KLepo was (t)here!

So today I went for a hike up the hills above my town.

Yes, it was nice and it felt good to be out again, but the main point is that I am fine and fresh after it… why? After my hike in Tatras to Krivan my knee was bitching about me going fast and far and I had some slight pains in it. But today after my return I can see that I am ready.

Ready for what? Walking across Slovakia

But first a little about this hike. I started in Vrutky (382 m) and walked up to Velka Luka (= Big Meadow) and Veterna (= Windy) at around 1476 m. These form the top of the mountain that is generally called Martinske Hole (= the naked meadows of Martin), with its wide meadows, windy weather and wide view its a favorite spot for paragliding… From there I went to neighboring peak call Mincol (1363 m) and back home. Including a really good cold beer in a cottage up on the hill it took me little bit more than 6 hours.

Just an interesting thing - Mincol was an important point during the Slovak Uprising, partisan groups have been posted here and have been fighting the Nazi troops, as a memorial to this a pair of canons was placed here…

Pictures here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/klepo.slovakia/HillsOfMartinskeHole1470MAndMincol1363M

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Oh, but You wanted to know more about the planned trip across Slovakia? OK, if You want here is the info:

Its going to be me and Ivo Melay (exMCP of Slovakia and Switzerland) who just came back from a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela where he walked 900 km across Europe so he should be trained

And what am I talking about exactly? A continuous walk from the Polish-Slovak border on one of the highest peaks of High Tatras from the mountain of Rysy to the castle of Šomoška on the Slovak-Hungary border. 195 km distance in 5 to 6 days that requires 53 hours of continuous walking.

Below You can see the planned route.

I will try to do some post during the hike, but I think I will manage to give the details only after the trip.

Just so You imagine what is awaiting us - the total sum of our ascend will be 6385 m and total descend 6870 m, for comparison that is the same as going up and down the Aconcagua (the highest mountain of both North and South America).