I specifically chose the route to Petros and Hoverla because I knew it would be the most difficult for me, and I wanted to finally test my strength in real conditions.
It was my first time climbing such high mountains in my life, so I wanted everything to go smoothly.
The preparation began at home, and the consultant played a big role in this. He conducted a thorough assessment to understand whether I was physically and mentally ready for such a challenge.
After our conversation, I calmed down because I realized that my equipment was suitable and that my mood and preparation were sufficient to start.
The consultant was very helpful in sorting out all the details, which gave me confidence before departure.
At first, I was a little apprehensive about being in a completely unfamiliar company, as I had no previous experience of this kind.
However, all my fears disappeared very quickly, as I was easily accepted, and we turned out to be very similar in terms of interests and vibe.
The trip itself started off with a bang: first, we rode in a comfortable minibus, and then we transferred to the legendary Bukhanka, which took us to the house itself.
The mountains greeted us a little harshly, with low clouds, but that only added to the seriousness of the trip.
The hike itself was a real physical challenge for me. The first was Hoverla, and after climbing it, my muscles ached so much that it was not easy to go to Petros the next day.
There was thick fog on Hoverla, and everything was covered in clouds, but Petros presented us with a real miracle.
When we were almost at the top, the sky suddenly cleared up and became completely clear.
Literally a moment later, everything was covered in fog again, but that short time was enough to make me feel incredibly happy.
I realized that everything was not as scary as it seemed — the main thing was to believe in yourself and give it your all.
We got a special thrill after returning to the cottage. A bath after the cold was something incredible, and then a delicious dinner awaited us.
To be honest, we were fed like in a restaurant, which seemed like a real luxury after staying in a hostel where I ate whatever I could find.
I especially remember the breakfast before our departure, when we were served hot pancakes with jam and tea.
The tour leader was also very helpful: he told us a lot about the mountains, taught us how to use crampons and poles correctly, and gave us advice on where to go next time.
My main conclusion after the trip is simple: you need to have good equipment, because you shouldn't mess around in the mountains.
Also, be sure to train before the tour and do cardio exercises to prepare your body for the strain.
Don't be afraid of your fears and just keep going forward, because the emotions you get at the top are worth every effort.