Backpacks and blisters - the walking thread

[jameswba]

A proper wooden summit sign for once.

[jameswba]

This morning, four of us went for a short hike from the village of Turie to a peak called Cipcie. The route up was mostly through coniferous woods, but opened up nicely near the top to give good views to the southern part of the Mala Fatra range. It was a mild morning and the peak was a pleasant sun-trap. On the other hand, it's a bit worrying to barely see any trace of snow in Slovak hills in late December. Below is Cipcie seen through the trees from Turie village.

[jameswba]

And what's known locally as the Gothic Window.

[jameswba]

At Sulov Castle. Hard to tell here which parts are castle and which just rock.

[jameswba]

View from one of the highest points.

[jameswba]

A friend and I went for a wintry morning walk in the Sulov hills today. It's a fun area, with three castle ruins, and some curious rock formations. It was chilly early on, but very pleasant once the sun was up. Here's Hricov, one of the castle ruins...

[jameswba]

Zilina had it all day today, but yesterday only until around 10, when it cleared to give a proper sunny day. It is actually quite a strong motivation for going on a mountain hike.

[ad hoc]

Love those james (though as someone who lives in a place that is currently sitting in the middle of that milky soup, I loathe inversion with a passion)

[jameswba]

[jameswba]

[jameswba]

Today's hike up Velky Rozsutec. More inversion!

[jameswba]

jameswba lovely photos and glad you’ve recovered.

Many thanks, Sits.

About the bad weather walking article, there was only the one mention of mountains. It might have been better leaving it out altogether though, as the dangers of being up mountains in high winds or cold, driving rain are all too real.

Still, the main emphasis was on walking in cities or in woods. It reminded me that, although I only walk at night in the rain out of necessity, I always quite enjoy it.

[ad hoc]

Hiking news relevant to Ad Hoc!

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2022...l-camino-de-sa

Yes I know about this path. Sadly it doesn't really come that close to me (I'm not sure why, if I'd been asked to map a route between those two points it would definitely have taken in a lot of the mountains near me but still, it's a good idea). I'll no doubt eventually walk a part of it, I'm just somewhat opposed to driving an hour and a half or more to start a walk (but, I realise I'm privileged to be able to be in beautiful forests and mountains outside my own gate.)

[Sits]

jameswba lovely photos and glad you’ve recovered.

[Moonlight Shadow]

Interesting science points but they should maybe have stopped short of encouraging people to "seek out mountains" in poor weather.

Crap weather is for low level walks, not going up mountains...

[Walt Flanagans Dog]

Interesting science points but they should maybe have stopped short of encouraging people to "seek out mountains" in poor weather.

[slackster]

Interesting article in The Grauniad encouraging Rotten Weather walking, which I’m broadly on board with. But then they go on about backwards walking, which seems a rather silly thing to do…Anybody here indulge in public spaces?

[Moonlight Shadow]

Hiking news relevant to Ad Hoc!

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2022...l-camino-de-sa

[jameswba]

Suchy from lower down.

[jameswba]

More mountains above cloud - the Velka Fatra range.

[jameswba]

Maly Krivan, second highest mountain in this range, from the top of Suchy.

[jameswba]

Mountains above the clouds.

[jameswba]

Strudel at the first cottage.

[jameswba]

A view onto the River Valley, from a castle ruin.

[jameswba]

I went for my first post-Covid hike today. Up Suchy, one of the nearest peaks to here, and down the other side. It's a personal favourite, partly because there are mountain cottages an hour either side of the summit. And it was a lovely day ; cloud in the valleys, clear skies higher up.