Everything has been ticked off.Houston, we have lift off.Inch of Snow Brings London to a StandstillRiga For A DayWe made it to RussiaRussiaAndy V, we thought you might like this!University: Learning Amidst HistoryWedding AnniversarySunday stroll in the sunZa Zdorovie! (Cheers!)Today's explorationsCathedral CentralThe week continued...by JodiBIG Weekend!Russian experiencesLast week in St Pete's(Mis)AdventuresMoscow - Some fun answers to prayerOrphanage visitKremlin+15C!Warning: Rambling AheadSpecial Birthday CelebrationsEaster partyAn afternoon in town.VNDKhOur last visit at the babies home10 girls and snow come to stayAuschwitzWieliczka, PolandZakopane, PolandLwowek Slaski, PolandPrague in SpringFour countries in one day.4 countries cont.Ancient Sea-side CityThe View From the Ferry Split - DubrovnikNothing to do by the seasideRainRome was seen in a dayThe 300km homestretch!Leon, SpainDay OneBloody Hard Work!Up the MountainSnow!Cacabelos Albergue is the best one we have seen yetBrazilian AlberguePerserverence has its rewardsFantastic Lonely ForestsLoooong DayWalking With WalterWet DayPerserverence pays againThe Final Stage
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Zakopane, Poland
The next day we set out to hike to the ski fields by foot. The plan was to walk to the bottom of one of the ski lifts, catch it to the top and then catch the cable car down to the bottom. There were some nervous moments and imaginings of treacherous snow drifts, while we were at the bottom talking to the National Park info guy. We didn't understand all that he said, just that there was still snow at the top of the mountain. We didn't know if we were going to make it but we set out to try anyway.
The walk was long, but not impossible. We reached snow at about 1100m elevation (where we started was 900m maybe) and a rest point for lunch at 1200m. We walked over to a nearby lake which was unfortunately still frosen over. It made me glad I hadn't tried to hike to a more distant, and also more famous, lake further into the National Park. The walk to the chair lift after the lake was arduous, especially so because we were already quite tired. Continuing our run of successes unimaginable in Russia, we were able to buy a one ride ticket for the lift at the bottom of the lift (which we had been told we would be able to do before we started hiking, but in Russia that would have counted for nothing). At the top we watched some of the skiers for a while and had hot drinks in the chalet at the top of the mountain. (Jodi was proud to have her photo taken driking coffee at 2000m altitude). Jodi was totally stuffed, so I continued on to the nearby summit and Slovakian border alone. I forgot to mention: I have been to Slovakia. Unfortunately I didn't get a stamp in my passport for it.
We made our way down the mountain in the cable car and took our tired selves back to Krakow. A hugely enjoyable and surprisingly successful little trip.
Jodi: I think it's very, very important to mention that the hike was about 9 km in total, more than half walking through snow, up hill. And, to add to the old cliche, we weren't barefoot, but the "waterproof" boots bought in oz , we discovered, probably only meant that your feet don't get wet when walking through the rain. I can't tell you how relieved I was to reach the lift and have everything work out. There's no way I would have made it back,walking with wet feet through 9k's of snow!
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