It's better to see once than to read a hundred times

Hike The highest peaks of Ukraine 08/16-21/2009
For a long, long time I was planning to go to the Carpathians, and now the seas and practically free life are left behind - August has entered its domain - school is coming soon. But I’ve never been on a hike (the ones in May don’t count). I wanted to go to the Carpathians and only to the Carpathians) To see and compare how true it is that Ruslana sings about them and whether there really is such beauty there. I’ll say right away - the beauty there is very, very good - better than any museum or art gallery, yes, but with a caveat for a prepared person, which I have never been to. Therefore, for the first two days I constantly monitored the soil under my feet and looked at everything there very furtively.

With the wind sails, sails and back into battle
To the skies, to the skies and beyond the star
Your life is like a game, you are the hero in it
And victory is important at any cost.

So about the hike =)

For a long, long time I was planning to go to the Carpathians, and now the seas and practically free life are left behind - August has entered its domain - school is coming soon. But I’ve never been on a hike (the ones in May don’t count). I wanted to go to the Carpathians and only to the Carpathians) To see and compare how true it is that Ruslana sings about them and whether there really is such beauty there. I’ll say right away - the beauty there is very, very good - better than any museum or art gallery, yes, but immediately with a reservation for a prepared person, which I have never been. Therefore, for the first two days I constantly monitored the soil under my feet and looked at everything there very furtively.

Our first peak was Petros - I imagined conquering it, hmm, a little differently - well, yes, it’s difficult, not easy, but as it turns out, I had no idea what hard was, because I was working on the edge of my strength and capabilities. At the end of the hike, the instructor asked us what the hike was like for us - I answered quite honestly that for me it was a game of survival.

We walked the entire route - from post to post - we must give credit to the instructor, no matter how much we scolded him on other issues - here he led us and led us - the route is above all.

What I especially liked was the city of Goverla. Not so much the peak itself, but the ascent to it - it was the third day and, it seems, the first when I began to notice the beauty around me. A gusty wind was blowing, we had to walk on stones (by the way, it’s much more comfortable than walking on the ground and grass) and crows were circling in the air currents - calmly and measuredly, and I don’t think there’s anything worth mentioning about the mountains around.

Another place of wondrous beauty was the clearing for parking, where we spent the night after descending from Goverla. The descent was such that you wouldn’t wish it on your enemy: it was drizzling rain, streams were running, we had to wade through alpine spruce and for several hours - it was a continuous chop, but the clearing we finally came to at night - during the day turned out to be a fabulously beautiful place - with ferns, dwarf trees, a seething mountain stream and spruce trees around the circumference - it’s beautiful - we could have spent a day there, but our instructor’s route was superior everything.

However, we did not regret that we set off then - otherwise we would not have come to the lake. Berbeneskul and if we were not destined to swim in Lake Nesamovyty, then here we more than made up for the lack. The water was cold, but not as cold as I expected, so I boldly went into the water and even stoically took a plunge - in fact, the feeling is indescribable, whoever tried it knows, whoever didn’t, I recommend it - that I should receive baptism)) And again the parking lot was incredibly beautiful.

Black Mountain. The observatory from a distance seemed very intriguing, but from close to it, unfortunately, it’s not so good - just an old stone box, but the views there are amazing, as a zebra from Madagascar said =))) Firstly, you can see the entire path traveled, starting from the city of Petros, and secondly, there is a view of the Marmaros ridge - and already the Romanian Carpathians, which of course are higher than the domestic ones), and that’s that We left our backpacks at the foot of the mountain and climbed light, which gave it even more charm.

And another beautiful place is Smotrische - stone figures that are almost a fairy tale come to life. I want to photograph each one and capture it as a souvenir - it’s a pity that our pace was march-like, so alas and ah, we were not able to see, inspect and inspect everything.

We ate blueberries, lingonberries - they were everywhere, literally pasture, raspberries were just wooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee with that - we savored them on the last day, yes =)

We had to get up for the bus very early - at about five in the morning, but everyone was mentally prepared for it. And what a monster came to us - not a bus, but some kind of pre-war unit, but we had a fun ride and almost with the breeze (it blew out of the hatches somewhat similar to tank ones). It was actually fun!

Our group was wonderful. According to physical The preparation was quite varied - for some it was easy, for others it was hellishly difficult, but this was on the route - peace and understanding reigned in the camp.

They ate from the belly - lard with garlic, candy, chocolate, dates and nuts, in a word, there was plenty of everything - anyone who likes to eat well will not go hungry) True, anyone who didn’t eat so well, after the hike will greatly improve their appetite (I’m talking about myself) - before there were seeds, sweets, but now serve borscht, soups and porridge - it’s all because of the mineral water - by the way, at least fill it up there.

That's probably all. For those who have finished reading, I can add a bonus - before the hike, soberly calculate your strength, put on a backpack and drive up the slope a couple of times, so as not to be deceived. But seriously - train for endurance, run at the stadium, do physical exercises and practice breathing (for me it was disgusting) - even yoga - it seems there are basic exercises for proper breathing.

Hiking is akin to a labor camp; if you rest there, then, perhaps, only with your brains (which is also not a little!) Everything else is in constant tension. Good luck!