Author: Kateryna Ruchka, Ukraine
The ascent, our time on Hoverla (having coffee with the team leader, buying souvenirs, taking photos, calling family) and the descent took us about 5.5 hours, so the route is fairly quick. The camp was in a cosy spot in the forest at the foot of the mountain, so there was no wind and it wasn't as cold as sleeping in the open. There was also a gazebo at the campsite where you could shelter from the rain, plus a table and benches for comfortable meals. Physically, I expected it to be easier. I'd say the climb itself isn't difficult, you just have to keep going up for a long time, so it's better and easier if you have at least some physical activity in your everyday life (closer to the top there are big rocks on the way up and down — the trekking poles I rented helped me).