Tatry - Rysy - 2499m

July 2010. So at the end of adventures with KGP I chose to get the smallest and the highest peak. This time I didn't have time to admire Tatry, I just want to finish the whole venture. It took me two days to reach Rysy. I chose the easiest option. Zakopane, bus to Slovakia, so called "elektriczka" and I could climb some rocks. Everything with a plan. There was only one moment of hesitating, when heavy rain fell. I didn't want to risk to walk on slippery rocks, but then rain has gone soon and the sun dried me a bit when I got higher. I get there at about 21.00. Few pictures and then walking down to a slovakian hostel. Sleep and then another puzzle, how fast should I go not to be late for any bus or train. Finally I did it. I have reached the crown :).

Gory Swietokrzyskie - Lysica - 612m

May 2010. So I had a 2,5 year break. But it would be a shame not to reach all peaks of KGP. As you can see, even colour of my equipment resembled the surrounding view. Bike again. Newness for me was riding during raining. And for the first time I didn't even go to sleep. Sometimes I actually needed to carry the bike because of slippery stones, but it was useful soon. There were many insects everywhere, but this time I had an antiperspirant which I didn't have 4 years ago, ha! I was at 23.00 at the peak. Then it was to dark for a riding, but torch from bike was very useful during walking down. Till the road. Heavy rain. I needed to make some short stops here and there just not to soak completely. So I rid 20kms by night to Kielce, then I caught a train.

Masyw Slezy - Sleza - 718m

July 2007. So half a year break again. This time there were some more people with me. And we chose to move by bikes. 36 degrees Celsius. Bike was lent, uncomfortable, to big. We came as close as it was possible to Sleza, but we were too tired, so we had to make short stops and drink cold water or eat ice creams. And we decided we will not get up by bikes, so we left them by a local host before first steepnesses. We made it, but I was dissapointed we didn't make it by bikes, so a year after I tried once again with different people and this time we made it by bikes.

Beskid Niski - Lackowa - 997m

February 2007. Some people say that Beskid Niski mountains are like Bieszczady formerly. Many routes where it's hard to meet anyone. They're far from Bieszczady and from Beskid Sadecki. It's not easy to get there from Wroclaw, especially in winter. Best way is to choose train to Krynica. This time I didn't even ask anyone to come with me - besides I felt like I can handle myself and I knew the region already. I took skis and sticks again. I didn't want it to be that easy, so I started near Piwniczna, I wanted to start in a place where Beskid Sadecki ends, it was impossible to connect routes only with Bieszczady and Gory Swietokrzyskie, which are to far. The task was even harder than I thought. Skis didn't work well, I didn't even take a sleeping bag, it would be to heavy, I just needed to get to hostel. But I didn't get there. I found a small shelter at about 22.00, so I decided to stay there for the night. I was trying to sleep, but it was to cold. After 4 hours of "sleep" I decided it is better to walk than to freeze. At about 3.00 I moved out of the shelter. Surprisingly it wasn't too dark. One of the best feelings connected with mountains was a view of weak lights above one of a small villages nearby. I couldn't take any good picture in that circumstances, unluckily. I got to Krynica at the dawn. Now I could use skis for a 3 kms long downhill, but legs were too frozen, so I was even more tired after that. Then I took two busses to get as close to Lackowa as possible - till Mochnaczka Nizna. And then running with time. Lackowa in winter is very hard to reach. Steep slopes were almost impossible to walk through, but sticks helped. After I came up, the sun appeared which helped a bit. On the way back (sometimes it was more like sliding on a back) I felt my shoes are wet from inside. On the outside they were frozen. On the flat terrain I could increse the speed and I just needed to wait for a last bus, I wasn't sure if it come... but it did.

Gory Kaczawskie - Skopiec - 724m

January 2007. It wasn't easy to find anyone for a winter trip. So I didn't. It was yet another chance to check my abilities in new circumstances - alone winter trip. I had short-carving skis turned to kind of tour skis - with tour bindings. I could bind skis to a rucksack during walking up and it didn't make any difficulties. Skiing wasn't a best idea, but it was always something new to check. Trekking sticks helped a lot. I didn't sleep in a tent in winter before, so that was also a newness, temperature was below zero a little bit. Still it's not definite for sure if Skopiec or Baraniec is higher, so I reached both to be sure. And that's all for this trip.

Gory Izerskie - Wysoka Kopa - 1126m

October 2006. It's hard to say something interesting about Gory Izerskie. Nothing new for me happened here. I heard of some nice terrains for skiing in winter. I went to Gory Izerskie with a bigger group and two friends, so we were walking together for some time. Later I walked alone to realize my own plan. From Szklarska Poreba through Wysoka Kopa till Swieradow for a bus to Szklarska Poreba again. Just a simple one day trip, but 23th peak was mine and the end was close.

Pieniny - Wysoka - 1050m

(June 2006). After waking up and forcing myself to put rucksack on my back somehow, plan was simple - bus to Kroscienko and slowly waddle on Trzy Korony. It would be an easy day after three days of quite big excertion. And everything was going ok, excluding a fact that being at the top I realize that Trzy Korony is not a highest peak of Pieniny. Trzy Korony is popular, so I got deluded. Quick review of the plan, ok, I can do it. I ran down again to Kroscienko and... I was late a few seconds for bus to Jaworki near Homole ravine. I had to wait for another for a half an hour or two hours, I can't remember. Anyway I tried to have some rest, drink some water. I've never walked on any mountain that fast like on Wysoka and for sure I've never run down that fast from any. But I managed to catch buses Jaworki - Szczawnica - Nowy Sącz and then to Wroclaw by train. Logistics was toughest but I've done it.

Gorce - Turbacz - 1310m

(June 2006). Next day was very hot. It was good to wake up early and cover as much kilometers as possible, before it was getting hot. I couldn't pass over the weather anyway. Apart from amphibians and reptiles (snakes also) on the route and problems with finding it, my back and arm ached which was caused by pinching rucksack. I was sweating and sweat was salty, so pinching was very annoying. 

On the right picture you can see a salty T-shirt, brrr. I didn't have many more problems that day. I could watch surrounding views, it was possible to see Tatras and slopes weren't steep. On Turbacz you can meet many bikers, despite the height. During a 24km walk I didn't find any place to get some water (or other sweet and/or isotonic drinks) and food. But I got somehow to a main road from Nowy Targ to Szczawnica and put a tent.

Beskid Wyspowy - Mogielica - 1173m

(June 2006). I slept well, wasps weren't dangerous. But running time was a problem. It was clear I have to hurry up, I didn't even have chosen a place to sleep for another day. I knew I should go as far as I could. Walking alone in the mountains makes you able to choose your own tempo. Usually you walk faster, of course not in case of walking with a pack of friends who knows their abilities each other. 

Mogielica reminds me of high ferns on the route. It was quite hard to find that kind of plants in uniform way. And with a wooden cross at the peak. That day I walked as far as I could and put the tent somewhere near Lubomierz. I have covered about 40kms, 27kms by foot and by bus if it was possible. Time was important.

Beskid Makowski - Lubomir - 912m

June 2006. Well, a half year break, it was harder to find crew for trips now. But I didn't want to wait and waste time. Trip to Lubomir was just a beginning of a four day mission of getting another 4 KGP peaks. Train -> Jordanow -> bus -> Pcim and then west. Walking on Lubomir shouldn't be a problem, just a small mountain which can be reached by bike. But after that, trip was more difficult. I didn't sleep for 36 hours and when the rain came, at about 14.00 I decided to rest. To soon for a rest according to plan, but I was feeling like a sleepwalker anyway. I found a small house, which was looking like a good place to sleep. It wasn't inhabited by people, but there were many wasps. I fell asleep 0,5meters ahead of wasps den. I knew it was there but I couldn't take any secure position.

Beskid Sadecki - Radziejowa - 1262m

December 2005. Same time like last year in Gory Opawskie. Two days break beetwen Christmas and New Year. Dark, cold, snowy, swampy, sometimes dangerous. I don't remember details, but in these conditions details are not important. During summer Beskid Sadecki looks totally different. Train to Rytro on the way to Krynica and into the snow, sometimes deep (even till elbows), outside the route. The better way to move was to walk the way skiers moved before us, but it was easy to lost these traces. Luckily, there wasn't snowing the first day. We have reached Radziejowa 2 hours before the night. And we weren't sure that we could get to hostel. But time was running out so there was nothing to think of. There was 5 of us, but everyone was moving with his own tempo and thinking of his own problems. There wasn't risk of getting lost or that something bad would happen. Views were great, like in Lapland. Sometimes we heard sounds of breaking trees, there were some of them on our way. Hostel at last. I fell asleep instantly. We have covered 10kms distance on both days, and the second day was similar to the first. But we were moving different route to Piwniczna train station.

Karkonosze - Sniezka - 1602m

October 2005. Actually everybody knows Karkonosze. Routes quite well marked, Czech style, but main routes are wide enough anyway, so we don't have to check maps all the time. Maybe just for controlling timetables. And I didn't have much time.

It's hard to miss Hala Szrenicka moving south from Szlarska Poreba. But then came stormy wind, heavy fog and drizzle, so I couldn't see further than 5 meters, no views, it was better to watch the road. Weather made me move slowly (I was alone on KGP for the first time), so I got to Samotnia hostel 4 hours late according to plan. And I planned to get there before nightfall. So it's easy to guess that these 4 hours were 4 hours spent on carefully moving by night (torch helped just to see the ground).

4 hours of sleep and I should go to get Sniezka, where I got at 5.30 am, but there was as dark as at midnight. Drizzle again and strong wind during way down and I was going down along a steeper slope with chains. Few times the wind made me step back. Luckily there came the dawn and weather became stable before the noon. Surprisingly I got to Karpacz 2 hours earlier I expected. I think whole life it's not enough to learn mountains.

Gory Orlickie - Orlica - 1084m

(June 2006). So we just needed to wake up, pack a tent as soon as possible to avoid insects and go. Actually it's hard to tell why Gory Orlickie were acknowlegded as a separate ridge of KGP in Poland. It's a Czech rigde with a small part in Poland with Orlica on the border. That day we covered 25kms. Usually the second day was critical even if the trip was longer. We started to feel uncomfortably. First corns and other worries. Further walking depended on these problems. It was quite ok till Zieleniec, but then one of us almost gave up. Then we rest some time and get to Orlica in whole squad. Then down to Duszniki-Zdroj.

Gory Bystrzyckie - Jagodna - 977m

June 2005. After 14 KGP peaks, we started second half. We were more experienced. So, what can surprise us? Especially during summer. We knew it will be hot, I don't like it. Train to Bystrzyca Klodzka. We didn't even waste time for controlling timetables with maps, we were even trying to shorten our way outside the routes, but soon we landed noone knows where, in some thorny thicket. When we moved out of there we stepped into swamps, luckily it wasn't raining, otherwise we would stuck there. There were some wooden bridges which helped us, but we still should be careful, because one bad move and you would put your leg till knee inside swamp and it's not a comfortable feeling to have mud in your shoes. One of the biggest problems were insects, especially small acrid flies. Anyway we got to Jagodna somehow through this thorny thicket. Next day it turned that I'm allergic to this type of acrid flies, I felt itch for about 1,5 month. Now I know I should use a simple antiperspirant to have it in a pocket and spray whole body from time to time.

Rudawy Janowickie - Skalnik - 945m

April 2005. Mountain trips which takes one or two days has become a standard and great idea to spend weekends. This time we decided on a trip to Rudawy Janowickie with its highest peak Skalnik. Great weather. Not to hot, about 20 degrees Celsius. We didn't expected surprises and actually there wasn't any. Overall view showed in the picture on the left is typical for Rudawy Janowickie. And the view didn't change much moving south from Janowice Wielkie, which makes me remember this ridge as unique. Whole day was cloudy, but without rain - great weather for me. After about 17-18km we could fell asleep without tiredness. There were no changes next day.We just needed to move north now. We've seen quite well maintained castle on our way. Many rocky routes. We've met few bikers on dangerous downhills, I would not try it myself, especially when I saw many stones rolling faster than bikers. Probably I'm not trained that well. So, last short section and we got to Trzcinsko train station. 

I recommend Rudawy Janowickie as a great weekend away destination.

Gory Kamienne - Waligora - 936m

March 2005. What we didn't make a month ago - we did this time. March is probably the best month for a mountain trip, if you want to walk on snow-covered terrain in Poland. It's quite hard firmed, but isn't melting yet. It's comfortable and soft, possible to walk 3km/h, but if there are fallen trees you may lost some time and it's good to predeterminate it in your timetable. I don't think I could walk more than 12-13km during one winter day at mountain routes. You can be almost sure you'll lost the route at least once a day in polish mountains and it's good to treat it like an additional attraction. Then we  hitch-hiked   from   Walbrzych  to  Rybnica Lesna.  Traveling    was    pleasant    then,   we   pass

Andrzejówka hostel and get to Waligora. The slope was steep, but quite short and easy even in winter. We weren't tired at all. Only problem was the sun. Frozen skin wasn't prepared for sunbath, unique winter feeling. Views like on pictures - snow-covered spruces were the most interesting. Everything went according to plan. Sinking in snow and small avalanches were the only problems. It usually happened in shaded areas. But  the  weather was quite stable and we  didn't expected  more avalanches, another danger came with slopes which were 45 degrees steep and we had to walk through them. And until the end of the day we had enough time for seightseeing and taking photos. All took 8-9 hours. We were in Jedlina Zdroj at the time we expected.

Gory Walbrzyskie - Chelmiec - 869m

February 2005. In January we had to study hard for the exams. We became more experienced, we had more and better equipment. This time we decided to stand up against harsh conditions with premeditation. Weather report showed -33 degrees Celsius. After we came to Boguszow-Gorce we noticed that it isn't that cold, because of clear sky and sunny weather. But walking on Chelmiec took us more time than we expected. We went back fast enough to decide to get to Gory Kamienne and reach Waligora. We should find a place to sleep and count on luck. Most problems we had were caused not by the temperature, but by faithlessly fast forthcoming sunset which didn't wait for us. And we were sinking in snow, so we slowed down to 0,5km/h. We have to crawl in many places just not to stuck deep in snow - we were not prepared for that. The night came from nowhere. We have lost the route long ago. We just listened to the sounds of cars and hoping the road is close. It might sound like taken from a J.O.Curwood novel, but we didn't feel the danger, wolfs and poachers weren't rather expected in that area. I can't remember how do we get to Walbrzych, probably just walking along the road and then using local mass transit. We didn't worry about the ticket for it. It was the only trip, when we didn't realize the whole plan.

Gory Opawskie - Biskupia Kopa - 889m

December 2004. This time we were ready for winter conditions, but in the begining there was typical autumn weather in the worst way, heavy rain and cold just after we came to Prudnik. And it was one of the shortest day of year which made us willing to fulfil the plan exactly. But our plan soaked soon. As always we didn't want to spend to much money and we didn't have normal map, just a printed one from the internet (rather nobody was thinking about GPS at that time). Route wasn't to be long, but it was muddy, not comfortable. We got to Glucholazy quite soon, but we had to walk through the whole city at night to find a place to stay for the night. We dried our clothes, get asleep and then went on Biskupia Kopa. Snow came at 700m. It was raining and snowing all the time and it was uncomfortably cold. Biskupia Kopa at last and then we could go back different way, which was completely snow-covered, but it wasn't snowing. Then we get to bus station near market square in Glucholazy.

Gory Bialskie - Rudawiec - 1112m

(November 2004). The next day, apart from problems with getting cold which were easy to predict, there was one more - frozen water in the bottle. We had to crush it to melt it and drink, actually it was easier to melt surrounding snow. Despite that temperature wasn't so insufferable. We covered about 23kms of snowy terrain, without any special winter equipment, in tolerable conditions. We had some problems with broken trees during walking on Rudawiec, but we didn't loose much time. At about 17.00 we manage to get to Stronie Slaskie, then bus to Klodzko and train to Wroclaw. It was quite interestingand unique adventure. 

Gory Zlote - Kowadlo - 989m

 November 2004. First autumn-winter trip. Well, it was to be autumn, but snow just came. Woke up at 4.40. Quick packing. Tram, train, it was a standard already. Klodzko, for the beginning some sightseeing of Klodzko, but we hadn't much time. On the way to the west. Typical late autumn weather, gloomy surroundings, but if you walk fast enough, temperture and humidity become optimal. In the afternoon came first snow, which wasn't a good sign. We didn't have plan where to sleep. We just had experiences which make us think positive. And there were very nice views, for example castle ruins which let us stop by them for a while. We took some nice pictures. Till the Czech Republic border we came late. We had small torches with us of course and that helped a lot, especially thanks to the snow which reflected the light well, but we didn't know where do we go, just down to find any road or lights and a place to sleep. Clothes soaked, shoes too, we expected rather autumn. At last we have found a place to sleep in Bielice. We obtain 6-7 blankets, but it was so cold anyway, that we couldn't sleep well.

Gory Sowie - Wielka Sowa - 1015m

September 2004. A week for recovery and during the same vacation we reached another KGPs peak. Trip more like a rest, one day, defined target. Beginning in Gluszyca, then blue and red route to famous Osowka and then to Wielka Sowa. The only thing to remember was a heavy fog near the peak, typical autumn weather. Return through Walim to Jedlina Zdroj. One of the easiest trip.

Beskid Zywiecki - Babia Gora - 1725m

(September 2004). The fourth day of the trip was a short section - 13kms. Unpleasant weather, we have rested for half a day and slept somewhere on Poland-Slovakia border. Surprisingly came frost, which we didn't expect in september, it was hard to sleep, we were moving all the time in the tent and talk to get warmer. And someone cut trees nearby. We "woke up" at about 4.30 not to get frozen. Then along slovakian borderline and even through slovakian territory and then to Babia Gora. We were getting higher. Plants looked like these in Tatras, then some rocks. There was some ice between rocks at height about 1650m, but air temperature was higher. We didn't stay for long time at the peak of Babia Gora, it was getting windy and colder. Some pictures and walk down. The worst thing was to walk through a hot asphalt (contrasting with ice on the top) in the longest polish country - Zawoja. At last - bus stop and travel to Sucha Beskidzka. Then train. Resuming - it was the most tiring and diversified trip on the way for KGP. Over 100km by foot during 5 days in unexpected contrasting circumstances. Achievement even better, because I have spent only 70PLN for 5 days on mountain routes.

Beskid Slaski - Skrzyczne - 1257m

(Spetember 2004). We put a tent on a small fragment of flat area, which wasn't easy to find in a steep and wooden terrain. We slept well, but stormy wind the next day causes difficulties with the tent, it has almost flown away. Then wind gets calm, so we reached Skrzyczne without any bigger problems, it was quite hot and windy again on the peak. We were in a good shape, so we could also get to Barania Gora, which isn't a KGP's peak, but it's well known. And we had a crisis, lack of water, but noone wants to drink last drops of water (draw). We went down to Wegierska Gorka - 23kms in very hot temperture without water made us very tired. But we have rest then well. Morning was rainy, we got soaked, but thanks to that maybe we didn't have to drink so much. Another 20kms down to Korbielow.

Beskid Maly - Czupel - 934m

September 2004. The trip was planned for 5 days and our main target was to get another three peaks of KGP. Three of us, a train, minimum equipment again, the cheapest and the most interesting way - main assumptions. Beskid Maly is small enough to walk through it in a few hours. We started in Wilkowice in the south from Bielsko-Biala. Quite flat at the beginning, then more steeply and we stepped into the woods. We didn't know for sure when did we reach Czupel, but we did it for sure, the mountain is quite small like any other nearby and wooded. Then we went down to a main road and hitch-hiked to Jezioro Zywieckie area. We decided to walk through Beskid Slaski and attack Skrzyczne the same day, but the night came earlier than we thought.

Bieszczady - Tarnica - 1346m

August 2004. In Bieszczady there's always a problem with getting there because of the distance. And they're not so wild and desolate as they're are called. Anyway it's not worth to get there just to reach Tarnica. 14 hours in different trains was just a beginning. Again - we wanted to do it the cheapest way as possible. We had 1,5 liters of alcohol (I still don't know why did we take alcohol to the east), actually more than water. But after the first stage of the trip from Komancza to a student base Rabe, a part of it we spend on paying for the night's rest, so our trip became one day longer. Mountain climate helps becoming sober, so we have lost just one day. Unfortunatelly I can't remember the next day, and after that we got to Cisna, where we have slept in a school, which was adapted as a campsite for tourists during vacation. Some of us were too tired to go any further, so they decided to go back home. Three of us went to the best part of Bieszczady - Polonina Wetlinska and Carynska - the view was quite normal, but easy to remember (because it's the edge of Poland), even without taking pictures. Only two of us reached Tarnica. One of us had food poisoning and thanks to the intervention of mountain rescue service, we have met again the next day - the day after 6 days of adventures.

Masyw Snieznika - Snieznik - 1425m

June 2004. At last something bigger and with greater crew. As always it was all about getting the main target and see as much as possible, so do not repeat routes during walking up and down. Two days again, but the longest at this time of year, so we didn't have to be in a hurry. Best way to do it was to choose a train. The cheapest and you don't have to worry about the stuff left somewhere near (a car, bikes). Equipment - just what's essential, one or two small torches etc., only one tent, quite crowded inside, but just one night - we could stand it. Dlugopole train station and then heading west along the red route to Miedzygorze. At first excertion you can always verify your food and water resources, compare actual form with timetables. Everything was ok. 6 years after the trip I have forgotten many details, but they were probably not worth remembering, nothing spectacular happened, quite hot and easy route to the hostel called Na Sniezniku. Tea and at about 20.00 along the green route, a little bit more steep slope, but it's not a problem in summer. At the peak at about 21.30. It was still bright for about half an hour - enough to put a tent. We shouldn't do it in a landscape park, but what was important - not to leave any litter. Sleep until the sun wakes up and soon on the way along Czech Republics border line. High temperatures, but great views. The way to Maly Snieznik - pleasant, almost flat all the time and soft ground. Then a bit harder. We got mostly tired at Trojmorski Wierch slope, but some gupls from the sources of Nysa Klodzka river compensated it all. Then a way down to Miedzylesie to catch a train again. We began to complain, after 25kms the second day we had to break corns.

Gory Stolowe - Szczeliniec Wielki, 919m

May 2004. Two days trip. It's enough to see everything, what's interesting in Gory Stolowe. Of course there are some different routes and it's possible to diversify the trip in many ways. We chose the way from Kudowa to Polanica. As always - the plan was simple. Wake up early, not to be late for a train and manage to catch the train from our destination point. Other things can't be planned. In the beginning we have visited Skalne Miasto (smaller one, in Poland, there's similar one in Czech Republic). This time we could have problems to find a place to stay for the night. If possible, we're trying not to sleep in hostels, but that night it was reasonable to choose Pasterka hostel. The next day we had 12 hours to go through Szczeliniec Wielki from Polanica. The route is well organized for tourism on the way for KGP. Lots of hand-rails made from chain, stairs and it's well described. During that day we had to walk for 30km. It's quite a big distance for a trip with full equipment, but the temperature and humidity were optimal. We started to complain at about 5kms to go. Before that there was much to watch, interesting slopes with lots of viewpoints or so called rock-mushrooms (skalne grzyby). Flat peaks and rocky precipices are typical for Gory Stolowe. Their lay of the land will stay in memory, even after many other mountain trips. It was one of the most pleasant routes on the way for KGP.

Gory Bardzkie - Klodzka Gora, 765m

April 2004. First mountain trip on the way for the crown, three of us, without any special preparations. The map, timetable of polish railways and there's nothing more needed. It was quite hot for an April, sunny weather. The route ran across little city of Bardo to Klodzko. There was a quite steep slope in the beginning through "the way of the cross" (droga krzyzowa) till the edge of a precipice (obryw skalny) from where Bardo from above can be seen. The peak of Klodzka Gora can be easily missed, because the slope is soft, it's little bit harder some kilometers before, during walking up on Ostra mountain, it can make you tired. The route wasn't difficult, all lasted about 7 hours, it was rather hard to die of thirst, but when days are warm, it's important to take a few liters of water. In memories stayed also a view of small snow caps, which I wasn't expecting at this time of year in this region.