Hike #20: First Day Ridgeway (Czechia)

I spent last Christmas and New Year's Eve alone because of covid-19 which I apparently suffered (experienced many common symptoms). January 1st, this is the date my isolation is up. Besides, I feel quite Okay (which later on corona-testing supports). So I cannot miss the offer of a good friend of mine to join the first day hike of the year 2021. There is no better place where to hike but the legendary ridge of the Jeseníky Mountains (=at least for us, local mountains lovers)!

Cover photo (took at Ztracené kameny) of this post: Some see a wolf in the photo. What's your take on it? 😀

IMG_20210101_141419-01.jpeg


Alright, let's start. After standard climbing from Skřítek parking lot, we get to Ztracené kameny (loosely translated as Lost Stones) at 8 o'clock. This is the view from just underneath this famous point of interest.

IMG_20210101_085336.jpg


Today, it is going to be awesome weather - 0ish temperature, sunny and inversion at the lower altitudes.

IMG_20210101_085439.jpg


First views look promising. The visibility is splendid! Those peaks way behind, these are Králický Snežník. For sure I have visited these cool mountains too. You can read more about here.

IMG_20210101_090126.jpg


Vista from this rock formation which is 1250 m.a.s.l.

IMG_20210101_090209.jpg


Look at the opposite side. Yeah, it is not that easy to take a clear shot as these Lost Stones are very crowded spot.

IMG_20210101_090449.jpg


On the road now.

IMG_20210101_091358.jpg


Busy beaten footpath in the snow. Stuck stick determines the path when there is *** of snow 😁 (The mountains remember times when there was +2m of snow cover).

IMG_20210101_092613.jpg


IMG_20210101_093019.jpg


Bright sun over the horizon where you could see another major mountains - Beskids - which are, wait for it, more than one hundred kilometers as the crow flies. Wicked!

IMG_20210101_093053.jpg


That's where we are headed. Praděd in the middle.

IMG_20210101_093107.jpg


Obviously my camera is not that capable, but behind the Beskids, another significant mountains peep through (you must believe me), Malá Fatra (which I covered in this post if interested). We are blown away by such fantastic visibility.

IMG_20210101_094946.jpg


It's 10 o'clock, slowly approaching the spot where we can have a snack.

IMG_20210101_100450.jpg


But before that, we must fill up a bottle with fresh and cold water at 1311 m.a.s.l. at Jelení studánka (loosely translated as Deer spring).

IMG_20210101_100846.jpg


One has made a good angel in the snow there.

IMG_20210101_105218.jpg


Just reached the ultimate point of our journey - the magnificent mountain of the Jeseníky mountains - Praděd (1491 m.a.s.l.). With its radio tower, it is the highest fixed artificial point of Czechia (~1637 m.a.s.l.). Hurray!

Nope, we are not going there. Extremely crowded place 😆

IMG_20210101_115310.jpg


Alright. Now headed back. It is noon, the wind gets stronger. Halo phenomenon above the weather station.

IMG_20210101_121204_1.jpg


IMG_20210101_121624.jpg


If you zoom in and focus your eyes on the mountains on the horizon, you could see white smudged something - these are the Malá Fatra mountains.

IMG_20210101_121752.jpg


A shelter made out of stones. Actually it is quite nice inside. Handy place during harsh weather conditions.

IMG_20210101_131219.jpg


On our way back. Sun, visibility, clouds. Just superb.

IMG_20210101_134749.jpg


One panoramic photo.

IMG_20210101_134718.jpg


This kind of view leaves me speechless.

IMG_20210101_134803.jpg


A glimpse in the rearview mirror - Praděd.

IMG_20210101_133946.jpg


With such visibility like we do have today, perhaps the highest peak of Czechia - Sněžka (1603 m.a.s.l.) - is visible? Hard to tell, it is some 130 km away.

IMG_20210101_134910.jpg


My camera cannot stop taking pictures.

IMG_20210101_135653.jpg


It is 14 o'clock. Enjoying last breathtaking views.

IMG_20210101_140847.jpg


IMG_20210101_140916.jpg


Now finally descending. Need to get to the parking lot as I heard they might have some beer on tap?! Careful though, the path is very slippery (yep, I nicely slipped).

IMG_20210101_141534.jpg


Whoa, it is true. Their serving hatch (very common these days, isn't it) is open! I am pretty sure I can have one as a reward - Huhňák, a descent Czech beer in these tough corona-times.

IMG_20210101_150942.jpg


That is all. Thank you for reading this post. If you want to revive this trail in the spring conditions, check this out😀 Don't forget to check out my Pinmapple profile to see all places I have visited on the map!

PS: Next time, we are going to explore some other cool mountains. See you on the trail 😉

image.png

H2
H3
H4
Upload from PC
Video gallery
3 columns
2 columns
1 column
13 Comments