Hiking (hard): Creasta Balaurului - Brana Caprelor - Malaiesti - Take Ionescu

Please contact me on WhatsApp +40755044666 to secure your place (limited by car seats) and to add you to the event chat group once you signed up.
Warning: This track has an unmarked part with exposed rock scrambling segments with cable/chains. If you're afraid of heights, this is not for you.

Intro
Creasta Balaurului (Dragon's Ridge) or Creasta Bucsoiului Mic is an unmarked track in Bucegi Mountains, starting from Valea Morarului, that offers breathtaking panoramic views over Bucegi Mountains and in particular a close view on Acele Morarului. The ridge has some exposed areas but it can be done without special equipment on good weather. The return will be on a marked track from Vf Bucsoiu.

Track
Cabana Gura Diham (1000m) - Valea Morarului - Creasta Balaurului (Dragon's Ridge) - Vf Bucsoiu (2493m) - Brana Caprelor - Cabana Malaiesti - Take Ionescu - Poiana Pichetul Rosu - Cabana Poiana Izvoarelor - Cabana Gura Diham
Start time: 7:00am
Difficulty: Hard/Technical (unmarked, exposed, rock scrambling, cables/chains)
Length: 20km
Elevation gain: 1700m
Estimated time: 12-14h
Route type: Loop

Planning (estimated)
4:00am leaving from Bucharest (pickup details on whatsapp dedicated group)
7:00am beging hike from Gura Diham (1000m)
2:00pm - Vf Bucsoiu (2493m)
2:00pm-2:20pm - lunch or snack (bring your own)
4:30pm - arrive at Cabana Malaiesti (water buying point - spring is dry) - can also have some warm food
5:00pm - start return via Take Ionescu path
8:30pm arrive back at Cabana Gura Diham (1000m)
11:00pm 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) in case we get caught by the dark on the way back.
The weather conditions in the mountains are very different from Bucharest, bring more warm layers.

Arrival
This track is only accessible by car
The trip from Bucharest to Cabana Gura Diham is around 2h-2h30 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 (avoid cotton): (1) quick dry t-shirt/thermal base layer (merinos or synthetic), (2) polar hoodie, (3) down/synthetic jacket
• Water/tea - 3L - can also buy more water at Cabana Malaiesti
• 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 on WhatsApp +40755044666 for any questions.