Wilderness Expertise School Expedition to Slovakia
Leading a group of 13/14yrs on a 2 week expedition to Slovakia. Trekking in the Tatras Mountains, staying in huts throughout.
14/07/2012
The team trekked from Zdiar to Chata Pre Zelenom Plese. Followed the Biela River for approx 1.5km to a wooden hut (route 5811). This section incorrectly marked on large scale map. Then up the Monkova Dolina (route 5900) firstly to the col at Siroke Sedlo and then on to Kopske Sedloa nother col. From here took the trail towards Vel’ke Biele Pleso (benches to chill out) then followed route 0930A to Chata pri Zelenom plese. Good paths that are well marked and easy to follow. Predicted timing was 5 hrs 25 mins, team took 7.5 hrs. Weather was warm but not too hot. Water could be an issue ona hotter day as nowehere to replenish between Monkova Dolina and Velke Biele Pleso.
15/07/2012
Trekked from Chata pri Zelenom Plese to Bilikova Chata, Hrebienok. Went South on route 0930A towards the summit of Vel’ka Svistovka. The chained section is manageable, not technical and not exposed. Team made short detour to Velka Svistovska Summit which is 5 mins from waymarked path and straightforward. From here descended to Skalnate Pleso gondola station. Plenty of benches to stop and take lunch. Restaurant and facilities. Then continued along the trail (0930B) to Bilikova Chata, some tree felling apparent in the area. Again good obvious and easy to follow paths, a little more tricky underfoot at times. Predicted timing was 5 hrs 45 mins, another longer day at 7hrs though taken at a more relaxing pace once we’d seen the good time we’d made up to Velka Svistovska. Weather was overcast with some showers.
16/07/2012
Trekked from Bilikova Chata to Chata pri Popradske Plese. Headed West to Sliiezsky Dom (0930C), good spot with benches to rest, toliet facilities in a very posh looking Chata. Supposedly a short scramble section that is exposed but didn’t notice this. Continued along the Tatranska Magistrala (0930D) which contoured for eternity, steadily climbing to the Col at Sedlo pod Osrvou. A steep descent down to Chata pri Popradske Plese. Predicted timing was 6 hrs 20 mins, another longer day at 7 hrs 30 mins but with a couple of pretty relaxed stops. The spothight at 1884 by the lake Batizovske Pleso is a nice spot to chill out. Path was again good and obvious, except for the very start of the day getting on the path, head stright for the Ski Centre and go from there. Weather was overcast, showers and a heavy hail storm followed by more showers before clearing.
17/07/2012
The optional days trek, from Chata pri Popradske Plese to Rysy (2503m) and back. Head North West on 2902B before turning North onto 0933 climbing steeply up. The chained section is not technically difficult but is exposed in places. Definitely wouldn’t consider with a large group. Continued up the path, there is a Chata pod Rysmi about 30 mins before the summit with café and toilet facilities. From the Chata crossed a short snow slope with a trench, then some easy scrambling to reach the summit. Descend same route. Predicted timing was 5 hrs 45 mins, smaller packs and fitter smaller group meant we kept to guidebook timings. Weather was fine, then some snow and around 25 mph winds nearing summit.
The other half of the group who didn’t go up Rysy headed South from the Chata to Trigan (1481m) (0930E), then returned on 5805 back to Chata and had a walk around the lake.
18/07/2012
Simple short walk out from Chata to Popradske Pleso (2902B) taking an hour. Once at start of path continue heading South along road to reach train station. Team stuck to guidebook time of 1hr. Weather was sunny.
