Sunday February 24
After abandoning our plan to sky the Javorniky mountains ridge on the border between Slovakia and the Czech republic due to miserable weather (wind, rain) and lack of snow, my father and I decided to head higher where we were sure to find snow. The weather forecast also indicated mild wind and above-freezing temperatures at altitudes of 4,000 – 5,000 feet, which was going to ensure the situation from the last weekend was not going to repeat. That saturday I was attempting to do this same trip with my cousin Peter, but the temperature was about -12 C (10 F) with very strong wind – a deadly combination that made us return back from Krizna.
This time the situation was quite different – the temperature climbed to about about 8 C (50 F) so even the mild wind that we experienced on the ridge was actually quite pleasant because it cooled us down and helped us moving forward as it was blowing from the SW. The picture below shows the path of our ascend from Turecka to Krizna (indicated by a blue dot ), continuing on the main ridge of Velka Fatra and ending in the Chata pod Borisovom (Hut below the Borisov Mt.)
Starting in the Turecka village, we headed up the valley to ascend to the top of the snow-covered ridge on the horizon.
After reaching the ridge we saw couple of skiers using small wind-powered parachutes to race along the barren ridges.
Replenishing energy at the summit of Krizna. Nizke and Vysoke Tatry snow-covered ranges can be clearly seen in the background
My father with Ostredok and Krizna mountains behind him.
After the Suchy Vrch we had a rest at the Salas pod Suchym Vrchom ( shepherd’s hut below the Suchy Mountain)
The Borisov Mountain. The hut where we slept can be seen on the ridge descending to the right edge of the picture.
Father sitting inside of the hut enjoying beer, coffee and borovicka (juniper brandy). We were lucky to arrive on Sunday because to spend night there from Saturday to Sunday can be challenging as the hut is quite popular with hikers. This time there were just a handful of people.
Monday February 25
The picture below shows our path from the day before as well as the Monday segment originating in the Chata pod Borisovom – on the right – progressing around the Ploska mountain (the most difficult part as the snow had an icy crust and the slope was very steep) toward Rakytov mountain (at the bottom edge of the picture).
A morning scenery with Javorina (on the left) and Rakytov (on the horizon) mountains.
Cierny kamen and Rakytov mountains