Hi friends!
I already have a tradition. On a Wednesday when it rains, to remember the walks that took place on some past Wednesday, when the weather was good.
So, today we are going on a not-so-simple walk to the top of the Lopata mountain!!!
My friends and I went to the mountains for several days, but for me this point was the main one.
One of my friends stayed in the camp, I went with other friend Sashko @obrij1991. It was a bit sad to leave our valley with small rivers, which had already become our temporary home. But the road calls... In order to get to the mountain, we had to go up the outermost street of the village along a path, trampled by tourists.
This gate is a symbolic art object for me. It is like a transition from the world of people to the world of nature and wild mountains. A metal mesh was recently attached to it on one side, and there is emptiness on the other. No one lives in the old house, but apparently they come sometimes.
The village remained in the valley and looked like a toy. We met a stork and unfortunately he ran away and did not want to pose for a photo. Later, my friend pushed forward strongly. The road here is simple, sometimes you can meet locals and after all I was here for the third time. Therefore, I decided to enjoy solitude.
What is the most important thing for me in this trip? To not rush. To observe nature and take photos, rest when I need it and move on. It is unlikely that I could walk so slowly in a group of people... But I walked along the edge of the woods and looked closely at the details.
Pines, birches, spruces, beeches and other bushes grow here. Everyone is looking for their place under the sun.
Interesting red berries, incredibly beautiful mosses, hairy acorns on a beech tree... All this made me stop.
It was a bit hot, so I was happy when the real beech forest finally started. The trees here often have bizarre shapes, with twisted trunks or very thick branches, sometimes they grow like families of several trees together. The ascent became steep at times, so I rested on stones or logs.
This place reminds me of some ancient grave. I don't know what it is.
The roots of mountain trees are my special love. They know how to live in difficult conditions!
And tasty blueberry berries are food and drink at the same time. These berries are very useful.
One of the climbs in the forest was quite long and steep, but it meant that the top was near. The next reminder was a large glade of wild sorrel, which is the hallmark of Lopata Mountain. To be honest, I was already tired and dreamed of being on the ridge.
And here is the reward for my efforts. After the dark forest, I saw the scenery of the surrounding mountains. The woman who picked berries on the mountain itself said that my friend was already at the top. After walking along the ridge, I also went to him. A pleasant breeze helped to cope with the heat. The climate there is strange, it is hot and, but in the shade, on the contrary, it is cold. Mountains...
Under these firs is the place where we spent the night last year.
Hooray!!! On the top there is a cross in memory of the battle between the Ukrainian soldiers of the UPA and the Nazis. I remember that at this very moment, many kilometers away, battles are also taking place in my country. Someone right now is protecting my life and my opportunity to travel like this.
The town of Skole is so tiny!
We had a few hours to just relax on the mountain. It was my longtime dream to just sit and look into the distance, listen to music, take a nap, eat something, walk here and there and have mountains everywhere. It is such a good feeling to see the sky above you and the mountains under your feet. I would like to encourage all people to go on such trips. At such a moment, I do not understand why, instead of exploring of this planet, people fight and do evil, like our neighbors.
The return to camp was much easier and faster than the ascent. The evening gave its coolness. I gratefully looked through these native landscapes, recognizing some individual trees or places.
An unexpected encounter with a copper-colored snake.
The favorite river means that we are already close to the tents. A dinner cooked on the fire awaits us.
Many thanks for your support and reading!!! Stay close! Join the great initiative by @tattoo-djay if you like the walks in Wednesday!
