Anna Chuzha

You can dream about anything, but dreaming about mountains is something special! I dreamed, no, I even raved about the winter Carpathians, so I planned a trip there for two long years and it just never worked out. This year too I was hanging by a thread from fulfilling my dream... For a long time I couldn't choose the best company, I was nervous that I'd go and sleep and eat with people unfamiliar to me, but the mountains... the mountains were calling me, so I waved away all my doubts, called, booked a spot, and the next day I was already buying a ticket to Ivano-Frankivsk and starting to pack. Everything I wanted to take, I forgot half of it, but thanks to Kuluar's manager Anna, who gave me a list of necessary things... good thing I packed everything according to it and didn't lose my mind from happiness. Upon arrival a transfer and the other group members were already waiting for me. So we're driving... it's quiet in the car, barely anyone talking. I got sad, thinking, well that's it, it's over, the trip is ruined... but the mountains, they're so great!!! My mood went up again, a smile on my face!!! We arrived in Lazeshchyna, where we were settled in a cozy house with very welcoming hosts who also fed us. By the way, I had the best view from my window, onto Hoverla and Petros. Yes yes, I'm a lucky one. After settling in and eating, we went for a walk along snow-covered forest paths, through a snowy forest. It was a real forest fairy tale, exactly as I imagined it from childhood. While walking we got to know each other better, and it became more and more fun. The next day was an early rise and the ascent of Hoverla. The weather was clear... how lucky we were with it, when we were there you could see all the majestic Carpathians (the Chornohora and Marmarosy ridges), Petros the handsome one. Photos, tea, coffee and back to base by evening... While we were descending, everyone had already gotten to know each other and we were like friends. After descending the mountain we came back to Lazeshchyna, where a delicious dinner and a banya were waiting for us. You can go to a banya in the city too, but it's just not the same as it was there! And our guide showed us how to really steam yourself... Andriy steamed everyone to glory) On the third day, we were warned about the weather conditions, but there were some daredevils who decided to try anyway. Another early rise, a hearty breakfast and off we go! Half the group and an experienced guide went with us. We met the dawn already at the beginning of the ascent to Petros, the weather conditions were worsening by the minute... it felt like the wind was about to blow us away and carry us back to the banya, saying, sit here and don't move until the end of the trip... and then when only 200 meters of elevation gain remained to the summit, our guide says, that's it guys and girls, we need to turn back, or there will be trouble! I had long dreamed of climbing Petros in winter, and I was very upset that the weather conditions were deteriorating, but I'm very grateful that Andriy was with us, who turned us back, since it was all extreme and it was unknown how all our wishes could have ended... After descending to the koliba, we lit a fire, sat down to warm up and drink tea, share impressions from the climb and sing songs, and planned to head back. In the evening a delicious dinner and banya were waiting for us again. That day already felt like I was resting with friends. It was so easy and interesting to talk with everyone. This was my first commercial hike together with Kuluar - hikes in the mountains of the world, but not my first time in the mountains. I was amazed at how fun and actively you can spend the weekend, as it seemed with completely unfamiliar people... how much you can eat and drink (I'm talking about Carpathian tea) how fun the guides can be and how funny the stories are. I want to say to those who want to spend time having fun and actively, I recommend spending it together with Kuluar, and if your guides are Vova Vasylyshyn and Andrzej Pylypiuk, then they will do everything possible so that you get maximum enjoyment from the hike. However there is a very important thing! A hike should be chosen according to your physical capabilities and mental preparation, so if you don't know what a winter mountain hike is, or generally what a hike is at all... you may end up disappointed.

Well then, dear fellow wanderers, would you like to find out what it's like to hike the Carpathians with the lovely club 'Kuluar'?! So here goes. I guess I've finally matured enough to share my impressions with you. So, here are the wild and emotional impressions of this somewhat wild Valera, for your attention.

Climbing Hoverla this year, I felt the full weight of Tolkien's imagination upon myself. The path to Mordor turned out to be not as simple as it seemed from the window of the car that drove us to the foot of the mountain.