Sunny autumn days are one of the ideal periods for hiking in the Retezat Mountains. Tourist routes are still accessible and nature offers a comforting sight. Mountain rescuers draw the attention of travelers to be properly equipped for the mountain and to take into account the weather outside.
Lolaia Waterfall and Nucșoarai Valley – Pietrele from Retezat. Photo Daniel Guță THE TRUTH
Dozens of tourist routes are laid out and marked in Retezat, one of the most attractive mountain areas in Romania, but with the approach of winter, some of the routes are becoming more and more difficult to access, and the risks to which inexperienced hikers are subject are increasing.
On Saturday evening, a traveler wearing city shoes needed the help of mountain rescuers after he got stuck in a steep area.
The 40-year-old man from the Republic of Moldova had arrived near the Closed Gates, on a difficult ridge route. He was too tired to continue his hike, nor did he have the proper gear to spend the night on the mountain in the inclement weather.
“The lone hiker, exhausted after a route too long for his strength and poorly equipped for the current weather conditions, was found and lowered at the foot of the mountain”informed Salvamont Hunedoara.
The man was recovered with the help of ropes and launch and traction systems, several rappels and lifting maneuvers being necessary to bring him to the ridge.
Retezat Peak. Photo: Daniel Guță. TRUTH
It was not the only complex intervention on the mountain, in which the mountain rescuers from Retez participated in the last months. Injured tourists, lost after deviating from the marked routes or who did not dose their effort well for the ascents on the steep and sometimes risky paths in Retezat called for their help.
Mountain rescuers recommend that hikers, as always, before embarking on mountain expeditions during this period, check the weather forecast in the area where they are traveling and the conditions for climbing the mountain. Tourists should pay attention to the quality of equipment and clothing, stay hydrated and fed, and avoid risky actions.
Why autumn can be ideal for hiking in Retezat
Most tourist routes in Retezat are accessible during this period, and the forest roads in the Retezat National Park can be crossed by car, even if the representatives of the reserve announce that the condition of the roads can be affected from day to day by the changing weather conditions on the mountain .
From mid-November, some roads used by tourists, such as the one between Lake Gura Apelor and Poiana Pelegii in Retezat, preferred by those who want to reach Lake Bucura faster, will be closed during the winter. Thus, the routes to the glacial lakes will be less and less accessible. Instead, the route to the Lolaia Waterfall remains accessible (video) which continues towards Pietrele and Gențiana cabins.
Also, as the weather cools, the ridge areas will become more difficult to explore and the risks for tourists will increase, due to humidity and frost. The shortening of daylight will also reduce the time allocated to excursions, and the low temperatures on the ridges that reach almost 2,500 meters will make travel difficult.
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The road on Valea Pietrele to Lolaia, Retezat Photo Daniel Guță THE TRUTH (131) jpg
Until then, sunny autumn days can be an ideal time for trips to Retezat. Among the reasons listed by travel enthusiasts who have reached the mountain are the following:
Autumn’s color explosion: Retezat National Park (video – The truth) extends over more than 40,000 hectares, and more than half of its surface is covered with forests of various varieties. In autumn, travelers find on the mountain some of the most spectacular mixtures of colors in the vast forests of Retezat. It’s an ideal weather for taking photos, some hikers think.
The weather is mild: In the deep and wet valleys of the Retezat and in the alpine area, travelers may feel the discomfort caused by low temperatures, humidity and cold wind, but during this period, the cold is bearable for most hikers and the sun has the power to warm the atmosphere. The clean mountain air also contributes to the success of an outing in nature.
Autumn is the time of harvests: In the villages at the foot of the Retezat and even on the mountain trails, tourists can find fruits of nature, pumpkins, grapes, walnuts, apples or the fruits of fruit trees. In general, being outside the summer or winter tourist season, the accommodation prices at the guesthouses in the Hațeg area and in Râușor (video) or the Jiului Valley – the entrance “gates” to Retezat are also smaller.
Mountain hiking tips
Salvamont Hunedoara offers a series of tips to tourists who climb the mountain trails during this period:
– Find out about the proposed itinerary, the degree of difficulty of the route, as well as the weather conditions. Also take a map of the area.
– Choose the necessary equipment, materials and food, depending on the season and weather conditions, also anticipating special situations.
– Start your journey early, but avoid going alone.
– Measure your strength and follow the rules of hygiene and nutrition when exercising.
– Inform the cabin owner, mountain rescuers or relatives about the route you want to follow and the approximate time of return.
– Choose routes according to the fitness of the weakest member of the group.
– Don’t leave the path. Follow the trail markers and signs.
– Respect the restrictions imposed on certain sections of the route;
– In the event of difficulties or worsening weather, retreat to the nearest shelter or call for help. Under no circumstances leave behind those who are tired or injured.
– In the event of a storm or electrical shocks, leave the ridge immediately and do not shelter near rocks or lonely trees.
– If in case of fog you send someone to research, he must not go further than you can hear him.
– Do not consume alcoholic beverages before or during hiking.
– In the event of an accident, react promptly and effectively to protect and secure the victim.
– In case of wandering, keep the unity of the group. Stay awake and aware. Get moving to prevent hypothermia. Notify Salvamont (Salvamont phone: 0725.82.66.68 or 0-SALVAMONT).
According to mountain rescuers, communication and navigation systems (compass, phone with GPS applications, map), appropriate clothing (waterproof equipment for rain or snow, thick sweater or fleece, hat and gloves, boots, loose clothing that won’t embarrass you and won’t make you sweat.
Water bottle, food, flashlight (with spare batteries), first aid kit, fire lighter or matches, a blanket that could be used as an emergency shelter and a garbage bag that does not they must be thrown on the mountain.
