Student vs. instructor. What we are saying at the course, what you note.
What you will read below is a perfect example of what it means to climb the mountains in winter, how you have to be prepared – both mentally and physically – and how not to play with nature. What we teach you during the course are tested and documented information. Do not treat it lightly or the actual trip will be a test that will shake you pretty hard. When you cannot predict how bad the weather is going to be, for example, you take into account the worst scenario. Still, when it comes to a group of 90 people, the situation is going to be one to talk about. If we tell you to come properly equipped for hiking and climbing, that our hike to the ridge is going to last for 8 hours, please do not come …with a trolley! I mean yes, seen that before, you see all kinds of situations. But adding a snowstorm, fog and – 10 degrees, this is not the case for jokes and a cigarette chat. To understand what I want to emphasize, let’s read what Octavian Oltean wrote after his trip with us to Parâng from 23 to 25 January 2015. A perfect example of a spiritual journey from theory to practice:
” My trip to the Parang on Saturday left me with some lessons and thoughts to share around, they would be helpful to you too if you are about to go hiking on winter months:
- for the first part of the route to the peak Parangul Mic I almost gave up and stayed behind entering the slow semi fainted category of trainees. At this point, I was handled by Cristi and Doru whom, with one hand carry me and with the other carried my backpack while telling me (in fact, shouting due to the heavy wind) that it wasn’t the most wonderfully place for a rest and that we were almost there. Now, although I felt my liver screaming due to the effort and in my mind swirled thoughts like: This is it! I am done! I cannot go any further! I am going back to the lodge! The mountains are not for me! Who the hell put me to sign up for this?! – I never actually really thought to quit.
I continued with small steps. Slowly but surely. This time in my head sounded the voice of Catalin Berenghi: “Say what? You cannot go any further? Why is that, mate? Should I give you the withdrawal form? Did you wake up at 5 am only to walk for two hours? Why is it that you cannot walk? Get up and see you can! ”
The conclusion: when you think you cannot do it anymore, it is only up to you to understand that you are drawing your own limits. In fact you are capable of much more than you think!
- Having been before up the mountain I thought I knew some things. Wrong! I realized on Saturday that I knew so little! I also learned so much more: how it feels like to go up the trail in winter, surrounded by fog, caught in a snow storm with strong wind; what it means to struggle to go on climbing even if the your body- temporarily – screams to go back; how a group of 90 people shows you that you can carry on; what wonders can do a helping hand in making you understand that you will do it on your own, that you will find the strength.
The conclusion: there are many things to learn in this life and you will never know enough.
- The good side of this experience – before and after I recovered from my state of weakness: I was always warm and felt no cold in three key places: my head, my hands and my feet – due to proper equipment. If I would have had problems with the cold, besides fatigue, in any of these 3 parts of the body, it would have been a mess.
ps .: although I had my mask with me I forgot to put it on the head when I left. Luckily Doru was around to make me pay attention: “Weren’t you at the course when we spoke about equipment rules? Where’s your mask?”)
The conclusion: pay attention to the theory at the courses when they explain what equipment is necessary. Even if a little financial effort is required in order to have a complete and appropriate equipment, it is worth every penny.
- Reaching the peak Parângul Mic and starting to feel well again I was glad that I managed to get up there. I knew that the route is going to ease up and the hardest part is behind me. I had the fortune that somebody researched the trail before leaving and informed me about the way things are going to be. Thanks M J !
The conclusion: it is good to get informed about the route before going up the mountain. So even if you do not know all the details, the few major junctions or landmarks along the way will help you to estimate how further along the route you are, how long before the end or until you reach another intermediary point.
Finally I want to thank the instructors from Christian Adventure for the “kicks” that encouraged me when I thought I cannot do it. This way I managed to reach the Carja refuge and our accommodation for that night. ”
OUR conclusion: As Octavian experienced the mountain will make you live an intense experience, learn more about yourself and your limits and how to overcome them. You just need to believe hard enough!
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