UKC Forums - Polish Tatra Mountains

Polish Tatra Mountains

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Oli_31 18 Sep 2012

Looking at a trip to the Tatra Mountains this winter, anyone got any info as to the best time to go? reports suggest it get's avalanche prone later in the season but work commitments may mean I can't get out there until February, is this too late?

Any other invaluable advice gratefully received?

cheers

Oli

higherclimbingwales 18 Sep 2012

In reply to Oli_31: Feb will be fine for snow etc but as mentioned Avalanches can be major issue. I have done three winters out there and one of them was a wipeout for climbing so we went skiing instead.
The huts are cheap and camping in the park is stricly banned (esp on the slovak side). We got the bus to Zakopane from Krakow which cost about £10. though it did take a few hours.
Get youself a polish phrasebook. although they mostly speak quite good english, it does come in handy for those who don't! any other specific questions, drop me an email.

OP Oli_31 18 Sep 2012

In reply to higherclimbingwales:

Thanks for the info HC may well mail you later this week

cheers

Oli

Chris Beck 20 Sep 2012

In reply to Oli_31: February wont be too late. If its anything like last february , temps were down to -25 in Zakopane in the day...making climbing up high a challenge!
There was also alot of snow last year , making getting to the base of the walls almost impossible without skis...but this was an exceptionally strong winter.
The main areas on the polish side are Hala Gasienicowa and Morskie oko , the later having one of the biggest walls in the Tatras.
Both have really nice huts , see links below.
If you stay in Zakopane as your base , expect long approach's (2.5/3 hrs normal in winter)
Morskie oko hut to climbing(30mins), Gasiencowa hut to climbing(1/1.5hrs)
If you stay at Morskie oko , they have a climbers hut behind the main hut thats cheaper(same booking number)
The closer stuff to Zakopane is the west Tatras , but its banned as its a nature reserve.
Around 30mins from Zakopane is Dolina Bialej woda , its a good waterfall ice area( the closest easy access area...well that your allowed to go to anyway)
If there is too much snow , at least you have good skiing( if you dont ski its a cheap place to learn)
Any more info your after just message me ,glad to help.

Chris

http://taternik.net/

http://supertopo.pl/

http://www.schroniskomorskieoko.pl/index.html

http://www.murowaniec.e-tatry.pl/index_en.php

http://www.lodospady.pl/

marius 26 Sep 2012

In reply to Oli_31:
Hey Oli

Tatra Mountains has great peaks and routes on both Polish & Slovakian side.
I have been there many times as I am originally from Poland.
Last time i went ther, it was in 2009 and it was almost late March.
Lots of snow, but not too cold.
As previous readers emailed, if you go in January of February it can be very very cold, so be prepared.

We usually stay in Murowaniec hut, which has great access to good climbes and is located next to Betlejemka hut which belongs to Polish Alpine Club.
At the beginning of February there is a 2 weeks winter holiday, so it might be crowdier.
Check this web www.murowaniec.e-tatry.pl they are in english.

Hope you will have great time

ps.

if you got any more questions, drop me a line

best

marius