(see here a complete description of the marked trails in the Fagaras range as well as an interactive map)
SUMMER 2006
- July 23th: Fagaras. It has became a custom for me to cross the massif every year from South
to North starting in Buda valley. This year I continued thru Izvorul
Podul Giurgiului up to Podragu Saddle
; initially I wanted to
descend over Muchia Tarata but, like the previous year, I ran out of
time so I had to take again the standard valley floor route 
to
Victoria.
Alone.
SUMMER 2004
August 21st: Fagaras. A trip very similar to the one two months ago (June the 19th). I've reached
Gura Oticu again by hitchhiking a bit later than expected, around 11h10; the
17km/10mi to Stanele din Podul Giurgiului went quickly . From there I
intended to climb Moldoveanu Peak 
but a pack of dogs which I've met in
the forest made me turn back; I took a very well maintained sheperds' trail
and finally I reached the main ridge in Fereastra Orzanelelor 
, exactly
like two monthds before. From there I walked eastwards, climbed Vistea Mare
summit then descended towards Portita Vistei 
the finally descended towards
Victoria , with the last two hours in the dark.
Alone.
June 19th: Fagaras. Superb one-day trip in my favourite mountains. I've left Bucharest with the
6.23am train bound from Pitesti, then took two minibuses to Curtea de Arges
and Capataneni where I was lucky enough to get a quick thumb ride from two
hikers which went to Balea by car so I reached the Oticu river mouth (actually
Buda's) way faster than thought - 10.30am. I then walked the 17km/10mi of
forestry road up to Podul Giurgiului then took the Orzaneaua Mare valley up
to the main ridge, on Orzanelelor Saddle . More snow than my expectations!
I've kept the ridge up to Podragu Saddle then went down thru Podragu and
Turnuri chalets to Victoria . I didn't arrive in Victoria in time to catch
the last bus so I've slept a night outside, in a field.
Alone.
AUTUMN 2003
- September 6th: Fagaras. A nice South-North cross of the mountain. I've left my Bucharest home at
5:45 by city bus, train, two microbuses then two times hitchhiking to
Cabana Capra (where I arrived around 14h, after more than 8 hours on the
road). The trail was Cabana Capra - Fereastra Zmeilor - main ridge -
Podragu saddle - Podragu Chalet - Turnuri Chalet - Victoria (arrival
at 10.15pm). It was the day when Mars was visible; in the evening, after
having left the mountains, the landscape was extraordinary, with the Moon
and Mars together on the sky. I have some nice memories from this trip.
Alone.
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