui Botorog (860m)
Start time: 7:30am
Difficulty: Hard/Technical (cables/chains, rock scrambling)
Length: 18.5km
Elevation gain: 1350 m
Estimated time: 12-13h
Route type: Loop

Planning (estimated)
4:00am leaving from Bucharest (pickup details on whatsapp dedicated group)
7:30am begin hike from Fantana lui Botorog (860m)
9:30am arrive at Cabana Curmatura (1435m)
12:00pm Vf Turnu (1911m)
1:30pm Vf Padina Popii (2013m)
1:30pm-2:00pm lunch (bring your own)
3:30pm Vf Ascuțit (2133m)
4:00pm begin descent via Padinile Frumoase
6:00pm - Cabana Curmatura (1435m)
8:00pm arrive back at Fantana lui Botorog (860m)
11:30pm back in Bucharest and drop off

This is just a rough estimate, do not plan other events in the evening.

Make sure you have a headlamp (lanternă frontală) it will be dark on the way back.
The weather conditions at the peak and generally in the alpine region above 2000m are very different from Bucharest and Busteni, bring more warm layers.

Arrival
This track is only accessible by car
The trip from Bucharest to Fantana lui Botorog is around 3h depending on the traffic. We will arrange the car seats and pickup details on the dedicated WhatsApp group.

Costs
The hike guiding is free. Since we go with our personal cars there are transportation costs that will be split equally between the driver and passengers, the amount will be communicated the day before.

Packing

• Hiking backpack 20-40L
• Hiking boots or shoes - with good grip on rock and gravel
• Via ferrata or gym gloves (highly recommended or the cables sections)
• Headlamp (lanternă frontală) with spare batteries
• Climbing helmet (highly recommended)
• Rain or shell jacket
• Warm layers: quick dry t-shirt/thermal (merinos or synthetic), polar hoodie, down/synthetic jacket, avoid cotton
• Water/tea - 2-3L (can also refill/buy water at Fantana lui Botorog and at Curmatura) - no water source on the ridge!
• Hiking poles/sticks (optional)
• Fruit juice (optional) as energy drink
• Electrolytes, magnesium (optional)
• Energy gels (optional)
• Snacks - fruit, energy bars, dry fruit
• Lunch, dinner
• Cash for buying food/drinks at Cabana's
• Beanie / buff / gloves
• Power bank (optional)
• Sun protection - hat / baseball cap, sun glasses, sunscreen, lips balm

Contact me by WhatsApp +40755044666 for any questions.

This description is incomplete, contact me for the most up to date information.
Very fit people only: you must do minimum 3 hard tracks of 1500+m altitude difference with me to be considered for this trip.
The climb to Mythikas, Stefani and Vihren peaks are not for the people afraid of heights.
Contact me on WhatsApp +40755044666 for any questions and to add you to the event chat group once you signed up.

Intro
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece. In Greek mythology, Olympus is the home of the Greek gods, on Mytikas peak. The mountain has exceptional biodiversity and rich flora.
Olympus remains the most popular hiking summit in Greece as well as one of the most popular in Europe. Organized mountain refuges and various mountaineering and climbing routes are available. The starting point is the town of Litochoro which lies in the eastern foothills of the mountain, some 100 km from Thessaloniki.

Musala (2925m) is the highest peak in Rila Mountains and also in the whole Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula. The mountain is not technical, but the track has an altitude difference of around 1650m+.

Vihren (2914m) is the highest peak in Pirin Mountains and it is the 3rd highest in the Balkan Peninsula, after Musala and Mythikas (Olympus). If weather allows, we will also go through Koncheto, which is a knife-edge at around 2810m altitude that will spike a bit of adrenaline.

Peaks
Mythikas (2918m), the summit of Olympus, called the Home of Gods in Greek mythology, is accessible via the technical Louki or Kakkoskala routes, both YTS class 3 rock scrambling.
Stefani (2909m), also named the Throne of Zeus, is accessible via a technical route (YTS class 3).
Skala (2882m) is located between Mytikas and Skolio and it is accessible via a scrambling rocks route Kakoskala, slightly easier than the one to Mythikas.
Skolio (2911m)
Profitis Ilias (2803m) offers an amazing view over the high peaks and it is very easy to ascend. Here also lies the chapel of the Prophet Elias, the highest place of worship in Greece, built in the 16th century by Agios Dionisos.
Musala (2925m)
Vihren (2914m)

Track 1: (split in 3 days, subject to change)
Prionia (1100m) - Refuge A Spilios Agapitos (2100m) - Refuge Giosos Apostolidis (2700m) - Profitis Ilias Peak (2803m) - Stefani Peak (2909m) - Mythikas Peak (2918m) - Skala Peak (2882m) - Skolio Peak (2911m) - Refuge Spilios Agapitos (2100m) - Prionia (1100m)
Difficulty: Hard, Technical
Length: 30km
Elevation gain: 2200+m
Route type: Out and back, Loops, 3 days

Track 2: Vihren (2914m) - 1 day
Difficulty: Hard, Technical
Length: 20km
Elevation gain: 1500+m
Route type: Loop

Track 3: Musala (2925m) - 1 day
Difficulty: Hard
Length: 30km
Elevation gain: 1650+m
Route type: Loop

Planning (estimated, subject to change)
4.08
5:00am leaving from Bucharest (pickup details on whatsapp dedicated group)
6pm arrive at accomodation in Litochoro
Go out for dinner and local beer at a local taverna
5-7.08
Drive to Prionia (1100m)
Hike to the Plateau of Muses at around 2700m (9km +1600m ascent)
Sleep at the refuge Giosos Apostolidis (2700m)
Climb the peaks (8km +1060m ascent)
Hike down to Prionia (1100m) - (9km -1600m descent)
Drive to the accomodation in Litochoro
8.08
Drive to Bansko
9.08
Vihren (2914m) climb
10.08
Drive to Borovets
11.08
Musala (2925m) climb
12.08
Drive back to Bucharest via Sofia
10-11pm back in Bucharest and drop off
This is just a rough estimate, do not plan other events in the evening.

Costs
The hike guiding is free. Since we go with our personal cars there are transportation and accomodation costs that will be split equally between the participants, the amount will be communicated before. Accomodation will have to be prepaid, price to be communicated.
Warm food (pasta or rice with sauce for around 10-12 euro), greek salad (9 euro), drinks (water 1.5L, coffee, tea, beer, etc for 2.5-3.5 euro) are available at the refuge.

Packing

• Hiking backpack 30-40L
• Hiking boots or shoes
• Via ferrata/gym/biking gloves (recommended)
• Climbing helmet (mandatory for the Louki route to Mythikas/Stefani)
• Headlamp (lanternă frontală) with spare batteries
• sleeping bag or sheet
• Water - 2-3L (can buy more at refuges)
• Lunch (not needed, warm food can be bought at the refuges)
• Rain or shell jacket
• Warm layers (avoid cotton): (1) quick dry t-shirt/thermal base layer (merinos or synthetic), (2) polar hoodie, (3) down/synthetic jacket
• Hiking poles/sticks (optional)
• Fruit juice (optional) as energy drink
• Electrolytes, magnesium
• Energy gels (recommended)
• Snacks - fruit, energy bars, dry fruit
• Euro Cash for buying food/drinks at Cabana's
• Beanie / buff / gloves
• Power bank
• Sun protection - hat / baseball cap, sun glasses, sunscreen, lips balm

Feel free to contact me by WhatsApp +40755044666 for any questions.

This description is incomplete, contact me for the most up to date information.
Very fit people only: you must do minimum 3 hard tracks of 1500+m altitude difference with me to be considered for this trip.
Contact me on WhatsApp +40755044666 for any questions and to add you to the event chat group once you signed up.

Intro
The Făgăraș Mountains Ridge (Creasta Fagarasului) is the longest mountain ridge in Romania starting from Valea Oltului to Plaiu Foii, at the side of Piatra Craiului Mountains. It goes through the two highest peaks in Romania, Moldoveanu and Negoiu, as well as two glacier lakes, Balea Lake and Caltun Lake. The Transfagarasan Road crosses the Fagaras Ridge at Balea Lake (near Capra Lake) and a significant part of the track is at high altitudes between 2000m and 2500m.

The track is rocky and difficult especially in the first half up to Vistea/Moldoveanu Peak, so carrying a backpack as light as possible will make your life easier and bringing unnecessary or heavy things will make each step more difficult and prone to injuries. A backpack of 8-10kg for women and 12-15kg max for men should be the maximum load.

We will be camping in tents, a light tent (1 to 2kg max) is mandatory and tent sharing is encouraged to distribute the load. There are also unmanned shelters, but in this period of summer holidays there is a high chance to be occupied. We can use them in extreme cases of bad weather.

On the ridge we can find water in small springs and sometimes in lakes, we will not carry too much but bringing a water filter is important.
There is an opportunity around Capra Lake to get down to Balea Lake where we can have some nice warm food at Cabana Balea and buy food and drinks from the various merchants/shops.

More details and tips can be discussed on the whatsapp group and in person.

Peaks
Vf Negoiu (2535m) - second highest in Romania
Vf Vistea Mare (2527m)
Vf Moldoveanu (2544m) - the highest in Romania
Plenty of 2400+ peaks

Track: Turnu Rosu - Avrig Lake - Negoiu - Capra Lake - Vistea Mare - Moldoveanu - Comisul - Plaiu Foii - Zarnesti
Difficulty: Hard
Length: 110km
Elevation gain: 6000+m and 6000-m
Route type: One way

Planning (estimated, subject to change)

Day 1 Bucharest - Turnu Rosu (train) - stay at hotel/accomodation
Day 2 Turnu Rosu - Avrig Lake
Day 3 Avrig Lake - Capra Lake (potentially replenish provisions down at Balea Lake)
Day 4 Capra Lake - Vistea Mare / Moldoveanu
Day 5 Vistea Mare - Comisul
Day 6 Comisul - Plaiu Foii / Zarnesti
Day 7 Zarnesti - Bucharest (train)
Day 8 backup day (rest and/or bad weather)

Costs
The hike guiding is free. Accomodation and train tickets will have to be prepaid, price to be communicated.

Packing (incomplete)

• Hiking backpack 30-40L
• Hiking boots or shoes
• Headlamp (lanternă frontală) with spare batteries
• Light tent
• Mattress
• Sleeping bag
• Water - 2L (can refill on the way)
• Food for several days (some options to replenish at Balea Lake)
• Rain or shell jacket
• Warm layers (no cotton): (1) quick dry t-shirt/thermal base layer (merinos or synthetic), (2) polar hoodie, (3) down/synthetic jacket
• Hiking poles/sticks (optional)
• Fruit juice (optional) as energy drink
• Electrolytes, magnesium
• Energy gels (recommended)
• Snacks - fruit, energy bars, dry fruit
• Cash for buying food/drinks at Cabana's
• Beanie / buff / gloves
• Power bank
• Sun protection - hat / baseball cap, sun glasses, sunscreen, lips balm

Feel free to contact me by WhatsApp +40755044666 for any questions.