Tatra Mountains 2012

September 12th – 13th

By Watracz Is Traveling

This time I went to the Tatra Mountains quite spontaneously. I wanted to see the mountains in late autumn, just after the first snowflakes fall down on the ground. I was checking the forecast for a couple of days waiting for the right time for that little trip. On Friday, October 12th, I pack my gear and take a cab to the main coach station in Lublin. After 7 and a half hours of sitting in the coach, I’m in Zakopane. This time I manage to find better accommodation than last year, close to the railway and bus station, and at a fairly good price on top of that. After dinner I pack the stuff I need for my trip and go to bed.

Kasprowy Wierch

Early in the morning, I walk to Kuźnice and from there, take a cable car to Kasprowy Wierch. It’s cold and windy on the peak, so I put on my warm clothes and head towards the meteorological observatory.

The stairs up to the observatory are completely covered by a slippery layer of ice and I don’t have crampons, which would prove very useful in these conditions.

Dolina Gąsienicowa

From Kasprowy Wierch, I descend through the Sucha Dolina Stawiańska valley towards the Dolina Gąsienicowa valley. The empty chairs of the ski lift are hanging a couple of meters over my head.

Litworowy Staw

I stop for a break next to the Litworowy Staw lake. There are a lot of ducks on the lake, not necessarily afraid of tourists. A couple of them come closer when they see my sandwich.

The lake is very calm, the water is crystal clear, and I haven’t seen any tourists on the trail so far. It’s much warmer in the valley than on the peak of Kasprowy Wierch, so I put my cap and jacket in the backpack.

I move towards the Długi Staw lake, passing the Zielony Staw lake and the Czerwone Stawki lakes. Far away behind me there is the shelter on Kasprowy Wierch, which seems very small at this distance.

Beyond Długi Staw, the path becomes much more difficult and steeper. The stone path is covered by ice, slippery, and without crampons I have to put great effort into every step.

Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy

After a while of this climb, I reach the Karb Pass (1,853 m.a.s.l.), which greets me with a beautiful view of the Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy lake. I take a few photos and rest, having sandwiches and snacks on top of the pass.

On my way down through the very steep and narrow path, I meet a couple of tourists heading in the opposite direction. They ask if there is as much snow further on the trail; they are surprised to hear I managed to walk on icy stones without crampons. Going further down, I slip a few times – and land on my ass; but finally, I reach Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy.

Las Gąsienicowy

After this difficult and tiring route, I walk from Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy towards the Hala Gąsienicowa meadow. I decide to take a break at the Murowaniec Shelter, and later continue my walk to the Między Kopami Pass (1,499 m.a.s.l.). Far away, on the other side of Dolina Gąsienicowa, I can clearly see the top of the Giewont mountain.

I pass Wielka Królowa Kopa (1,531 m.a.s.l.), continue through the forest, and after several hours of hiking, I finally reach Kuźnice. I can’t feel my feet, so I get on a bus and ride back to Zakopane.

Early in the morning the next day, I pack my things, go to the coach station, and go back to Lublin. I’m pleased with the hike – my only regret is that it was so short.