Tatra Mountains Exploration: 23rd February, 2008

A full six day traverse based in 5 different refuges. Enjoy the solitude and fantastic skiing of this Winter paradise

High quality refuges with few other visitors.
Share in the excitement of this Eastern European gem, with an evening in Krakow to end the trip.

The Tatra mountains are an Alpine range at the centre of the Carpathians that stretches for more than 1500 kilometres along the Slovak and Polish borders in the heart of Eastern Europe. The highest peak is the Gerlach at 2663m - so the range is not very high, but is snow sure as it is a lot further East than the Alps and the cold is sustained.

There are no glaciers but the terrain is often complex and ski touring is rare here. After the success of last year we want to run the same trip. We were pleasantly surprised by the refuges which were all very comfortable, warm and very quiet and the skiing was fantastic and varied. From steep gullies to tight forests and open ridges not dissimilar to the Cairngorms the scenery is also varied.

OUTLINE ITINERARY

DAY 1 - Fly to Krakov
We fly into Krakov and meet our minibus for a transfer to the small but busy mountain town of Zakopane at the foot of the Tatra mountains. We spend the evening packing and planning for the weeks skiing ahead. And not to forget the probable meat feast in one of the many traditional bustling restaurants in town.

DAY 2 - Horses to skis
After a short transfer to the roadhead, there is the possibility of a horse drawn sled ride up the relatively flat Dolina(valley) Chocholowska. This is a unique way to start the trip and really sets the tone for what will be a different ski touring experience. It also enables us to drop off some kit and then climb up through the lower forests, up to our first ridge and onto the peak of Rakon.(1879m). Your first taste of light cold Polish powder will be unforgettable as we follow our route up back to the refuge.

DAY 3 - Zadni Omak
A longer more technical day today as we head for the Zadni Omak (1867m). We follow the right bank of the river as we leave the Chocholowskiej refuge and head out to Starorobocianska Dolina and head West to a ridge. From here we climb on crampons to the summit. We continue along a crest carrying skis to the couloir Ornacznski Zleb where we put skis back on and head down to the Omak hut. The route takes us down an open slope, into a tight couloir and then through a dense and magical forest. With the white glazed rock pinnacles of the Kominiarski Wierch ridge behind, the Ornak hut with chimney smoke puffing out provides a picture postcard of a refuge.

DAY 4 -Ciemniak(2067m)-Malolaczsniak(2096m)-KondrackKopa(2005m)
After a short ski down the valley on a track, we begin our long ridge climb in shaded forests. The crisp cold mornings make the climbing pass quickly and you are soon on the more open slopes of the Ciemniak ridge. This is a truly awesome day with a long ridge traverse, giving sustained views over the entire range and down across the vast plains of Poland. When a climb of this quality is finished with a descent in untouched powder to a small and perfect refuge, then you know you have experienced a great days touring. We spend the night at the Kondratowej refuge on the edge of a small ski resort.

DAY 5 - Zawratowy Zleb(2228m)
This is the col at the top of a steep gully climb which opens our way down the Dolina Pieciu Stawow Polskich-the valley of five lakes. In order to get there we traverse across and climb briefly to a ski lift which will take us across to the foot of the Kosielec ridge. From here we cross the Gasienicowya lake, contour the cirque and head up to the col. A good ski takes us down through complicated terrain to the hut (1660m).

DAY 6 - Szpisglasowa Przelecz to Morskim Oku Refuge
This is an exciting day which takes us up a steep col and over into the cirques at the head of the Dolina Rybiego Potoku. From the col we descend shortly before climbing the Mnich(the Monk- 2067m). The uncomplicated short scramble at the end is optional and undertaken without skis. The North face beneath the peak is vertical and from the refuge which you can see below, your achievement looks remarkable. The descent to Lake Morski Oku- Sea eye Tarn- is followed sustained and enjoyable. The hot chocolate and plate of warm Bigos which awaits is deserved.

DAY 7 - Tatras to Krakov
On this final day we have decided to shorten the ski in order to give people the opportunity to spend late afternoon and an evening in Krakow. It is a shame to go so far and not experience such a wonderful city, and the former Royal capital of Poland. However there is still time for an early start and one final climb before skiing down another magical tree covered slope and out to the roadhead at Lysa Polana where our taxi awaits to take us in no more than two hours to our hotel in Krakov.

DAY 8 - Fly back to London
You are transferred back to Krakov to connect with flights back home.

Please Note: This itinerary may be altered if conditions, weather forecasts or the overall fitness of the group are judged to put the safety of the group at risk. Pyrenean Mountain Tour Guides reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary without notice. These changes will be explained to the group as and when they occur.

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING NEEDED FOR THIS TREK
We recommend that people joining this trek are equipped with the following:

Technical equipment
Ski Touring Skis with Touring Bindings
Ski Poles
Skins (with good glue!)
Ski Crampons
Crampons
Ski Strap (for tying top of the skis together when carrying on rucksack)
Avalanche Transceiver
Snow Shovel
Climbing Harness

Clothing suggestions
Thermal underwear- 1 set as a base layer
Fleece
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof over trousers
Warm hat
Warm gloves
Warm walking socks
Sun hat or peaked cap
Sunglasses/Goggles

Other useful items
40-60 litre rucksack (needs side straps so that you can carry skis)
Head torch and batteries
Sun block for face and lips
Personal First Aid kit (plasters,compede, paracetamol)
Water bottle or Platypus
Penknife

Optional items
Change of clothing to include: underwear,tracksuit bottoms/ long-johns,dry shirt, spare socks.
Camera and film
Paperback novel
Maps
Ear plugs(there is always one snorer)
Snack bars/dried fruit/chocolate
Sheet sleeping bag (if you like them...)

Some Clients Also Recommend
Wet Wipes

Ski Touring Equipment Hire
Pyrenean Mountain Tours offer a full equipment hire pack. You can hire everything you need for this tour or individual items at the costs shown in the table below. We are unable to provide equipment "last minute" so you need to book what you need well in advance.

Please remember to carry as little gear as possible. A heavy rucksack will make the trip hard work and less fun.

Pyrenean Mountain Tours
2 Rectory Cottages, Rectory Lane, Wolverton,Hants, RG26 5RS, UK
tel and fax: (0044)(0)1635 297209, web: www.pyrenees.co.uk
(Pyrenean Mountain Tours is a trading name of European Mountain Holidays Ltd.)