At first I was thinking about a 6-day hike in the Gorgany Mountains, but after consulting with the manager of the Kuluar, we objectively analyzed my experience and decided that we should start not so radically.
So, a three-day hike with an overnight stay in a shelter was a very good choice for a beginner in multi-day hiking. From the train in Frankivsk, after meeting the group at the meeting point, we jumped on the bus and headed to Osmoloda.
A few hours on the road, and here we are at the start of our trail.
We were very lucky with the weather for our trip dates (22 - 24.04.2023). For the first few kilometers we walked along a gentle spring trail, enjoying the sun, the sound of the river and birds, gradually getting used to the hiking backpack.
We had our first lunch on a small clearing, got to know each other, and continued walking. Gradually, the trail gains height, crossing the bridge and the beginning of the adrenaline rush.
Ahead is a narrow path covered with snow, where there is a slope on one side and a cliff and a river on the other. So, you need to be as attentive and confident as possible while walking up and down the serpentine path.
At the end of this part of the road, the final stage of the ascent to the goal - the tourist shelter Plisce - begins. Despite the heaviness and fatigue, you realize that there is still quite a bit left.
The higher the ascent, the higher the level of snow under your feet, reminding you once again that spring in the mountains is a rather specific concept.
And here it is, the Plitse meadow with the eponymous shelter of yellow and blue flowers! We were lucky, the shelter had places to sleep on the second floor, although there were those in the group who wanted to spend the night only in tents to experience camping life to the fullest.
Personally, I preferred the shelter, so after putting our things away, we all went to the first dinner. It should be noted that the shelter has everything you need for your stay: a spring with drinking water, a toilet, a place for a fire, and a table for dinner.
Having prepared buckwheat with stew for dinner, it turned out that that day we had a birthday girl with us, so dinner automatically became a festive meal.
Sitting at the table, everyone introduced themselves, shared their experiences of hiking, both in Ukraine and abroad, or where they wanted and dreamed of going.
Despite the fact that I went hiking with Kuluar for the first time, most of the group has been hiking with them for years and knows most of the company's guides by name.
To be honest, the first night went badly, because I underestimated the importance of the thickness of the mattress and the temperature limits of the sleeping bag. So I had to pull on all the clothes I had to keep warm and fall asleep.
The next morning was supposed to be promising, as we had to climb 2 peaks: Parenka, which was located to the left of the shelter, and Grofa, which was located above our valley.
After a hearty breakfast, we gathered ourselves and set out to storm the first peak, although all the guests who were in the shelter dissuaded us from this idea: the path was not trodden, the probability of climbing was very low.
But we decided to take a chance and try. As it turned out, it was not in vain. Despite all the difficulty of the transition and the dips in the snow, Parenka greeted us warmly.
On a small clearing, where there was no snow, we contemplated the Grofa, which we were to reach in the afternoon and the magnificent 360-degree panoramas.
The peaks, which were covered with snow and full visibility from our location, allowed us to fully enjoy and catch that "zen". As a bonus, it was raining lightly on all the peaks around, except for ours.
Upon returning to the camp, our guide, Kucheriavyi Ivan, started cooking borsch on the fire. And this is, without exaggeration, the most ideal thing that can happen after a successful climb.
After a delicious lunch and a rest, we gathered again and went to Grofa to meet the sunset. The path there was shorter than to Parenka, so in 1.5 hours the group successfully conquered another peak.
The first thing that surprised me was the huge number of memorial plaques to the soldiers-defenders of Ukraine. I have never seen so many on any other peak in the Carpathians.
The second thing was the unusual purple glow in the sky, it seemed as if it was an optical illusion. No phone with a cool camera was able to capture this beauty, so all I could do was to contemplate with my eyes and enjoy it.
When we were returning to Osmoloda and cell phone service was available, we saw on the news that an extremely rare phenomenon was observed over Ukraine that day - the aurora borealis of emerald and purple color.
So, most likely, it was the aurora that we were seeing from the top. The dinner on the second day of the hike was again festive - there was another birthday girl in the group!
My personal impression of that evening was contemplation of a huge number of stars and satellites in the night sky and a sandwich with condensed milk, which reminded me of my childhood.
Fortunately, the second night was much easier, having put on 2 sets of thermal underwear, pants and 2 fleece jackets, I promised myself that next time I would definitely be more responsible about the issue of equipment, which I advise others to do.
The morning of the third day was very contradictory, because on the one hand I wanted to return to civilization, a comfortable bed and a hot shower, and on the other hand I didn't want to leave this home of peace, without mobile communication, news that provokes anxiety, contemplation of the peaks and the joys of camping life.
A quick descent, a stop for lunch and a return to the bus. Interestingly, as soon as the last member of the group got on the bus, it started to rain.
So I really believe that we were very lucky with the weather.
Upon returning to Frankivsk, we went to a well-known restaurant, where the table was almost bent over from the number of dishes we had ordered.
Our guide solemnly handed us certificates of participation with small gifts.
A couple of hours later, some of the participants went to the Kyiv train, some stayed in Ivano-Frankivsk to recuperate, and I went to Yaremche to enjoy the mountain scenery a little more.
All in all, I can say that it was an unusual but very cool experience, a great team and impressions that will remain in my memory for a long time.