Fjallabrölt
Ég fékk þá brjáluðu hugmynd að samfara mótorhjólaferðinni, gæti ég klifrað/labbað
upp á hæstu tinda þeirra landa sem ég kem til. Í fljótu bragði virðist þetta vera
raunhæft, en þegar nær dregur ætti ferðaplanið að vera farið að skýrast og upplýsingar
um tindanna sömuleiðis.
Ég tók saman upplýsingar um hæstu fjöll þeirra landa sem ég plana að fara í gegnum í
dag (01.03.2003
).
Hæsti tindur: Galdhöpiggen (2469m.y.s.), Noregur.
Erfiðleikastig: Galdhöpiggen er að hluta til jökull og þarf því að fara með
viðeigandi græjur til að klífa hann. Leiðin upp er sögð auðveld sex tíma ganga,
mest á jökli. Daglega eru farnar skipulagðar ferðir upp á topp frá Juvashytta, en
þangað er bílfært.
Tenglar:
Summitpost.com
Peakware
Hæsti hóll: Gaizinkelns (312,5m.y.s.).
Erfiðleikastig: Ekki mælanlegt. Eflaust erfiðara að setja saman þennan texta.
Hæsti hóll: Juozapines/Kalnas (292m.y.s.)
Erfiðleikastig: Þeir sem nenna að hreyfa sig geta náð tindinum. Ekki sakar að hafa
GPS punktinn svo að maður missi nú ekki af herlegheitunum (54° 31' 51,9"
N 25° 37' 40,3" E).
Tenglar:
Jan S. Krogh
Hæsti punkturinn er staðsettur 2-3 km frá landamærum Hvíta-Rússlands, við bæjinn
Medininkay.
Hæsti hóll: Dzyarzhynskaya (346m.y.s.)
Erfiðleikastig: Ef Öskuhlíðin er fær þá hlýtur Dzyarzhynskaya að vera það líka.
Fjallið er svo hulið að ég fann ekki staðsetningu á því.
Hæsta fjall: Mt. Hoverla (2060-2064m.y.s.)
Erfiðleikastig: Af frásögnum og myndum er fjallið auðvelt.
Mynd: Mt. Hoverla er staðsett rétt við landamæri Rúmeníu.
Mynd: Mt. Hoverla.
24. ágúst ár hver, eða frá því að Ukraína fékk sjálfstæði 1991 hefur það verið
venja að ganga upp á Hoverla.
Gönguleiðir í nágrenni Hoverla: gönguleið 1 og gönguleið
2
Textinn hér að neðan er tekin frá heimasíðu
Oblast héraðst, en Mt. Hoverla er innan þess. Textinn er um svæðið í heild en
ekki sérstaklega um Hoverla.
The mountain region is occupied by the Eastern Carpathians, which are divided into four ridges:
Chornohora, Horhany, Hryniava, Chyvchyny. In the Chornohora ridge there is Mt. Hoverla (2061 m) –
Ukraine’s highest peak.
The climate of the Oblast is continental. Winters are mild with an average temperature in
January of –50C. Summers are warm with an average temperature in July of +180C.
In the Carpathians, the climate is more severe and it changes with the elevation. Average
temperatures are lower by 3-5 degrees than in the pre-mountain zone. Such climatic conditions
facilitate year-round rest and vacation, as well as treatment. Snow covers the slopes of the
Carpathians up to five months of the year, which promotes the development of downhill skiing.
A 503 square kilometer part of the mountainous territory is apportioned for the Carpathian
natural national park. It encompasses the sources of the Prut River and Chornyi Cheremosh River and
Mt. Hoverla. The main role of the Park is to assist in the preservation of the landscapes,
vegetation and wildlife, thereby creating suitable conditions for rest and tourism while introducing
tourists to the Region’s natural resources and monuments of history and culture.
In the Oblast there are five resorts and two sanatoriums. For resort therapy they use climatic
treatment and mineral baths. There are following resorts: lowland: Kosiv, Tatariv, Yaremche;
midland: Vorokhta, and the balneological pre-mountain resort Cherche.
Yaremche is also known as the tourist capital of the Carpathians, and Vorokhta - the winter
sports capital. Both towns have well-developed infrastructures.
The Oblast has a population of 1,460,000. Ethnographically speaking, the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast
consists of Opillia, Pokuttia, Boikivshchyna and Hutsulshchyna. Inhabitants of these districts
preserved some differences in language, clothing, culture and every-day life and this attracts the
tourists’ attention.
The Ivano-Frankivsk Region is proud of its cultural and historic inheritance. 3,5 thousand
monuments of history and culture within the region are protected by the state. Such monuments as St.
Pantelimon Church near Halych (12 century), Holy Spirit Church with an artistic iconostasis in
Rohatyn (14 century), Maniavskyi Skyt (17 century), plus wooden Hutsul and Boiko churches are
well-known outside the country.
With great relish, tourists become acquainted with monuments and museums in Ivano-Frankivsk and
Kolomyia and hike the trails of O. Dovbush – a Carpathian Robin Hood. Today work is being done on
the battle routes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, which fought with invaders on the territory of
the region longer than anybody else.
In the Oblast there are five cities, which had been mentioned in ancient Rus chronicles. Among
them are Tysmenytsia (1143), Sniatyn (1158), Tlumach (1213), and Kolomyia (1240). But the oldest
city is Halych. The first mention of it dates back to 898 AD. Later Halych became the capital of the
powerful Halych principality and Halych and Volyn State. The national park "Ancient
Halych" was established, based around the monuments of the Halych prince.
Since then, all the lands, which shared a common fate, that is Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv and
Ternopil Oblasts, have been called Halychyna. Its inhabitants are known for their great patriotic
feelings, national consciousness and their desires to be independent. The independence of Ukraine in
1990-1991 was gained mostly owing to the mass movement and high level of organization of the people
of Halychyna.
The Oblast has a large tourist and recreation base. More than 100 objects (hotels, sanatoriums,
hostels and resorts) are able to accept 14 thousand vacationers at a time.
29 tourist agencies provide tourist services. The most significant are "Ivano-Frankivsk
Tourist", General Agency for Tourism in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, and the Regional Center of
Pupils for Tourism and Country Study. The Joint venture "Auscoprut" accepts foreign
tourists. Among private enterprises the biggest are "Ole-Tour" (Ivano-Frankivsk) and
"Sport-Tour" (Kosiv).
The tourist agencies "Prykarpattia" in Ivano-Frankivsk, "Hutsulshchyna" in
Yaremche, "Karpatski Zori" (The Carpathian Stars) in Kosiv, "Verkhovyna" in
Verkhovyna, hostel "Hirska" (Mountainous) in the village of Yablunytsia, summer camp
"Sribliasti Vodospady" (Silver Waterfalls) in the village of Sheshory, Kosiv District –
specialize in providing tourist services.
The "Roksana" Hotel in Ivano-Frankivsk, the "Karpaty" resort in Yaremche,
the "Yaremche" sanatorium in the village of Yamna and the "Huta" pension provide
services at the level of the three star class. The "Syniohora" (Blue Hill) recreation
centre in the village of Huta, the "Dzherelo Prykarpattia" (Springs of the Precarpathian
Region) sanatorium in the village of N. Mizun are very close to this level.
Hæsta fjall: Moldoveanu (2544m.y.s.) staðsett í Fagarasului fjallgarðinum í
Karpatafjöllunum
Erfiðleikastig: 2-3 daga gönguferð. Ágúst og september eru bestu mánuðirnir
til að sigra fjallið.
Tenglar:
Peakware
Summitpost
Mynd: Horft upp á Moldoveanu
Textinn hér að neðan er tekin frá Summitpost.com
og skrifaður af Anthony Walker.
Overview
The Translyvanian Alps conjur up images of dark serrated ridges and peaks, swirling mists,
crumbling castles and above all the image of Dracula. Dracula history is certainly there, there are
crumbling castles and a lot of swirling mists but dark and serrated the alps are not.
In fact, the Translyvanian alps are mostly gentle green hills, big hills at that. Moldeveanu,
the countries highest point, lies as a slightly bigger bump on a huge sweeping ridge, swoop after
tiring swoop until you eventually get to Moldeveanu itself.
One notable fact of Moldeveanu is the fact that it lies a good distance from the road head and
would require a good four days round trip from Brasov (unless you are a super man).
The climb is nothing more than a walk although the distance from the road head means you have to
carry enough gear for the four days - although there are huts on route. Sharing the route with
Romanian back-packers this can be a very satisfying climb.
Getting there
This is probably best approached from Brasov in the west or Sibiu in the east. A train link
between the two drops you at the tiny (nothing there) station not to far from the town of Victoria
called Ucea de Jos. From here a bus (eventually) will take you to the town of Victoria. Vicotria is
a pretty rough place but a good trail from here will take you to the Sambata monastry a few further
miles up. Sleep here and begin the route the next day.
Read tape
No permits and unfortunately no litter free zones. One aspect of this mountain area is the
amount of litter dropped by backpackers - quite annoying. Clearly little or no education on
environmental aspects.
Then to climb
I presume it can be climbed all year round but have no information on the snow aspect. Summer
are good months but sudden rain, thunder and lightning and hail can make going tough.
Camping and huts
Being a wilderness area it is permissable to camp anywhere but of course - take in what you take
out. A better (and cheap) option is to use the huts on route. Tiny cabins are available just near
the monastry (Sambata Monastry), a hut is available below the main ridge on the red trail (Valea
Sambetei Chalet - 1407m) on the east (Brasov) side and a hut is available on the blue trail on the
west side of Moldeveanu (Podragu Chalet - 2136m).
Warning: the huts are okay but unheated, and only have miserable itchy blankets - not very
pleasant if its been wet (especially on the blue trail) and generally stay cold. The beds on the red
trail are individual beds but at the blue are large bunk style. Bring sleeping bags and warm
clothing!
Warning No 2: For us western climbers the food served at these huts is pretty shocking. Tea is
luke warm, just like everything else. They have the shocking practice of letting tea cool down
before serving. But then your not in Kansas anymore.
The blue hut from a distance looks like a perfect Yorkshire cottage with roaring fire - except
on close inspection theres no fire and not perfect.
The route
The common route is to ascend from the monastry to the red trail and will take about four hours
to the red hut. I stayed here and was quite glad because the next day is a tough push to the summit
of Moldeveanu. The route ascends from above the Red Hut and is quite steep upto the main ridge. Here
the route heads west over a series of swoops (many) before eventually the pull up to Moldeveanu
which is north of the main ridge. A wind blowing east makes things tough.
Heading back to the ridge, more swoops head west where a sign will tell you it is four hours to
the next hut. Three is plenty for most people and a sign will direct you off the ridge to the blue
hut. The blue trail back down to Victoria is a long push and will take six hours or more on a
sometimes intermittent trail. It seems little used but has plenty of deer about.
Weather
Like any mountain range the weather can turn from wonderful to nasty in seconds. A strong
easterly wind makes the main ridge a tough walk. Storms seem to close in from the south and surround
the peaks within seconds. Be prepared and you can end up at the miserable Blue hut like a drowned
rat.
Hæsta fjall: Musala (2925m.y.s.)
Erfiðleikastig: Ef kláfin er lokaður er um 12klst labb upp á topp, annars 6klst.
Tenglar:
Summitpost.com
Peakware.com
Veður
á Mussala
Mynd: Musala er fjarsti tindurinn á myndinni hér að ofan.
Musala eða Mousalla er staðsett innan Rila þjóðgarðsins. Þar er hið fræga Rila
virki og Borovets skálinn.
Textinn hér að neðan er fengin frá heimasíðunni "Walking
the Mountains of the World". Þar er einnig að finna flottar myndir af fjallinu og
gönguleiðinni
2925m
The highest mountain in the Balkan peninsula lies in the Rila Mountains of Bugaria and is
transliterated from Cyrillic script into English as Musala or Moussala with the accent on the first
syllable. It is just 8 metres higher than its better known neighbour, Mount Olympus in Greece. The
base town for the ascent of the mountain is Borovets which is better known as a ski resort than a
walking centre since the mountains are snow covered for most of the year. July and August are the
main months for hillwalking. We went in mid September when the place and the hills were very quiet
but the weather was superb. A gondala lift runs about halfway up the mountain but this had stopped
running a week earlier so we had to walk all the way. This turned a 6 hour walk into a 12 hour one
but increased our satisfaction with the ascent.
Walk out of Borovets southwards, passing the Flora Hotel where we spent a comfortable week. You
are on the route of the E8, a long distance path across Europe from the North Sea to the Bosphorous.
At a picnic site and a bevy of signposts leave the road and continue up the Bistrica Valley. At a
second picnic site the way crosses the river. Felling has partially obliterated the path here but
you are unlikely to get lost. Keep looking for the red and white marks. It is worth knowing that
black and white marks never denote a path but are connected with forestry. After about 2 hours you
reach a fork. A blue marked path goes up to the top of the gondola but the best way to the mountain
is to fork left, recross the river and keep on up the valley. The trees are replaced by bushes and
eventually you reach an alpine meadow with the mountains ahead. Climb up rightwards to reach the
Musala Chalet about three and a half hours after leaving Borovets. Once again you may lose the
waymarks amongst thick shrubs but are unlikely to miss the collection of huts beside a rather weedy
lake. Musala summit with its buildings can be seen behind and to the right of the hill which towers
over this lake.
Pass between the lake and a large new chalet which was unfinished when we were there. The way
zigzags up rightwards to another small lake and then cunningly forwards through very rough terrain
to a higher and larger one. It is clearly marked and well constructed all the way to the highest
lake, beside which is another new chalet which was closed when we were there. The ridge up the
mountain is now to your right and looks quite formidable but the path is excellent albeit rather
steep in places and you are soon on the summit which has a hut surmounted by a weather station. A
makeshift cableway was bringing equipment up to a group who were doing construction work on this
hut. The mist was swirling around but we got most of the views, which were superb. Musala is the
highest summit of a horseshoe running from the top of the gondola lift around to the east of the
Musala Chalet which would be a challenging circuit indeed. The highest tops are linked by extremely
spiky ridges.
Eftirfarandi texti er fengin frá Summitpost.com
og er skrifaður af einhverjum sem ekki vill láta nafnsins getið. Ef leitar er af fjallinu
á leitarvef Summitpost.com þá gengur það undir nafninu Rila, en fjallgarðurinn sem Mussala
er í heitir Rila.
Overview
RILA (means water-mountain) mountain is the highest in the Balkans peninsula, with its highest
peak of 2925m - MUSSALA (means "home of Allah", name comes from ancient turkish, despite
the mountain is located in Bulgaria). Great nature and wildlife, high peaks, lots and lots of creeks
and rivers staring from it. One of the beautifulliest mountains in the world I think.
With lots of tracks, peaks, valleys, chalettes it'll be of interest to everybody. High into
the mountain is located the beautiful "7 lakes" area, with 7 of the purest and crystal
clear lakes that could ever exist.
Getting There
Go to Sofia, Bulgaria. Since the mountain is big (large) you can start from many places, from
the North, West or South. The East area is rarely inhabited, and not so easily accessible. The best
place for a start isthe City of "SAMOKOV" (50km away from the capital Sofia), east
direction. You can reach it by either car, bus or by foot. From there, you'l see the mountain before
you, a remarkable view it is. Choose from two major villages/resorts more "deep" in the
mountain, for start of your "real" hiking. These are BOROVETZ and MALIOVITZA, both some
10-15km away from Samokov, but high into the mountain and in two different parts of it.
The two major peaks in 'RILA' - "MUSSALA" and "MALIOVITZA" are accessible
from those 2 places, respectively, also many many other, lots of chalettes and tracks for hiking,
great nature!
Red Tape
No fees! The only tax one may have to pay is the parking taxes in, if came by car/van, etc. But
they're insignificant. (approx 2 EUR per 24hrs)
When To Climb
Accessible whole year, 2 of the best winter resorts for skiing in the Balkan peninsula located
there. Also lots of slopes for freeride skiing etc, but be very alert for unfavorable avalanche
conditions. Has both summer/winter markings on the major trails, well supported.
Camping
Camping is allowed, EXCEPT for the presererved areas. See maps. Huts/Chalettes - a lot :) No
fees
Mountain Conditions
http://www.accuweather.com/adcbin/intlocal_index?reg=EU%3BEUROPE&cntry=EU%3BBU&wxcountry=EU%3BBU&wxcity2=MUSSALA+
Hæsta fjall: Mt. Mytikar (2917m.y.s.) eða Mt. Olympus eins og flestir þekkja það.
Erfiðleikastig: Auðveld klöngur. Hægt er að komast upp á fjallið á 6-8klst.
Tenglar:
Hjónin Andrea og Jiorgos gengu á Mt. Olympu árið 2001, sjá
heimasíðuna þeirra.
Fróðleikur um goðlega sögu fjallsins. Tekið af
heimasíðunni WOLRD'S SACRED SITES.
Peakware.com hefur
klifur log.
Horft yfir á Mytikas (2917m.y.s.)
Mt. Olympus samanstendur af mörgum tindum og er fjallið því flókið fyrir þá sem ekki
þekkta til. Hæsti tindur fjallsins, Mytikas, liggur ofan við Skala (2866m.y.s.) en
þaðan er klifrað upp egg fjallsins. Fjallið virðist vera auðvelt, en vegna hæðar er
allra veðra von. Venjulega er farið upp strandþorpum austan við fjallið, frá þorpinu
Prionia (1000m.y.s.) að skála A (2100m.y.s) eða svokallaða "Prionia highway".
Gangan frá ströndinn að skála A tekur um þrjá tíma, en upp á topp þarf að bæta við um
2 tímum.
Þessi texti er tekin frá Summitpost.com.
Overview
A fairly easy summit but so lovely it is a must to do one time in your life. Just for the last
point (Mytikas 2917m) you can use a rope if you feel you need it. There are also good local mountain
guides who can help you if you are not a mountaineer, just a tourist.
If you do it by ourself, don't forget that even an easy mountain can offer surprises. Mount
Olimbos is near the sea so the weather can change quickly. If down in the valley, it's sunny and
warm, on this mountain the weather can change and quickly become foggy, cloudy, and with the
legendary "colères de Zeus".
For this ascent the last hut is at 2100m height and it takes few hours on a stony path to reach
the "antécime". there is a lot of points on this large mountain: Stéphani, Skala,
Zilnia, Xerolaki and Skolio. There are also small towers or cliffs for rock climbing but nothing
similar to the superb Météora which is not to far from Olimbos.
My suggestion is to don't use the huts but to try a bivouac on the top or just under. In the
evening or morning (as you can see on one of the photos} the clouds go down and you stay above them.
The Greeks have a very good sense of hospitality and they are very kind and helpful with the
tourists.
Olimbos is the heart of Orphism, the secret mystic area in ancient Greece. It is just a peaceful
walk, a small climb and then you reach the top. Looking out at all the surrounding countryside, you
can almost hear the Voice of Gods.
A mountain of legends. A strange and very powerful mountain. You can "see" the
hoplytes running to fight near Troie or Marathon. You can imagine Achille or Alexandre the Great
ready for win or to die. A magic mountain. A mystérious mountain. If you bivouac on the top, stay
calm and wait. You should never bivouac alone on this summit.
The mountain is very complex. It's difficult to say where is the summit because there is a lot
of small points, valleys, anticlinal valleys, forests, ... the hightest point is Mytikas and there
is a road going up to the start of the walk. The rock is limestone but the cliffs are not very high.
You can make the normal route in two days if you want, with a rest at the hut at 2100m.
Remember that Philosophie, experimental Sciences and the Olympics Games all come from ancient
Greece.
(en français) "Dis leur: Je suis le fils de la terre et du ciel étoilé ma race est
celeste, vous le savez aussi" ainsi parla Orphée, prince de Thrace, Grand Prètre de Zeus,
dans son temple sur les flancs du Mont Olympe vers 1300 avant JC.
Getting there
Follow the road. There is good indications to reach Olimbos just with a road map. the town under
the SE face (normal route) is Litochoro. Your are close to the "golfe Thermaique" the
magic blue of the sea. From Athèns take the direction of Larissa. After I suggest you to don't go
in a normal way. Be receptive to Greece, to the land, and you can feel the spirit of Orphéus
everywhere. Remember what have said Jésus: "take only a pair of shoes, don't know where
you go to sleep this night or what you go to eat tomorrow". It's of course a exagerated but
this is a idea to discover this kind of mountains. Orphéus is to Greece what Jésus is to Israel:
an angle-stone sacrified for the shining of "Apollon". The légend said he was killed by
histerics women of Thrace somewhere in the forest at the base of mount Olimbos. His head was cut and
drop in the river Mélès. Homère the famous "writer" of "Iliad and Odysséus"
born near this river. I said this because the légends are very complex. Take a good book of
Mythologie, may be this help you better than too much normal infos. the légend say also that the
nightingales sing better than everywhere near the rivers coming from Mount Olimbos.
When to climb
All the Year. I suggest to go in this place out of the touristic season to be in peace. October
is a good time. The night are fresh on the mountain. In winter and spring there is snow and mountain
skis are necessary. At the end of spring it's a good idea to take a Ice Axe for the snow fields who
remain in the shadow.
Warning
This page on Mount Olimbos cann't be orthodoxe. The reason is my personnal
experience. "Thanks to the Gods of Olimbos. I have pray them in October 1977 on the top
of Mitikass point to help me. I spend a night alone waiting the answer. And in the first lights of
the day, They come to visit me. And They agree. Few month later, I was the first climber to
climb in solo and in winter the three most famous north faces of the Alpes: Matterhorn, Grandes
Jorasses, Eiger. When I made this photo on the top of Eiger, in march 1978 , I look to Greece
and I said to Them: "THANKS". This is the secret of Mount Olimbos." Ivano
Ghirardini
Hæsta fjall: Mt. Ararat (5166m.y.s.)
Sjá kort af fjallinu
Erfiðleikastig:
Tenglar:
Summitpost.com :
Myndir, aðstæður, leifi og fleira sem gott er að vita.
Myndir frá
Mt. Ararat.
Mt. Ararat í öllu sýnu veldi
Það var stuttu eftir að Guð skapaði jörðina sem Mt. Ararat fékk sinn fyrsta gest.
Sá var enginn annar en sjálfur Nói, besti vinur Guðs á þeim tíma. Sagan segir að
Guð hafi verið orðinn þreyttur á ólátum, hórdómi og ílsku hjá sínu eigin
sköpunarverki og því ákveðið að eyða allri ílsku af jörðinni. "Og Drottinn
sagði: "Ég vil afmá af jörðinni mennina, sem ég skapaði, bæði mennina, fénaðinn,
skriðkvikindin og fugla loftsins, því að mig iðrar, að ég hefi skapað þau.""
[1. Mósebók 6.7] Svo fór að Guð talaði til Nóa og sagði honum að smíða
örk. Í örkina átti hann að safna saman sjö hreinum kvenndýrum og sjö hreinum
karldýrum, en aðeins tveimur óhreinum kvenndýrum og tveimur óhreinum karldýrum. Nói
átti þrjá sonu, þá Sem, Kam og Jafet. Voru þeir allir kvæntir og fengu því
sjálfkrafa boðsmiða á Örkina. Nói kláraði örkina, fyllir allar lestar af dýrum og
Guð lokar á eftir honum; væntanlega þess fullviss að héðan í frá verði mannkynið stillt
og gott. Sjödögum síðar taka fljóðgáttir himinsins að opnast og það rignir í 40
daga og 40 nætur og jörðin fer á kaf. Ef ég túlka Biblíuna rétt þá rankar Guð
við sér eftir 150 daga og "minnist ... Nóa". Guð er svoddan gíddí gæji,
þannig að hann lætur vinda blása um jörðina og opnar gáttir hafa þannig að vatnið tekið
að réna. Eina nóttina vaknar Nói við skruðninga og læti og þykist nú viss um að
jörðin sé að nálgast meir og meir. Nói sendir út fugl til að athuga með
vatnshæðin og vogar sér ekki út fyrr en dúfuræfilinnn kemur ekki til baka. Guð opnar
örkina og við Nóa blasir hæsta fjall Tyrklanda, Mt. Ararat.
Leiðangrar hafa verið farnir til að leita að örkinni og hafa margir þóst sjá hana í
ísnum. Örkin hefur tekið niður nokkuð hátt í fjallinu því efstu 300 metrarnir eru
huldir jökli og örkin á einmitt að vera staðsett í ísnum.
Upplýsingar frá Summitpost.com
Mt. Ararat á sér langa sögu, ekki meðal fjallgöngumanna, heldur fyrir þær sakir að þarna
á Örkin hans Nóa að hafa strandað þegar vatnsyfirborðið tók að minnka eftir
sindaflóðið. Fjallið er hátt, eða rúmir 5000m. og því varasamt með tillit til
háfjallaveiki og storma. Oftast er fjallið klifið í júlí-ágúst en einnig er
hægt að fara það yfir vetrarmánuðina, en þá má búast við sterkum stormum og miklu
frosti. Klifurleifi þarf að fá hjá tyrkneska sendiráðinu, en leifisveitingar fyrir
útlendinga geta verið erfiðar, nema local klifurklúbbar hjálpi til. Suðurhlíðin
er auðveldust og ekki tæknilega erfið. Upp suðurhlíða eru tveir fjallaskálar, annar
í 3200m hæð og hinn í 4200m hæð.
Hæsta fjall: Mt. Hermon (2814m.y.s.)
Erfiðleikastig: Og hvað haldið þið. Fjallið er hernumið. Mjög erfitt að
klifra það, nema maður geti vikið sér undan byssukúlum.
Tenglar:
www.peakware.com:
Samkvæmt SummitLOG-inum þá er Hermon á hertenu svæði Ísraela og það kann ekki góðri
lukku að stíra. Fjallið er þétt setið hermönnum Ísrealsmanna og nálægt toppi þess
er njónastöð.
Hæsta fjall: Qurnat as Sawda (3088m.y.s.)
Erfiðleikastig:
Tenglar:
Fjallið er staðsett í norður hluta Mt. Líbanon. Qurnat as Sawdi, þýðir svart horn
á arabísku. Fjallið er hæðsta fjallið á austurströnd Miðjarðarhafs og á engan
sinn líkan á svæðinu þegar kemur að útsýni. Fjallið er auðvelt, en yfir
vetrarmánuðina þarf að taka tillit til snjóalaga.
Hæsta fjall: Jabal Um Al-Dami í Wadi Rum (1854m). Einnig talað um Jebel Ram
Erfiðleikastig:
Tenglar:
Hæsta fjall: Mt. Catherina (2629m.y.s.)
Erfiðleikastig: Þægileg ganga. Allir þurfa að taka með leiðsögumann sem gerir
gönguna ákveðnari.
Tenglar:
Summitpost.com
hefur greinagóða lýsinga af gönguleiðinni, sem ekki er flókin, og flottar myndir.
Peakware hefur
upplýsingar um fjallið
Mynd: Mt. Catherina á Sínaí-skaganum.
Mynd: Fjall Catherinu.
Mynd: Fjall Catherinu.
Textinn hér að neðan er fengin frá heimasíðunni "Walking
the Mountains of the World". Þar er einnig að finna flottar myndir af fjallinu og
gönguleiðinni
In the heart of the Sinai desert lies an area known as the High Mountain Region, an inevitable
lure to anyone suffering mountain madness. Here also lies St Catherine's Monastery, situated at the
foot of Jabal Musa (also known as Mt Moses or Mt Sinai) which is supposed to be the mountain on
which Moses was given the ten commandments. We had been searching for many years for a deal which
would allow us to climb both Mt Sinai and its neighbour Mt Catherine which is the highest mountain
in Egypt. However every package which we could find spends only one night in the area and climbs Mt
Sinai only, usually for sunrise. This time we were staying in Eilat in Israel close to the Egyptian
frontier but once again only one day or one night trips seemed on offer. At last we found an agent
willing to organize a special two night trip (see below).
The approach from the coast to St Catherine is a beautiful journey through classic desert
scenery of sand and camels. Eventually the road winds up out of the sand into an area of red rocks
and high mountains. On our first afternoon we climbed Gebel Musa. Because we had booked a full
package we were provided with a local guide for this climb although this is not really necessary. He
led us up the easy way, a camel trail which winds around the southern side of the mountain. The
famous 3000+ steps of repentance were apparently considered too hazardous for our advanced years.
The last 700 or so steps must be climbed by all however and camels cannot continue all the way to
the top. At the summit is a chapel, padlocked and sadly being allowed to decay, and a hut with a
very friendly keeper who sleeps on the mountain most nights and dispenses welcome hot drinks to
tourists at a very reasonable price. The view from here is quite magnificent, improving every moment
as the rocky hills around glowed ever richer red in the light of the sinking sun. As we walked down
the full moon was rising, a stroke of good fortune for us, giving a romantically memorable descent.
For the ascent of Mt Catherine it is mandatory to register with the police and to take a local
guide who is quite useful as there are no decent maps and a number of confusing trails. This is
organized by El-Sheik Mussa who lives in the village of St Catherine. His English is limited but
this was no problem for us as our tour guide organized everything.
The way starts along a valley below Mt Sinai which has some walled gardens with beautifully
blossoming trees. Beyond Ramadan's house, where Rock Hyrax are bred in captivity, the route becomes
much wilder, winding up on an excellent trail amongst spectacular rocky scenery. It reaches a spur
from which the rocky summit with its chapel comes suddenly into view. The path zigzags up an open
hillside to the foot of the final rocky cone. It is a little disappointing to see at this moment a
jeep track which comes up from another direction and terminates in a wide basin below the mountain's
twin summits. The higher top is soon reached from here up some rocky steps. It is crowned by St
Catherine's chapel which, like the one on Mt Sinai, is locked and falling into ruin. This
commemerates the fact that when Catherine died her body was carried by angels to the summit of this
mountain where it was found by monks three centuries later. The monks also built the trail to the
summit of the mountain.
The scenery throughout was spectacular so please don't miss my pictures
of the ascent.
We were staying in Eilat in Israel and this side trip into Egypt was arranged by Thelma Booker
of Thru Us Travel who most helpfully provided a 2 night trip instead of the standard one night
package which ascends only Mt Sinai.
Our tour guide in Egypt who organised our most enjoyable and hassle-free trip was Sherif
Omar
Textinn hér að neðan er tekin af Summitpost.com.
Overview
Gebel Katharina is Egypt's highest mountain and named after a saint who was martyred to death in
Alexandria. Angels carried her body to the top of this mountain. The monastery of Katharina claims
to have her head and one arm. Fact is, that there is a chapel on top of this mountain, the roof of
which shows many holes and the entrance is locked.
Starting point is the village El Malga (ca. 1500 m). A paved road leads here and the place has a
several small restaurant. One of its largest and modern building is the school. It is customary to
start the climb early (at 3.15 a.m. in our example). You need a torch, that can be rented, but I
preferred my own which keeps my hands free while walking. We entered the the Wadi (valley) El
Arbein, which is also the path you chose when climbing the Moses Mountain from behind. The first
stretch of 45 minutes is rather flat and leads along many beduin housing. After Deir El Arbain
(monastery of the 40 martyrs, no monks, used for other purposes, well maintained) cross the usually
dry creek and start climbing the north flank of Gebel Katharina.
There is not much to see in the dark of the night, except that the path is steadily going up
zigzagging. Unfortunately it was nearly new moon and I needed our electric light. When I turned it
off for a few seconds a clear sky full of shining stars gave a lasting impression. At about 5
o'clock a faint shimmer of light showed in the east and soon we could turn of the lamp. The Moses
Mountain watched us from the other side of the valley, but soon we looked down on it. We reached a
saddle and observed 2 mountains with similar altitude. Both had their buildings: one had antennas
coming out of its root and a rough road for 4 WD led to it from another valley. It must be Gebel
Zugeir, 70 years ago an American institute did some astronomical research up there; today it looks
rather military. Our building was reached in 15 minutes: it was a locked and dilapidated chapel.
From El Malgo (car park) to top 3.5 hours.
Map: South Sinai (Map of Attractions), Osiris Office, Cairo 1:250'000 with High Mountain Region
1:50'000.
Getting there
Gebel Katharina is in the region of the Saint Katharina, you can start from a local hotel or
start at midnight from a tourist center at the Gulf of Aqaba. No group travel is available for this
mountain. I hired a driver and a guide and paid for me and my wife 200 Swiss francs (ca. $ 120) plus
tip. (Prices as of March 2002). Car park at El Malga (restaurants, no hotel).
Red tape
I recommend to buy the trip at a travel office at a fixed price which includes car and guide.
This should include a car with a driver, who might meet you at the backside of the mountain. A
beduin mountain guide is compulsory. The driver knows where to find him in the Katharina area. Your
are not allowed to climb mountains without a guide. Each mountain has a fixed price. Anyway take
your passport with you, since there are many check points along the road.
If you want to climb without a travel office, you can hire cars (minimum rate of three days).
The gas is very cheap, 20% of European prices. Permits and guides can be obtained at the local Sheik
at El Malga, who is kind of tourist mangager.
The roads are paved, and generally in good condition. Sudden holes can pose a problem for
non-local drivers, if you drive at night at maximum speed. Speed limit is 80 km/h.
When to climb
Spring and autumn seem to be the best seasons. In winter the Sinai mountains are white of snow
and in summer it might get very warm. Even if the temperature is near 100°F (>35° C) at the sea
side, it can be around freezing point on the mountain tops at 6 a.m. A northern wind of 3 Bf is
quite common in the mountains at that time and is a sign of good weather. During the morning the
wind disappears and heats up the rocks, in the afternoon the nice wind starts again and makes
climbing pleasant. Southern winds may indicate a rising sand storm, which you should avoid. From
far, such a storm shows gray clouds which you might erroneously welcome as rain. Often southern
winds just disappear and leave an enormous heat in the afternoon. Sunrises are cold and windy. If
you have gloves, sweaters, wind jacket, warm and long trousers, solid hiking boots there is no
problem at all. Since there is normally no water available, 1.5 litres of liquid per mountain is
recommended.
Accomodation
If you only want to climb mountains in the Sinai, you will find accommodation near the
intersection below the monastery.
For instance: Daniela Village (hotel), Zetona Camping (tents to rent), Morganland Camping
(rooms and restaurant), El Raha Hotel and Salam Hotel.
The airport is not open!! (March 2002).
If you want to combine a water sport with climbing, I recommend Dahab,
which is 1.5 driving hours away on the Gulf of Aqaba. Dahab has many nice hotels on the beach,
hospital, taxies, etc. Due to a steady breeze it is excellent for wind surfing (beaufort 2-3). It
has also an Internet Café, but the emails I sent never arrived. The next international airport is
150 km south at Sharm El Sheik, bigger and noisier than Dahab, but too far away for one day climbs
in the Katharina region.
Personal Experience
We stayed in a nice hotel in Dabar on the Gulf of Aqaba. After early dinner we went immediately
to bed, after taking a light sleeping pill. The concierge should wake us at 11.45 p.m. At midnight
my wife woke up and wondered why nobody called the phone. We hurried out of bed, grasped our packed
rucksack and went to the hall. Our driver was there. The lunch package was also ready. But where are
the 3 large water bottles that I insisted on? 5 minutes later the tourist manager arrived and
brought us these bottles with 4.5 litter of water.
Now let us go! In the car we discovered a 4th person. Who is he? Chauffeur: the translator.
Indeed he spoke German quite well, although he has never been to Europe. Just learnt it at school in
Cairo. The vehicle was a new little bus and I had ample room to rest horizontally. After a little
more than one hour we reached the checkpoint below the Katharina monastery to pick up our beduin
guide. In addition to that, some paper work was done by our chauffeur and needed our passports.
After another 15 minutes we left for El Malga, the starting point of our climb.
In single file, the beduin, translator, my wife and me headed for Deir El Arbein. Still climbing
along the path to Moses
Mountain, the guide suddenly stopped, left the path, went down over rocks to the valley, climbed
up steeply on the other side and finally reached the trail to Katharina mountain. I got mad and
shouted at him: "The only thing I ask from you is finding the way in the dark!". No reply.
But he understood. He increased the speed as to show me, that his advantages are concentrated in his
legs and that he is fitter than his 60 and 70 years old guests. While my wife in her light gym boots
followed just 2 feet behind him whatever speed he choose, I kept with my solid hiking boots my
steady pace behind this group of three. After 20 minutes I saw the lights above me coming to a halt.
Our translator tried to keep pace, failed and lay exhausted on the ground. Passing them 3 minutes
later, I told her "come on, let's go to the top, the guide can take care of him". It was
bitter cold and I was not in the mood to stop, but my wife with her female helper syndrome felt
sorry for the guy who had no rucksack, just wearing a sweater, in one hand the lamp, in the other a
bottle of water. She gave him her wind jacket and asked him to wait until we were back.
When we reached the saddle 150 m below the summit, the sun rose and the solid granite shimmered
in wonderful red. My wife could not resist climbing directly to the top on this excellent rock. I
did not dare due to my metal hips and preferred the path.
On the summit the wind blew and the guide froze. He hid behind a rock and waited for the
descent. He carried only a flash light and a bottle of water. No rucksack, no food, no sweater, just
the cloth of the beduin, which is very practical. It serves as a sweater, as a sun protection and as
a mouth protector in a sand storm. He wore plastic sneakers. I changed my shirt, put on a woolen
sweater, a wind jacket and a cap; my wife put her down jacket. We felt warm and comfortable, studied
the surroundings and shot some pictures. My wife felt sorry for the hungry guide and gave him some
food. As a mean old guy, I disagreed and would not mind seeing a young guy hungry who is too lazy to
carry a rucksack. But she taught me about the difference in culture and about "in Rome do
as...".
What are the guides good for? Good question. You are not allowed to climb without them, this is
an employment policy. In case of accident, he could not help, he carries nothing with him. But he
could run down for getting help. Probably you could get a connection with a mobile phone, if you
choose a place where you can see the road down in the valley. If you run out of water he might find
the next source. He can pose for SummitPost pictures.
On our descent we found our friend and translator at the same place as we left him, trembling of
cold, although the sun shone. He joined us and felt warm after a few minutes.
Two days later I found out why our beduin took the wrong way at Deir El Arbain, where beduins
live. He was stationed near the Katharina monastery to guide people to the Gebel
Musa, which costs a fee of E£ 35 per person payable to the Sheik. The Gebel Katharina costs E$
80. So the guide pretended that we climbed the Gebel Musa. It is also possible, that our guide had
no right at all to lead us to the Gebel Katharina.
Hæsta fjall: Bikku Bitti (2267m.y.s.)
Erfiðleikastig: Mjög erfitt og ekki víst að ég komist á tindinn. Fjallið er
staðsett út í miðri Sahara, við landamæri Chad, í Tibesti fjallgarðinum.
Tenglar:
Hæsta fjall: Tahat Assekreme (3003m.y.s.), N 23°16' og E 5°37'.
Erfiðleikastig:
Tenglar:
Peakware.com
hefur smá texta um þetta fjall.
Í fljótu bragði fann ég ekkert um þetta fjall. Þó veit ég að það eru slóð,
erfiður, sem liggur neðan við fjallið. Það eru um 300-500m hækkun frá veginum upp á
fjallið.
Hæsta fjall: Mont Greboun (1944m.y.s.)
Erfiðleikastig:
Tenglar:
Hæsta fjall: Hombori Tondo (1155m.y.s.)
Erfiðleikastig:
Tenglar:
Franskur fjalla og
klifurklúbbur, vefurinn er á frönsku er hægt er að þýða hann með AltaVista
þýðingarvélinni.
