6 trips in Fagaras (interest point: Saua Podragu):
(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.

• July 30th: Fagaras. We left the car next to Capra Chalet on the Transfagarasan road then climbed up to Fereastra Zmeilor on the main ridge. From here we took the northern trail to Podragu Chalet , then Podragu Saddle then the main ridge back until just before Fereastra Zmeilor from where we descended freely towards the Fereastra Zmeilor Shelter then to the car . Eigth full hours of trekking, out of which two under rain. People: Radu Antonescu, one more person.

• 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.

• September 27th: Fagaras. Two day trip with an overnight in Valea Sambetei chalet. The first day I was alone and it was pretty exhausting: I've left the car at Cabana Capra then Fereastra Zmeilor shelter - free navigation towards Nierlinger Memorial - main ridge thru Vistea Mare - Fereastra Mica - Fereastra Mare with going down to Valea Sambetei chalet (the descent from Fereastra Mare to the chalet was at night time, with the flashlight; when the batteries were exhausted I had a difficult time changing them). The second day early wake up then descent to Manastirea Sambata (where I've met Nico and Cosmin) then by car to Balea Cascada and finally an ascent on foot from Balea Cascada to Balea Lac . People: Nicoleta Zamfir, Cosmin Zamfir.
• 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.

• July 12th: Fagaras. Day and night; a follow-up to the previous trip, this time eastwards. Cabana Capra - Fereastra Zmeilor (here I saw a mountain goat; the only time in 2003) - lake Podragel - Podragu Chalet (daylight until now; from now on night time) - Podragu Saddle - main ridge - Fereastra Zmeilor - Capra Lake with going down towards Transfagarasan and the final leg on paved road. This time I've reached the car around 3.30am. Alone.

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