Hiking (hard): Piatra Craiului Northern Ridge (Creasta Nordica)

Event is limited to 8 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 the Northern Ridge (Northern half) between the peaks Turnu and La Om with a pit stop at Cabana Curmatura.

Track
Fantana lui Botorog (860m) - Cabana Curmatura (1435m) - Şaua Crăpăturii (1580m) - Vf Piatra Mica (1816m) - Şaua Crăpăturii (1580m) - Vf Turnu (1911) - Vf Padina Popii (2013m) -Vf Ascuțit (2133m) - Vf La Om (2238m) - Ref Grind (1600m) - La Table (1400m) - Prapastiile Zarnestilor - Fantana lui Botorog (860m)
Start time: 7:30am
Difficulty: Hard/Technical (cables/chains, rock scrambling)
Length: 25km
Elevation gain: 1700 m
Estimated time: 14-15h
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)
11:30am Vf Turnu (1911m)
12:30pm Vf Padina Popii (2013m)
1:30pm Vf Ascuțit (2133m)
1:30pm-2:00pm lunch (bring your own)
5:00pm Vf La Om (2238m)
7:00pm - Ref Grind (1600m)
7:30pm - La Table (1400m)
8:30pm - Prapastiile Zarnestilor canyon
9:30pm arrive back at Fantana lui Botorog (860m)
0:30am 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, Curmatura and La Table - 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.