tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33392817360812257102024-03-19T02:25:40.966-07:00Summit for CAFTraveling the globe and climbing to new heights in support of the Challenged Athletes Foundation.pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-75492133838922095572023-11-22T06:29:00.000-08:002023-11-22T06:29:59.592-08:00#31 Volcán Tajumulco, Guatemala High Point<p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">At 13,845 feet tall, Tajumulco is not only the highest mountain in Guatemala but also the highest in all of Central America. Because if its remote location near the the country's western border with Mexico, lack of tourist infrastructure, and perhaps State Department advisories warning against travel to the San Marcos District of Guatemala due to crime, relatively few people climb Tajumulco. On the contrary we felt very safe and welcomed by every local we crossed paths with on our journey and experienced a level of courtesy and outwardly warm and friendly greetings on streets unlike in most places in the U.S. This was true of our entire time spent in both Guatemala and short time earlier in El Salvador. Nonetheless we prearranged a local guide for the hike to have some extra reassurance and to eliminate any need for route finding along the way. Wilman De Leòn Pèrez came recommended to us and his lack of English gave us a good opportunity to practice our Spanish during our seven-hour round trip hike from the trailhead to the summit and back. </span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z5aUidKkejc1fdqoDsp24K-7tJLtF2axCZUypoBE3WqhJgn3gC_-irG19YkiJulYqqbb50beFb5u3buLh0_DyeebOESMZfYYm0QJCbIEXliUFJxr3V9Hc9XJ1j7bLrE8eDpNuKgyJ7Y2KhAsM-2RHLzYQB_I7ifW2IEe_mbWdYGetCFj33Hs0rHHgf8/s2048/IMG_3162.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z5aUidKkejc1fdqoDsp24K-7tJLtF2axCZUypoBE3WqhJgn3gC_-irG19YkiJulYqqbb50beFb5u3buLh0_DyeebOESMZfYYm0QJCbIEXliUFJxr3V9Hc9XJ1j7bLrE8eDpNuKgyJ7Y2KhAsM-2RHLzYQB_I7ifW2IEe_mbWdYGetCFj33Hs0rHHgf8/s320/IMG_3162.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div>After a not-so-much fun hour-long drive on dark winding mountain roads from the town of San Marcos to our meeting point with Wilman (we love Google Maps but don't enjoy yet again being re-routed onto barely navigable and closed roads) we safely parked at the trailhead at 6 AM. Here at an elevation of ~10,000 feet, strong winds attempted to rip the doors off our rental car as we greeted the cold, cloudy and wet conditions we were about to subject ourselves to. The beginning part of the trail is a steep mountain road leading to a handful of ramshackle farmers' dwellings where a pack of aggressive dogs charged us, snarled and showed their teeth but we kept them at bay with our trekking poles until we exited their territory. <p></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEnhY0pzFROP3nnW9yxSvyD-2UF4rufSpcDPVjgMzTgKXDSTgLXz5POUfI3-KeeLOTE_icAe3CLENQzzmZWoMMurR7ydWI0svS1L7HqqSH2CVCTVln9mAjbDTRYSEcsQkfBrIQNcgXCT4EvTZZ6RnshebjiixCyFPCmAPW0Kq-E7Ujn6BbzY9T19jy9U/s2048/IMG_3165.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEnhY0pzFROP3nnW9yxSvyD-2UF4rufSpcDPVjgMzTgKXDSTgLXz5POUfI3-KeeLOTE_icAe3CLENQzzmZWoMMurR7ydWI0svS1L7HqqSH2CVCTVln9mAjbDTRYSEcsQkfBrIQNcgXCT4EvTZZ6RnshebjiixCyFPCmAPW0Kq-E7Ujn6BbzY9T19jy9U/s320/IMG_3165.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWKZa8adABzSBJzGUbNu8y916N5d5ZD6cDzuWlI-7aXLGaqM7_9ihY9Hx-Yhd7kJFfhDbtW27wXg-O8rHDwM5_iLgOVmQtkmyguOS866Ll3yjv85Clo5-zM1t_aqTOEbPCVAn9MXfHghtmMN0BsVDnswN8sTR5pZQroSimF2oR7bcVmjOKMDdApl1qG4/s2048/IMG_3167.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWKZa8adABzSBJzGUbNu8y916N5d5ZD6cDzuWlI-7aXLGaqM7_9ihY9Hx-Yhd7kJFfhDbtW27wXg-O8rHDwM5_iLgOVmQtkmyguOS866Ll3yjv85Clo5-zM1t_aqTOEbPCVAn9MXfHghtmMN0BsVDnswN8sTR5pZQroSimF2oR7bcVmjOKMDdApl1qG4/s320/IMG_3167.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UcK6IAIe1WSUI6J6F2_SALFQ7mBhwD3n0ehQiKW6QHAXQntEORrxGYly84Z1V-GTVQ05nGLAMD7MZv24lW-UZxLKTCyFDUsdvn2GoltinzjgFtX4ZbAsrgvjzulkg3FS_qqUf8iUOGdNXYmoMttUHyf6opU1HZyJzkKVhc7VGGDV8WjAdk4x6nu4oLc/s2048/IMG_3173.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UcK6IAIe1WSUI6J6F2_SALFQ7mBhwD3n0ehQiKW6QHAXQntEORrxGYly84Z1V-GTVQ05nGLAMD7MZv24lW-UZxLKTCyFDUsdvn2GoltinzjgFtX4ZbAsrgvjzulkg3FS_qqUf8iUOGdNXYmoMttUHyf6opU1HZyJzkKVhc7VGGDV8WjAdk4x6nu4oLc/s320/IMG_3173.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Not long thereafter we entered a protected reserve and enjoyed lots of greenery as the vegetation changed from tropical to alpine forest as we ascended higher. Above the tree line the foggy cloud cover remained as we encountered a series of Catholic monuments depicting Jesus bearing the weight of a cross. They were emblematic of the arduous pilgrimage to the top and also served nicely as trail markers. </span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBWi275W_Ln5ntmDDuO3KMEn2VehIEuyMEi1FahSuiaEboslVHDRbVPBhhmLzynccEd_u5I6pwdtLdgJ3WosyNgqWMojq2jLsdo9iGG9DBD8tk3SzHHrhnmWm_Lb2m8QS05DpohyphenhyphenQomFEJ7QDKUbj0U4c2ApDzftIuzlJFOOUfWQK1AY28jUn-QjceAk/s2048/IMG_3176.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBWi275W_Ln5ntmDDuO3KMEn2VehIEuyMEi1FahSuiaEboslVHDRbVPBhhmLzynccEd_u5I6pwdtLdgJ3WosyNgqWMojq2jLsdo9iGG9DBD8tk3SzHHrhnmWm_Lb2m8QS05DpohyphenhyphenQomFEJ7QDKUbj0U4c2ApDzftIuzlJFOOUfWQK1AY28jUn-QjceAk/s320/IMG_3176.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As we climbed higher nearing the crater rim around 9:30 AM, as if by divine intervention, the clouds parted and blue skies and bright sunshine emerged. The wind was powerful but we were happy to have a clear view atop Tajumulco the highest point in Central America</span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLF5LpCIxVW2Z8q8-jcluAuTrEiIKNiRB0YaREa-5WkiVAWkDOLym4CGCMw9ZTGaQiQnGWzhA4DXrKpMg1lVRlGdE4i50CkmCVt5MsC4snFZEtC6DZA94UdGKxUwEgRQTh6wy8Fu8hYXIkzbmiDYZT1mn8QrQpcu8wNCQw3ec-j4zLutxSmBJoIhgiBck/s2048/IMG_3192.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLF5LpCIxVW2Z8q8-jcluAuTrEiIKNiRB0YaREa-5WkiVAWkDOLym4CGCMw9ZTGaQiQnGWzhA4DXrKpMg1lVRlGdE4i50CkmCVt5MsC4snFZEtC6DZA94UdGKxUwEgRQTh6wy8Fu8hYXIkzbmiDYZT1mn8QrQpcu8wNCQw3ec-j4zLutxSmBJoIhgiBck/s320/IMG_3192.JPEG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tajumulco Summit 13,845' Nov. 12 ~10AM<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span></p>pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-56846069347939302682023-11-19T06:50:00.000-08:002023-11-19T06:50:46.716-08:00Volcán Acatenango, Guatemala <p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After our short visit to the top of El Salvador, we retraced our route along the potholed mountain roads back into Guatemala. After 9 hours of driving we arrived in Antigua, the prior capital of Guatemala until the city was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. Guatemala City is the current capital but Antigua (Spanish for old or ancient) has now been restored to a picturesque World Heritage site surrounded by three volcanoes. </span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hNPFcC3CVIt1qs51hmNVfWDVx5MLdePdNOvQzX44Bc9WLS4O_wCs-IXIY1QaS6QbplczucK2BNqWFm9CwHKqgpa0mhoMFaoCu6HBA5yg5nXIKqWhQx8q3SM9RgKWH3p5Hy_rJrC8SUlRI-yGU1KBVeXD_md2JcEcEgvtmuRsL1q8XCqjGmIt4AJNPrQ/s2048/IMG_3027.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1535" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hNPFcC3CVIt1qs51hmNVfWDVx5MLdePdNOvQzX44Bc9WLS4O_wCs-IXIY1QaS6QbplczucK2BNqWFm9CwHKqgpa0mhoMFaoCu6HBA5yg5nXIKqWhQx8q3SM9RgKWH3p5Hy_rJrC8SUlRI-yGU1KBVeXD_md2JcEcEgvtmuRsL1q8XCqjGmIt4AJNPrQ/s320/IMG_3027.JPEG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Arco de Santa Catalina, Antigua w/Volcan Agua</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br />One of those volcanoes, 13,045 foot high Acatenango was our next objective. Its popularity among adventure seekers is due to its close proximity to the adjoined neighboring Volcán de Fuego which is </span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1},"fontHints":1}" style="font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">extremely</span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> active and was erupting every 30-45 minutes during our stay. Our trip was inspired by our good friend Dan O'Brien who did this same hike two and a half years ago, and at his recommendation we opted to camp overnight with Ox Expeditions. Their campsite at 11,600 feet on the slopes of Acatenango (also an active volcano) has an impressive vantage point of Fuego to safely watch the volcano's stunning molten rock explosions and lava displays that are even more impressive at night. Each time it happened, while eating dinner or watching from our tent, it was equally exciting and a phenomenal display. </span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCCSGeyF9iiIPlDVNuuQbRGJv9_yHwjTpZpoPINoiPheFP1oNGLjR0G4BCnJbElAxdgilEQKkuDEGUD5hcsZGjsEMLy2CLrGk7CSsBprV7lf6wZUM7bv7AhyMucMLDmg2SOb1SA4PVml1xbiPE4OqDLSOSWcrEjt2JJqU9VmIXkiKrm0tEokQta7V8qU/s2048/IMG_3069.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCCSGeyF9iiIPlDVNuuQbRGJv9_yHwjTpZpoPINoiPheFP1oNGLjR0G4BCnJbElAxdgilEQKkuDEGUD5hcsZGjsEMLy2CLrGk7CSsBprV7lf6wZUM7bv7AhyMucMLDmg2SOb1SA4PVml1xbiPE4OqDLSOSWcrEjt2JJqU9VmIXkiKrm0tEokQta7V8qU/s320/IMG_3069.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6neCaD3598C-SFpygtavfUqcIgOf27E3_d83XbRgmZ44TVERpcx7FN7x97ISDf-NIIb1Jtff1H0yf0doMbwOxA0CvHVQfVW-VBECvPnxh8SGhBNPwcOA8JmmpIHNWExkpuip6URWqINPs8qk6yiDba0uZBg5OYAiJPparfmkNigrWBQ4RztRiag3-0aM/s2048/IMG_3088.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6neCaD3598C-SFpygtavfUqcIgOf27E3_d83XbRgmZ44TVERpcx7FN7x97ISDf-NIIb1Jtff1H0yf0doMbwOxA0CvHVQfVW-VBECvPnxh8SGhBNPwcOA8JmmpIHNWExkpuip6URWqINPs8qk6yiDba0uZBg5OYAiJPparfmkNigrWBQ4RztRiag3-0aM/s320/IMG_3088.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXUu221MBpn5tvwfcnvU_VHArFAHQk-nUtpRhDFD7WyQyKq7mHuXUd8wmIUg9_myXH53C9vRCByVxmZIQ81zO24g1DoTAjDrVFoQyH0Xlp0t9VcqL5Ps51rX_WUFOzUM4fuUMKL4I-2A3AH-Xj6666aaij7-Toj67Y5tWn24C6ZPLZJQeOYItyZpQxKY/s1938/IMG_3094.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1938" data-original-width="1623" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXUu221MBpn5tvwfcnvU_VHArFAHQk-nUtpRhDFD7WyQyKq7mHuXUd8wmIUg9_myXH53C9vRCByVxmZIQ81zO24g1DoTAjDrVFoQyH0Xlp0t9VcqL5Ps51rX_WUFOzUM4fuUMKL4I-2A3AH-Xj6666aaij7-Toj67Y5tWn24C6ZPLZJQeOYItyZpQxKY/s320/IMG_3094.JPEG" width="268" /></a></div><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally we decided to go to sleep after watching "just one more" eruption as we knew we had an early morning ahead. The alarm woke us up at 3:30 AM and our group was on our way towards the summit shortly after 4:00 to catch the sunrise at the top. We had some strong winds and surprisingly cold conditions (for Central America) and arrived at the crater rim a little before 5:45 AM. The sunrise was a magnificent display of color illuminating the continuing "Strombolian" eruptions of Fuego and the warmth of those sun rays was welcomed by all. </span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhjz8O32i5CB24eBzYz1fOOVDRA0gS1PxXLZ-Gcx4sbvmo0DnW6dFYRoGJuspvDziA7iIwgPV3dpEVixaR7lHyofJ9EkMEiM-gEfV7m1asjgTHKPHZCj4PXHfXRz0JPJ2_dxgo0FQZfBKkDspDN_EtrtAQW9blAs0CmLMjUaI2Ua3vvc-nuJk1L9INrA/s2048/IMG_3100.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhjz8O32i5CB24eBzYz1fOOVDRA0gS1PxXLZ-Gcx4sbvmo0DnW6dFYRoGJuspvDziA7iIwgPV3dpEVixaR7lHyofJ9EkMEiM-gEfV7m1asjgTHKPHZCj4PXHfXRz0JPJ2_dxgo0FQZfBKkDspDN_EtrtAQW9blAs0CmLMjUaI2Ua3vvc-nuJk1L9INrA/s320/IMG_3100.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TNlx2UmYyqIwlZOYyb7VlTkfotOrD5zy0fBR0QnF9alsksLK6cMk1jJuBlc_dbNDDAx4J70G5Iye-J3j8mZ4X6YksnLfATdnfsvB6DAgU-a5lVR3Un42kLzyzuA8y7IIw24-qNOOZoOsiFTgu2CNqcjUd8JH7AU6rMbwk3aMrmyAfwrU8COxTMH43lg/s1559/IMG_3335.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1559" data-original-width="1179" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TNlx2UmYyqIwlZOYyb7VlTkfotOrD5zy0fBR0QnF9alsksLK6cMk1jJuBlc_dbNDDAx4J70G5Iye-J3j8mZ4X6YksnLfATdnfsvB6DAgU-a5lVR3Un42kLzyzuA8y7IIw24-qNOOZoOsiFTgu2CNqcjUd8JH7AU6rMbwk3aMrmyAfwrU8COxTMH43lg/s320/IMG_3335.JPEG" width="242" /></a></div><p></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Denise and I separated from the rest of our group in order to hike the short additional stretch around the volcano rim to reach the true summit. Although Acatenango is not the highest peak in Guatemala (it's the third) a picture at the very top was still warranted. From this spot we were able to see a stark outline of the volcano's own shadow cast in the background alongside some of Guatemala's other volcanoes. The highest of which is next on the agenda. But first we had to hike back down more than 5,000 vertical feet to the trailhead and get back to Antigua for a well-deserved massage! </span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQX1BCEAOWkCCvJpEcIebJfjcnMXPaQeZzvqoN-AZkr0SyECgJ-I9eQuWfIzCRO2zBzPjhyeCEmS6OjOUOc7hSH-T3swW3ZeG7LURr7N7B8yfQCskCgBkqGI37tmO5mgyc7vq8h69UalGtUFY8xikMsFPh2D3VqvVV8VbbwQZ3sfKf9Fnk2RPYszbTMrM/s2048/IMG_3134.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQX1BCEAOWkCCvJpEcIebJfjcnMXPaQeZzvqoN-AZkr0SyECgJ-I9eQuWfIzCRO2zBzPjhyeCEmS6OjOUOc7hSH-T3swW3ZeG7LURr7N7B8yfQCskCgBkqGI37tmO5mgyc7vq8h69UalGtUFY8xikMsFPh2D3VqvVV8VbbwQZ3sfKf9Fnk2RPYszbTMrM/s320/IMG_3134.JPEG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acatenango Summit Nov. 10 ~6AM<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span></p>pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-53345490111133920032023-11-18T06:31:00.000-08:002023-11-18T06:31:16.275-08:00#30 El Pital, El Salvador High Point<p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After being grounded from international travel while my passport renewal was being processed this summer, we are free to travel again and began our Central American adventure on Nov. 6th. </span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cerro El Pital is one of those remote and unique places that we would never get to experience had we not decided to climb the highest mountains in as many countries as possible - this was #30. On the rugged border between El Salvador and Honduras, the hike begins from a tiny village at 7,300 feet called Rio Chiquito which of course is muy fun to say! Just getting to Rio Chiquito (see isn't that fun) was more of a challenge than the short 5-mile round trip hike itself. We arrived into Guatemala City early in the morning, I got my first stamp in my new passport, we grabbed a rental car and headed southeast towards the El Salvador border. After battling traffic, poor Guatemalan roads, slow and pollution spewing trucks and "chicken busses" on windy mountain roads laden with enormous potholes, three hours later I received my second passport stamp at the El Salvador border control.</span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutiIuYKM2h57HxRzgjhbAtRVvt9Bn5XX3WmRiprxdWgmjyz6-xzdPKqkI36dzhPIJxH37DtFFAzXwjD6IJSIdlbI2clBtlqsRlEaSHrbJ8wgy8L-KRJZ-UDvBki4h9JDS0Des5sWnuTen3APlIWp_SETfkyMSUCjWasw7emrx3xjisxB9405cSYqo_a8/s2048/IMG_3329.JPEG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutiIuYKM2h57HxRzgjhbAtRVvt9Bn5XX3WmRiprxdWgmjyz6-xzdPKqkI36dzhPIJxH37DtFFAzXwjD6IJSIdlbI2clBtlqsRlEaSHrbJ8wgy8L-KRJZ-UDvBki4h9JDS0Des5sWnuTen3APlIWp_SETfkyMSUCjWasw7emrx3xjisxB9405cSYqo_a8/s320/IMG_3329.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtjW5-jVyFIPeFidt80G9Yez5Kbmk_mFD66Z-mcd0d2pQTwgwxpdUsBMdr5s27D4ntKa0dmGXLsmMYzq9ctuJAu3z2L-0ZhGxndUs7E5PRu7sKtfGNNwoiJetBZnuKh0vHpwX18Xqh3CmaK8SZMWB9a5UvJhnbUPQyOwg_S2o5t_VWbXl98Rufl_rr48/s2048/IMG_2885.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtjW5-jVyFIPeFidt80G9Yez5Kbmk_mFD66Z-mcd0d2pQTwgwxpdUsBMdr5s27D4ntKa0dmGXLsmMYzq9ctuJAu3z2L-0ZhGxndUs7E5PRu7sKtfGNNwoiJetBZnuKh0vHpwX18Xqh3CmaK8SZMWB9a5UvJhnbUPQyOwg_S2o5t_VWbXl98Rufl_rr48/s320/IMG_2885.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The dirt poor towns we passed through and occasional military vehicle (or Toyota pickup truck with soldiers in the back) were clear reminders we weren't in the U.S. anymore. Another four hours of driving later taking in the sights, we reached a small village called San Ignacio where we began ascending one of the steepest roads we have ever driven! Our manual drive rental car was barely crawling in first gear up and around the hairpin switchback turns that felt steeper than a black diamond ski run. With relief we finally reached our little mountain cabin for some needed rest before our uneventful hike early the next morning. </span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_12pJTVSQr6B-kxjgh3FJJ4lRSWjUAo8CLPIdSaBr8s0O_xyN8sJ4OgcDifzukiU4nLMTeG8eptBXUt-7yB4nEXq7oI7BvUM-wNQ_npMoHfb6ush2EBT1hPl-hNF8vT3fqtL9VyCfjLky3NdmskDPT_reh3Q72JS4Sud5k01oB6AsAECRFyCl6Gu37wo/s2048/IMG_2889.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_12pJTVSQr6B-kxjgh3FJJ4lRSWjUAo8CLPIdSaBr8s0O_xyN8sJ4OgcDifzukiU4nLMTeG8eptBXUt-7yB4nEXq7oI7BvUM-wNQ_npMoHfb6ush2EBT1hPl-hNF8vT3fqtL9VyCfjLky3NdmskDPT_reh3Q72JS4Sud5k01oB6AsAECRFyCl6Gu37wo/s320/IMG_2889.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6MjZMfRSyqCCZzx5WTdeCugwT60BomJVYhtnGVVcrppGzhwmqXoanA3dosQScd0W1l0L-ttxj-wQZmVYVHHgtQ0Hy_zaNp8gRcUJlsA9kLwgKFC5-WBcVH69GnkIrPfIRuRYwXWnNvEB6WbMq4ADQNUtbhsCe_Mr-leNskk0SjaH6Zq3dHpDlHPLEzM/s2048/IMG_2894.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6MjZMfRSyqCCZzx5WTdeCugwT60BomJVYhtnGVVcrppGzhwmqXoanA3dosQScd0W1l0L-ttxj-wQZmVYVHHgtQ0Hy_zaNp8gRcUJlsA9kLwgKFC5-WBcVH69GnkIrPfIRuRYwXWnNvEB6WbMq4ADQNUtbhsCe_Mr-leNskk0SjaH6Zq3dHpDlHPLEzM/s320/IMG_2894.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The hike was less than 1,700 feet in elevation gain and us took less than three hours round trip. Since it is still early season, we had the place entirely to ourselves and didn't need a guide or much navigation help as a rough four-wheel drive road leads almost all the way to the top. The summit marker at 8,957 feet is stamped with 'El Salvador' on one side and 'Honduras' on the other, so we decided to take a short jaunt into Honduras (since we could) before heading back down to Rio Chiquito! ...which remember is always fun to say! After bidding adios to the high point of El Salvador and the Cabañas Vasquez, we headed back to the border of Guatemala and on to the next adventure...</span><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TfM3MOs3gr8WbJTbWO-Nhjy8PjV4Yc7x9Zw7SKYbY5UObglhfhiEXxX4UNJVGkZzmBDotcDWWKhBnnlzCojCr2KpMIpZLxzsxduPKYmLES6Cg75SXO4lpuow-treOXUtF239lEXnfYKIiCBenmydHUsyo-NHfuxQJB4qu5KxxeR104ozX5fldN6EMy8/s2640/IMG_2942.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2640" data-original-width="2589" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TfM3MOs3gr8WbJTbWO-Nhjy8PjV4Yc7x9Zw7SKYbY5UObglhfhiEXxX4UNJVGkZzmBDotcDWWKhBnnlzCojCr2KpMIpZLxzsxduPKYmLES6Cg75SXO4lpuow-treOXUtF239lEXnfYKIiCBenmydHUsyo-NHfuxQJB4qu5KxxeR104ozX5fldN6EMy8/s320/IMG_2942.JPEG" width="314" /></a></div><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGLONDjv8Qdjje7z5feVAdk9rRL87wMuLOWizjlnzd94IOEVt-Ij5_8rnXKy5Ir9Uyb19r6qBGVpYsSGxjRp7NOV6lEklGiNyc535jBHkY2R0b3iE3f9bsRzEATHDw-00U8s1UV_ZMhzRyC89wxinnrBSGhY4cKr5S-TSqNeoqELN5ZA0VcDJZRsolpE/s2048/IMG_2909.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGLONDjv8Qdjje7z5feVAdk9rRL87wMuLOWizjlnzd94IOEVt-Ij5_8rnXKy5Ir9Uyb19r6qBGVpYsSGxjRp7NOV6lEklGiNyc535jBHkY2R0b3iE3f9bsRzEATHDw-00U8s1UV_ZMhzRyC89wxinnrBSGhY4cKr5S-TSqNeoqELN5ZA0VcDJZRsolpE/s320/IMG_2909.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /> </span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p>pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-52225100745341986202023-05-02T01:46:00.000-07:002023-05-02T01:46:40.628-07:00#29 Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland High Point<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Our current adventure was born from a comment at a dinner party two months ago when an old ski instructor friend Chris Fellows mentioned; "We're going to Iceland this Spring to ski remote fjords near the Arctic Circle from a small fishing boat." <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>"What?" I said, "How cool, do you have any space left on the boat?" </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">So here we find ourselves in Iceland with tales of our climb of the country's highest peak, Hvannadalshnúkur. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is located on the southeastern part of the island, a difficult name to pronounce but thanks to the tips and experience of our seasoned guide, Einar Sigurosson, not unusually difficult to climb. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And since we climbed this volcanic peak on skis (with climbing skins affixed to the bases for the ascent) it made the decent fun and fast! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It was a long day (10 1/2 hours total up and down covering over 13 miles) but a special treat to spend it with Einar whose great grandfather in 1891 was the very first person to summit the 6,920 foot peak. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Einar also holds the record for the most successful summits of the mountain, now at 324! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>When I baited the question of which of all of these times over the years was his favorite, of course he obligingly said this summit with our group! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We invited our very good friend Helga Hengge from Munich to join us on this adventure, and she is a super strong climber, not to mention witty and fun so Einar's response may not have been too far from the truth. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We are now in the far northwestern corner of Iceland in a small village called Isafjordur where we are about to board a renovated fishing boat called the Örkin for our six day ski touring adventure in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbj89G_RSvYklsuxqvRDXncjg6vVwHj884GE8XF7pRnTkxezp5vz4iqGAXt5zwjlbUKqtt1Dyu0Ki0oE5BRcFQZ2aMlAn-0OkYHRQUHWEDWlAY-qzwvv-48XxCbprycv2tNldQFVUX2plAgMZJwOpUM7-qJD_uewuyprufiHApsfEJEDao37FGwLal/s6177/IMG_1641.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4633" data-original-width="6177" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbj89G_RSvYklsuxqvRDXncjg6vVwHj884GE8XF7pRnTkxezp5vz4iqGAXt5zwjlbUKqtt1Dyu0Ki0oE5BRcFQZ2aMlAn-0OkYHRQUHWEDWlAY-qzwvv-48XxCbprycv2tNldQFVUX2plAgMZJwOpUM7-qJD_uewuyprufiHApsfEJEDao37FGwLal/s320/IMG_1641.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px;"><br /><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p>pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-43300141907584388772022-10-25T12:07:00.001-07:002022-10-26T06:54:41.837-07:00#28 Rysy, Poland High Point<p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Back from our Eastern Europe adventure and reporting on the third high point in three countries reached: Rysy - at 2,499 m / 8,199 feet, the highest peak in Poland. After a long but rewarding day on Gerlach we refueled with some traditional Slovakian food (and Czech beer) and headed west. As the crow flies over the High Tatras the summit of Rysy is less than three miles from the summit of Gerlach, however the best access point to the route on the Slovak side is near the ski resort town of Štrbské Pleso. From there we parked our car and hiked a little more than an hour to reach the Horsky Hotel at Popradské Pleso, set in a picture perfect scene overlooking a stunning alpine lake. </span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHIpLPkerq2BZmAinPirhUDeB9VNVmwhccf2htGgmQ6M-z1lQkYu0MehNyCaXeWrCGIw-jyxqhvQe0ShkUGmzFINjdxdDj5uKllgMaZBmAfBr5xZjKko7gwVFdF8c7XQnZ4I09Sqbl1nmmNkQyfWKD3SPahCuISibewTQnHkZkfLiocBtEIFrnXdt/s4032/IMG_0455.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHIpLPkerq2BZmAinPirhUDeB9VNVmwhccf2htGgmQ6M-z1lQkYu0MehNyCaXeWrCGIw-jyxqhvQe0ShkUGmzFINjdxdDj5uKllgMaZBmAfBr5xZjKko7gwVFdF8c7XQnZ4I09Sqbl1nmmNkQyfWKD3SPahCuISibewTQnHkZkfLiocBtEIFrnXdt/s320/IMG_0455.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views along the hike to <span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Popradské Pleso</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibogrZpEN-UplD0K1EhmkxV4Vc81SU2sanzSNyQXDup2lZMkwgmSXR2rOKfKdwQqq6IoVIpKMARTAvQ4EGI61sIpk6-XeO2m20opvzLoLMLyAPEaUETIZMn5AZ5h_ZlhobdiAdT_390F7Mn9vSy-gTNKRwQ4lKn2NV3gsUnSzUO2HF8_Ts559_gZfL/s4032/IMG_0461.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibogrZpEN-UplD0K1EhmkxV4Vc81SU2sanzSNyQXDup2lZMkwgmSXR2rOKfKdwQqq6IoVIpKMARTAvQ4EGI61sIpk6-XeO2m20opvzLoLMLyAPEaUETIZMn5AZ5h_ZlhobdiAdT_390F7Mn9vSy-gTNKRwQ4lKn2NV3gsUnSzUO2HF8_Ts559_gZfL/s320/IMG_0461.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Accommodations for two nights at Horsky Hotel at 4,900 feet</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-ZGYwtCDw-CJ7J91yDSbCSICoOgcEB_HT1kOesFEOcvWmmtp1D8NFlcNqMD0um6TTUL52xfYUhn27ss0EL-Jj23XoBEMXQXmEdSB5QqqCInrJPeGO4CQzKiK31CAbbjrbJsOpFzZ1anPJxOW3DRA7gFblzKa08rCugt4i7vO_ZBVtFEOxPKUiyZf/s4032/IMG_0459.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-ZGYwtCDw-CJ7J91yDSbCSICoOgcEB_HT1kOesFEOcvWmmtp1D8NFlcNqMD0um6TTUL52xfYUhn27ss0EL-Jj23XoBEMXQXmEdSB5QqqCInrJPeGO4CQzKiK31CAbbjrbJsOpFzZ1anPJxOW3DRA7gFblzKa08rCugt4i7vO_ZBVtFEOxPKUiyZf/s320/IMG_0459.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great views of the lake and Fall colors from our room<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Fortunately the weather improved for us and the forecast rain/snow and 30 mph winds did not materialize. So we left our simple but comfortable room shortly after 7:00 the next morning and made our way up the scenic trail along the valley floor. Denise endured the rocky terrain and persevered despite having tremendous ankle pain from a crampon spike scrape inflicted while climbing Gerlach two days prior. We weren't sure if she could manage the extreme discomfort throughout another long day of climbing, but her strong Polish genes and mindset from her dad's side prevailed on this Poland high point. We carefully navigated the steeper snow covered slopes high up, and appreciated the panoramas that were revealed at the ridge delineating the Slovakia / Poland border. It was less than an hour later that we found ourselves at the summit of Poland's highest peak and now our 28th country high point raising the Challenged Athletes Foundation banner. </span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kVVvmptyNTuHLZglsuFBuGND5YurXyxlIv0eSPRp0txQsJoKw98l_vXxigPpGrFplwJKQQGIZH48y3Yw2EOy1AsGAwgy67lL_K0NGnJ_3HBDyOd5bW0jkqGVAfRcgvy3TAZfj1W4LPpyhHp-EHF0LtFm3G_kxcQzuhW6tPxhYbG3lSpQR7Ih46Z4/s4032/IMG_0474.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kVVvmptyNTuHLZglsuFBuGND5YurXyxlIv0eSPRp0txQsJoKw98l_vXxigPpGrFplwJKQQGIZH48y3Yw2EOy1AsGAwgy67lL_K0NGnJ_3HBDyOd5bW0jkqGVAfRcgvy3TAZfj1W4LPpyhHp-EHF0LtFm3G_kxcQzuhW6tPxhYbG3lSpQR7Ih46Z4/s320/IMG_0474.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8HsmVa8f7cDXkxJPCxNhbnJnniZFqhrF_mtEWViS_xfmgiPvccgTLefegcQZafyFjCTiNtvMjUqyZPZ1qbQdVbVFKgUE2F3kWbPjwUmS7-GXKRmdA3q3lMSKDfjSfOTy7Bq6jhAhW1mhUXVeYQgHCBDDrU35otRCKbHfuYS6Gzj-xvt90cVrQXv2/s4032/IMG_0487.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8HsmVa8f7cDXkxJPCxNhbnJnniZFqhrF_mtEWViS_xfmgiPvccgTLefegcQZafyFjCTiNtvMjUqyZPZ1qbQdVbVFKgUE2F3kWbPjwUmS7-GXKRmdA3q3lMSKDfjSfOTy7Bq6jhAhW1mhUXVeYQgHCBDDrU35otRCKbHfuYS6Gzj-xvt90cVrQXv2/s320/IMG_0487.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Combination Slovak humor and safety warning<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqo9H2HlhyP2LIhrfB6HikHKOdBAoK-oRxaPYNJ1krJp0ldnFrRgFtJJfAhR1JwFb_4-AWUObMz5kP16J6pSH0IdeFm6I2VHgNMkEybNFvlhd1r0sANTLElzgQTJNnKs67_NPtXtoXMk3j0tVy4peD8LxVVRYJ1MbNUh-kXL1aDaJIwDlvGrVqVcrk/s4032/IMG_0524.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqo9H2HlhyP2LIhrfB6HikHKOdBAoK-oRxaPYNJ1krJp0ldnFrRgFtJJfAhR1JwFb_4-AWUObMz5kP16J6pSH0IdeFm6I2VHgNMkEybNFvlhd1r0sANTLElzgQTJNnKs67_NPtXtoXMk3j0tVy4peD8LxVVRYJ1MbNUh-kXL1aDaJIwDlvGrVqVcrk/s320/IMG_0524.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz9A2rEb9laswkdjKLwy_voqF075OX4jA4OVKwegdtdpsTINz1nSLMxXtuSocUc7zxuGSPgII6JO9VEHG0Gew' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyUCS7wmmmlR5Q5Ypxo_aKPcOWYSQ4o-ov2lM4LwJZ3hv5i6PO4HyklPHP6mTxGPlzlNnuSiPhcj5hDgMlc2Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRk43ACFrCPpGanXxNoqFMPDhdIf6HL3wt4epc7HCrjiWfoibOYdpMlX7YIb9dpnvpX0PNcLPLCBJsfCWdiPhBVs0-1BdQ-h6zMHONGHLxSfL1x1hXBoc8ZINJ-r04GRx2mkcolUHKu9mE_vg7IQw-qztGBcDniM6z7hTz5c5655-PbDIgKcXGJo-x/s3361/IMG_0516.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2521" data-original-width="3361" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRk43ACFrCPpGanXxNoqFMPDhdIf6HL3wt4epc7HCrjiWfoibOYdpMlX7YIb9dpnvpX0PNcLPLCBJsfCWdiPhBVs0-1BdQ-h6zMHONGHLxSfL1x1hXBoc8ZINJ-r04GRx2mkcolUHKu9mE_vg7IQw-qztGBcDniM6z7hTz5c5655-PbDIgKcXGJo-x/s320/IMG_0516.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit of Rysy, Poland high point on Oct. 16, 2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>...until the next adventure, all the best!</p><p>-Paul & Denise<br /></p><br />pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-56849313045493388902022-10-20T21:16:00.001-07:002022-10-20T21:16:51.986-07:00#27 Gerlach, Slovakia High Point<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtevYniW7pPxAFkccmj6KG3XGOtX3kPalP4IHEU2IdK3tc9WFg1QDBcN9bn4IWYCZNjd3mBfXy9bsA7c5KQrc4BJDeSll-tuqoDK-L5-isRC5g8vp1O45iiCEeDjlutog0dyM_3ZNW1GkapHZ4hQwwG1F6JBRkQ4NBYUF7cEDksmUKxkURJJwYOLnz/s4032/IMG_0403.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtevYniW7pPxAFkccmj6KG3XGOtX3kPalP4IHEU2IdK3tc9WFg1QDBcN9bn4IWYCZNjd3mBfXy9bsA7c5KQrc4BJDeSll-tuqoDK-L5-isRC5g8vp1O45iiCEeDjlutog0dyM_3ZNW1GkapHZ4hQwwG1F6JBRkQ4NBYUF7cEDksmUKxkURJJwYOLnz/s320/IMG_0403.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit of Gerlach, 2,655m / 8,709 feet Oct. 14, 2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The High Tatras aren't as high as many mountain ranges around the world but they are certainly impressive and attract a fair number of technical climbers from around Europe. Gerlachovsky Štít is the highest in the range and rising up more than 6,000 feet above the valley floor, Gerlach is an imposing sight.
</span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It is a requirement of the National Park to climb Gerlach with a certified guide and we were happy to do so after learning that the route high up is not marked and has some tricky exposed sections. In addition, an early season snowstorm dropped over 6 feet of snow on the mountain a week before our planned ascent, which we didn't believe until after looking at the Instagram page of our guide </span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1},"fontHints":2}" style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">kuro.guide</span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.
</span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">With the benefit of Kuro's firsthand knowledge of the conditions we came fully equipped with crampons, ice axes, climbing harnesses and helmets - and we put all of it to good use. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nx3nY4hJfj8ZH2v2rTTvPek1RXTlaUBMrA1cunrJsJuplCa9MQpM7cFJmg0E7FBPNGxcJDX1dHdnuN75-FYB2xo_lh6hKnkEsYzUySOHAFRJTWf4VhBa8flgDgmdgzddAXTpK-QGdD4_PtHsHXzDwMt-vbrhGmHWhs0-jMMSvBeW0Qs30POvCw4p/s4032/Sliezsky%20Dom.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nx3nY4hJfj8ZH2v2rTTvPek1RXTlaUBMrA1cunrJsJuplCa9MQpM7cFJmg0E7FBPNGxcJDX1dHdnuN75-FYB2xo_lh6hKnkEsYzUySOHAFRJTWf4VhBa8flgDgmdgzddAXTpK-QGdD4_PtHsHXzDwMt-vbrhGmHWhs0-jMMSvBeW0Qs30POvCw4p/s320/Sliezsky%20Dom.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sliezsky Dom hotel, our home for 2 nights at 1,670m / 5,479 feet <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZ5_9H1BCpWbZLPjrMahxjeKfxzrDNg3qWmVMrzew1OJ2GuiAbyXb75Bmvmng-vnthWkivCnl-G8eGdLbqMrHLWdp0Dpt1-j-OA-RxDIBnESPR5vmKsX7U51Ptw1vCGS36TIgvXDxH25d24gcEcFpM1gphFjTeKh-9mThIEnVpt7ElI_5oqM9ZdTf/s4032/IMG_0376.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZ5_9H1BCpWbZLPjrMahxjeKfxzrDNg3qWmVMrzew1OJ2GuiAbyXb75Bmvmng-vnthWkivCnl-G8eGdLbqMrHLWdp0Dpt1-j-OA-RxDIBnESPR5vmKsX7U51Ptw1vCGS36TIgvXDxH25d24gcEcFpM1gphFjTeKh-9mThIEnVpt7ElI_5oqM9ZdTf/s320/IMG_0376.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice views on the approach hike with guide Kuro leading the way<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The three of us started out from the Sliezsky Dom hotel around 7:45, and after 3,200 vertical feet of climbing we reached the top just before noon. We had the summit entirely to ourselves to enjoy the beautiful views, a snack, short rest and even reading a good book! The descent took us a little over 4 hours, getting us safely back to the trailhead and the very comfortable Sliezsky Dom less than 9 hours after we began. For the most part the weather cooperated nicely for us and the recent snow had consolidated making for stable conditions. I'll let the pictures and videos tell the rest of the story from an exciting climb of our 27th country high point!
</span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Before I do I'll add an interesting fact about Gerlach. The mountain has the unusual distinction of being the highest peak in more countries than any other mountain. Due to the changing borders over time, since World War I it has been the highest point in Austria-Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, the Czech and Slovak Socialist Republic, and then the Czech and Slovak Federated Republic, and since 1993 the highest point in Slovakia. </span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0F_XoeZLGBY6I59GyIT2kD9EblUQ3JVvgC1gWUX0P4ABmBQ1C0viZu1F3uKLImYCP_6xnD8ayckjSCamgxNEhShKdyWynHCW-HhNKszWgK1d2JK7x4mVSCpBNohI08byDhDDJ68gxCFrnowsKb6UQmQxD25jsOfLyPB96t2w4BqFCb2tLm9BeC9G/s4032/IMG_0386.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0F_XoeZLGBY6I59GyIT2kD9EblUQ3JVvgC1gWUX0P4ABmBQ1C0viZu1F3uKLImYCP_6xnD8ayckjSCamgxNEhShKdyWynHCW-HhNKszWgK1d2JK7x4mVSCpBNohI08byDhDDJ68gxCFrnowsKb6UQmQxD25jsOfLyPB96t2w4BqFCb2tLm9BeC9G/s320/IMG_0386.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzKuAsupgK2q5x5ivwfDE9kM2ukI--j8H5UQmwYLNM74qyxiQF1co0-HiW3qarUZLN5Nk687o4w_SWbgMdOlw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzqc16KNwKlSF0O3Qc522b0mWZvxQ2NhsELrNEZymUv-BXC0k_BZVfYWbqXW2OiHK5YVltqFl9PogOb7IDSyA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWOZ93xSCkvaVxujX7msMnZ2lPEApKw917a8Ry4fX5jZaPi6ZLQpDfATaKRWZk3gI74hRSJ3veuyUHxjwn62_Rp2Yd1d-VCz5P0BkP-nh8zeHnbf0gjTjEWnIBYNWAdVu7zNw0aPoRGrqj8WYeowJny6RUOf1uIYDmaLoNnGByhAnkkHDPM-iqPPh/s2142/IMG_0416.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1606" data-original-width="2142" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWOZ93xSCkvaVxujX7msMnZ2lPEApKw917a8Ry4fX5jZaPi6ZLQpDfATaKRWZk3gI74hRSJ3veuyUHxjwn62_Rp2Yd1d-VCz5P0BkP-nh8zeHnbf0gjTjEWnIBYNWAdVu7zNw0aPoRGrqj8WYeowJny6RUOf1uIYDmaLoNnGByhAnkkHDPM-iqPPh/s320/IMG_0416.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a short break to read Steps to the Summit 😉<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJruY3tE4Knk91k6xbWrLuz_l4O8CNWAenQmo0w0iLQ-uN622OGs7i3VQlHSJ1A3r9ONuvaxrrftWJMNjTypHax6CDv1S2oQE03CKftFiF0QMPFeWhHWcPCawWIGuI4lI7AM58gmiPL9VUazzFTzyvG95zT6ZarGLVPWouathXtT94mqUmeLcqQSCH/s4032/IMG_0404.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJruY3tE4Knk91k6xbWrLuz_l4O8CNWAenQmo0w0iLQ-uN622OGs7i3VQlHSJ1A3r9ONuvaxrrftWJMNjTypHax6CDv1S2oQE03CKftFiF0QMPFeWhHWcPCawWIGuI4lI7AM58gmiPL9VUazzFTzyvG95zT6ZarGLVPWouathXtT94mqUmeLcqQSCH/s320/IMG_0404.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPMtZDs2buiTivta_AXvzlBm1WkfSQ18fVuLMt4tqnpZBCLwsIh3uyFIi1hOGfTcFv9HFBu0ytpE9LsPOAPmRrNnE6slLuiLrzLRP-h4jqfzcdJumbDc7Gtu4sicN1HtlYQ0gxp_cGiUSHyvCSDCRC_lH-IzsW3FwnfiYRqQNquj7bCsdF-KJbYmP/s3088/IMG_0366.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPMtZDs2buiTivta_AXvzlBm1WkfSQ18fVuLMt4tqnpZBCLwsIh3uyFIi1hOGfTcFv9HFBu0ytpE9LsPOAPmRrNnE6slLuiLrzLRP-h4jqfzcdJumbDc7Gtu4sicN1HtlYQ0gxp_cGiUSHyvCSDCRC_lH-IzsW3FwnfiYRqQNquj7bCsdF-KJbYmP/s320/IMG_0366.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-71627887550280904022022-10-19T07:15:00.001-07:002022-10-19T07:15:55.851-07:00"Hungary" for High Points<p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our quest continues to explore new countries and climb their highest peaks. This trip includes three countries and if successful three more high points adding to our 25th country high point of Portugal's Mt. Pico reached two months ago. We are also keeping a tally of countries we have visited in our lifetimes and although Denise has a few more than me, Hungary marks my 50th country. </span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORgkQjGNs4QznQHCoPUbzO3kiyJ2ASmAzem2BTGHpkxJSzJU3Q8ztRlnlxVZYo4YFdUHok-iiTFsqCf7euto9pguJKgk9qdrjuih17WWLXgpUR8Qu_GCyZ8j89r1nYTCRXSzu8g5e-yXPz8QghGnVsnUpTEnXMuowZchWtuL2UsXeXQDMk7FPu1XO/s4032/IMG_6382.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORgkQjGNs4QznQHCoPUbzO3kiyJ2ASmAzem2BTGHpkxJSzJU3Q8ztRlnlxVZYo4YFdUHok-iiTFsqCf7euto9pguJKgk9qdrjuih17WWLXgpUR8Qu_GCyZ8j89r1nYTCRXSzu8g5e-yXPz8QghGnVsnUpTEnXMuowZchWtuL2UsXeXQDMk7FPu1XO/s320/IMG_6382.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Budapest Parliament Building taken on Danube River cocktail cruise</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After two days of soaking in the beautiful and historical sights of Buda (western part of the city) and Pest (eastern side of the Danube) we soaked in the soothing mineral waters of the Széchenyi thermal bath which is the largest medicinal bath in Europe and a famous Budapest landmark. </span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTI0LZcVKsjLvsTej_qQT9_owz4CeNCd1373MRE1CVEGBaxdTxUdqaUE6J00JLGM0VNvjxx-351wEfcx0hcMgXBrcuNTURLcNo5Phn8DU22mzoipZGFue_EHnxUhlY6uJzIXoexcrq-8T6oPZu9_1V5ukaO_7uf9TJXaATrQV8UdKXq2MB9IJWAY2/s3088/IMG_0292.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTI0LZcVKsjLvsTej_qQT9_owz4CeNCd1373MRE1CVEGBaxdTxUdqaUE6J00JLGM0VNvjxx-351wEfcx0hcMgXBrcuNTURLcNo5Phn8DU22mzoipZGFue_EHnxUhlY6uJzIXoexcrq-8T6oPZu9_1V5ukaO_7uf9TJXaATrQV8UdKXq2MB9IJWAY2/s320/IMG_0292.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Széchenyi thermal bath in Budapest: the largest medicinal bath in Europe </span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>The next morning we headed northeast towards the Mátra Mountains and Hungary's highest point Kékestetö aka Kekes. At only 3,327 feet above sea level with a paved road leading almost all the way to the top, we knew this high point would hardly seem like much of an accomplishment. So we decided to park the car at the bottom of the road and hiked up to the top to make ourselves feel a little better about earning this one. It also helped us stretch our legs and along with an overnight in the quaint town of Eger, it broke up the drive north across the border into Slovakia and on to the "real" mountains the High Tatras. </span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrJZvaPpgwLJK4bAOTOR2WQRWkqh5WN3Wzsi7QBFKFLlQPzHjBZFsh9nLcPUwRqM0ED27cllIRe0gOs0PjyudyntK16aYVFiBGfI-2MCYxH-h5eJY1Zaq-qCAqMs27M3VNrA_ZRA29FlhEZECHDFfz0iAGdR0aoFdYyuYRuvkRpmtEGtDX3UW5WO1/s4032/IMG_0305.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrJZvaPpgwLJK4bAOTOR2WQRWkqh5WN3Wzsi7QBFKFLlQPzHjBZFsh9nLcPUwRqM0ED27cllIRe0gOs0PjyudyntK16aYVFiBGfI-2MCYxH-h5eJY1Zaq-qCAqMs27M3VNrA_ZRA29FlhEZECHDFfz0iAGdR0aoFdYyuYRuvkRpmtEGtDX3UW5WO1/s320/IMG_0305.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Hiking up the ski slopes of Kekes, one of the few ski areas in Hungary</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5u1vANhbsj1eSCQsUQABFK-PG0FyOtQqyIs8DcSEON_QJ6srbbwLjy3d9JlcyCu9t84YLH8GCMeEhnynsm-Zc1ILglcHLWXsjxbuI4mVZYTwk1CpWQS2I2RFm5nQxoSP8yel8bi75awtneQH85oSD8End1CQHwUS8srZs1ECy8uw-nBTlWxdbK-3/s3518/IMG_0314.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3518" data-original-width="2638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5u1vANhbsj1eSCQsUQABFK-PG0FyOtQqyIs8DcSEON_QJ6srbbwLjy3d9JlcyCu9t84YLH8GCMeEhnynsm-Zc1ILglcHLWXsjxbuI4mVZYTwk1CpWQS2I2RFm5nQxoSP8yel8bi75awtneQH85oSD8End1CQHwUS8srZs1ECy8uw-nBTlWxdbK-3/s320/IMG_0314.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kekes, highest point in Hungary at 3,327 feet <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-3828859581283337122022-08-30T20:23:00.000-07:002022-08-30T20:23:57.443-07:00Underwater Seamount "Summit"<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
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</p><p class="MsoPlainText"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgpq0S2pQNenTqYSBWuQlQP9Fl_CBugaOdAmkmFFCKbGkvX-GlTK6UPjwXt3MXA_onr3LX6VodV57iUVFcc1SBwzhKZtoal2u818JGCZieRPqmNDcClzFMGIB07W8AoyYFmWUyvholPEqjPA8hf3izJX6ivbDCtOCgP0uJttK957_oklcyIncIjjD/s4000/GOPR0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgpq0S2pQNenTqYSBWuQlQP9Fl_CBugaOdAmkmFFCKbGkvX-GlTK6UPjwXt3MXA_onr3LX6VodV57iUVFcc1SBwzhKZtoal2u818JGCZieRPqmNDcClzFMGIB07W8AoyYFmWUyvholPEqjPA8hf3izJX6ivbDCtOCgP0uJttK957_oklcyIncIjjD/s320/GOPR0131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Princess Alice Bank is a very special place on our
planet, difficult to reach but amazing rewards for those lucky enough to get
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the middle of the Atlantic, 45
nautical miles offshore from the nearest island, this underwater seamount rises
up from over 6,000 feet deep to its highest point only 115 feet from the ocean
surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where we dropped
anchor, right on its "summit", then had a briefing by our dive master
and donned our SCUBA gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">During a short period of time every summer, large groups
of Mobula rays and Mantas converge upon this area to feed as it attracts lots
of other big fish including large tunas, jacks and barracudas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks again to Jonathan and Melissa for
getting married in Portugal and for giving us an excuse to go to the Azores to
climb Mt. Pico, and to be on Pico Island at the perfect time of year to witness
this sensation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcsInKBmfDWthczTiK7WLs4fI1sBNH8UUNLgKyDFdLao_Vku1owtih5PdrXdpn-PFrxpT2a7xXyx4w9sGqwYBguPDNhwTRVx4QpZWc0lvJqyXthGT58LEtQq-0M1IwEsfhTal2h-WuR8sDBZPL5SHzOe2PtBSa3bw7qg0eHkntzZVp9roefiSgWzQ/s1259/IMG_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="581" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcsInKBmfDWthczTiK7WLs4fI1sBNH8UUNLgKyDFdLao_Vku1owtih5PdrXdpn-PFrxpT2a7xXyx4w9sGqwYBguPDNhwTRVx4QpZWc0lvJqyXthGT58LEtQq-0M1IwEsfhTal2h-WuR8sDBZPL5SHzOe2PtBSa3bw7qg0eHkntzZVp9roefiSgWzQ/s320/IMG_0072.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>Denise and I clipped onto a weighted descent line for
safety as the strong open ocean currents can easily sweep you out into the
oblivion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn't long until our first
visitors came gracefully "flying" by to check us out and play in our
bubbles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We counted 16 Mobulas (also
known as Devil Fish) on our very first dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The wingspan on these beautiful creatures was at least 12 feet across on
some of the larger ones and they seemed even bigger when swimming in the water
next to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was pleased to capture
some great pics and video of this remarkable experience on my GoPro Hero 8, and
hope you enjoy them as well!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxsgcytfnr-HjER2RsA9edscq33sEuLqIHt7c92YaQHTkEi2iR4S3DMqiwamybIm_C2inRplzYSAlouhA5p_w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx5gPlQDMWJ8LpwJwHuFbSbok32GCdb-4fBCccgzA3N1Z4sylDUxSRqbxx3c8Nl_y_BeiaPFfY4sHF6qffQ7g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
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table.MsoNormalTable
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mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
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font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
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<p class="MsoPlainText">4:07 AM on Aug. 15 boarding the Blue Bay for a slow but
steady 5+ hour journey to the Bank</p>
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Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
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<p class="MsoPlainText">Dinner and view from our Airbnb above the town of São
Roque, Pico Island </p>
</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><p><br />
</p>pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-40378361900358398682022-08-24T10:10:00.004-07:002022-08-30T20:57:37.864-07:00Portugal's Mount Pico<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNH648va5bLpdxRF4bHKwEfCVTeU-61R9FX890iM915m-xdlBr1H7c8jPuWpgOkKZd7X2S7HcJuI-NBE_Ax7OBomkhVwn6QPPvb87SRn5CKAAfL1K8LgOdFkoux_OTU4mLhYZYMb2tytIrN32UyFmkZ44rm7V-ni8jdOHiPzD3XceHydA6rDqKD2OO/s4032/IMG_9796.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNH648va5bLpdxRF4bHKwEfCVTeU-61R9FX890iM915m-xdlBr1H7c8jPuWpgOkKZd7X2S7HcJuI-NBE_Ax7OBomkhVwn6QPPvb87SRn5CKAAfL1K8LgOdFkoux_OTU4mLhYZYMb2tytIrN32UyFmkZ44rm7V-ni8jdOHiPzD3XceHydA6rDqKD2OO/s320/IMG_9796.heic" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPENlBpoIAyltHLRcsZhhpQzvAbtRFOLzEHhJaOG_NG6s49K7vHpWnJ4HbxYF2bGKJpWNedsrmBM9YlbnewhK9ZFgCAnEVJul7sEhZslOOyp_p9G1HLLlU6JI5z7vA0-UE6ZbUhzLkuNXVMSfmwRAWLZZ2OZMz3NWPOQhGDAxv0z1cqQVQmCOzpjS/s4032/IMG_9814.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPENlBpoIAyltHLRcsZhhpQzvAbtRFOLzEHhJaOG_NG6s49K7vHpWnJ4HbxYF2bGKJpWNedsrmBM9YlbnewhK9ZFgCAnEVJul7sEhZslOOyp_p9G1HLLlU6JI5z7vA0-UE6ZbUhzLkuNXVMSfmwRAWLZZ2OZMz3NWPOQhGDAxv0z1cqQVQmCOzpjS/s320/IMG_9814.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px;">More than 900 miles off the coast of Portugal's mainland, are the Azores islands and the volcanic Montanha do Pico, the country's highest point.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px;">This is our 25th summit of country high points around the world and we are dedicating it to my cousin Jonathan Fejtek and his bride Melissa.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px;">We were lucky enough to attend Jon and Mel's wedding on Aug. 6th in a small town called Ourém, north of Lisbon in the same church where Mel's parents got married and in the village where her family all grew up.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px;">It was a memorable experience rich in cultural charm and overflowing with food, drink and love.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1">...and the occasion gave us a good excuse to thoroughly explore the beauty of Portugal over the last three weeks from Porto in the north, Lisbon, Sintra and down to the Algarve region in the south with its spectacular sea caves and postcard perfect cliff-enclosed beaches. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However the group of nine islands which make up the Azores, was a very different slice of Portugal which we likely would not have made the effort to experience if it weren't for Mt. Pico being located there. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6ne-ifC4a6HTWJydpn-_42WpksNmFwd5-JQnMRRIzAPp2XviFF2GvkPZCtnaWf64ibSAYxPR6WOJ2cczz4L9riYpP9ZILehhoveQH6uqpqVqN7v92Zq0IF1Uq7HROMHL5VHSq0gbFXRUx5De--F3vAftOleC3MIFlkoF9HsraWi-Df6LvsHFSj3U/s4032/IMG_9828.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6ne-ifC4a6HTWJydpn-_42WpksNmFwd5-JQnMRRIzAPp2XviFF2GvkPZCtnaWf64ibSAYxPR6WOJ2cczz4L9riYpP9ZILehhoveQH6uqpqVqN7v92Zq0IF1Uq7HROMHL5VHSq0gbFXRUx5De--F3vAftOleC3MIFlkoF9HsraWi-Df6LvsHFSj3U/s320/IMG_9828.HEIC" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy6m_l72smZSDVYPEQ25m20gNB4eXuAP0j0JYt1nzJSxxf9bB_wEycX7FjUNX3DIduE5KtxgLnEM-5f_UdE0g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span class="s1"><br /> </span><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1">This technically "active" stratovolcano is an impressive sight to view from offshore as its steep cone-shaped slopes reaching up to its summit at 7,713 feet, tower over the rest of the island. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Clouds tend to obscure the view frequently and despite the mild subtropical weather, snow periodically blankets the mountain in the winter. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Climbing it was a relatively easy 7.5 hour round trip hike and the most challenging part for us was simply getting a permit. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In recent years access to the mountain has been restricted by the local governing Portuguese authority which has limited the number of permits per day to 160 people. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic;">(They are also charging a fee, currently 25 Euros)</span><span class="s1">. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>By the time we finalized our travel itinerary, there were no more permits available for any of the five days we planned to spend on Pico Island. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Fortunately we were able to find and secure the last two spots on an organized group permit with a company called Hominis Natura and led by owner/guide Steffi Denecker. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We truly enjoyed our time with Steffi and the other members in the group. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The only other Americans were a young couple from Washington D.C. Mike and Megan who recently got married and planned their climb of Mt. Pico as part of their honeymoon in the Azores. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>...our kind of couple! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We wished them all the best in their new journey through life together as husband and wife and once again to Jon and Melissa - congratulations on your marriage and thank you for inviting us to be a part of your important milestone and celebration in Portugal that we will remember forever! </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfi--noJ0ci89WoCqK4InZ5-gZonksT5iXMwm_g8rJNUJukQwml2uFiFkJXnGte_csHughZp8g8Brl8cP2dD5E_K-jDMyp87ejfngWZMoMwVao8qwgTQQF5DeUb1krMTA6kMrm8yx6u5edyx9I_ZW4lXfajxDZYTLJh3hv2Mrr8_1S0UE-5jGJmn_b/s3041/IMG_9847.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2281" data-original-width="3041" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfi--noJ0ci89WoCqK4InZ5-gZonksT5iXMwm_g8rJNUJukQwml2uFiFkJXnGte_csHughZp8g8Brl8cP2dD5E_K-jDMyp87ejfngWZMoMwVao8qwgTQQF5DeUb1krMTA6kMrm8yx6u5edyx9I_ZW4lXfajxDZYTLJh3hv2Mrr8_1S0UE-5jGJmn_b/s320/IMG_9847.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Steffi Denecker & "Steps to the Summit"<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Obrigado!</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Paul & Denise <br /></span></p>pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-51334388620065666082021-06-26T07:56:00.002-07:002021-06-27T08:46:28.442-07:00Macedonia & Albania (M&A “Twofer”) Mt. Korab<p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Immediately after bidding farewell to Zeus and descending from the home of the gods, we continued north in our trusty little rental car towards Mt. Korab and the Macedonia border. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Korab is one of only two peaks in all of Europe which are the highest points in more than one country (Mont Blanc is the other). </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWU0pcXecqlazwBupdAE2S76AAWShxK9g6hWRF_xlkXoF_N6MtY0HTyhQ3jdwvLblEoyNtLvltRFnpyEk7aed9UFr2lY7TtcPORWPx51E_qxwM_yhhFL90ut6cKUM6PTLUdAnyQ0Noa4M/s1975/7C7A2221-507C-4A09-89BE-8A0BB58CE4EA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="1481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWU0pcXecqlazwBupdAE2S76AAWShxK9g6hWRF_xlkXoF_N6MtY0HTyhQ3jdwvLblEoyNtLvltRFnpyEk7aed9UFr2lY7TtcPORWPx51E_qxwM_yhhFL90ut6cKUM6PTLUdAnyQ0Noa4M/s320/7C7A2221-507C-4A09-89BE-8A0BB58CE4EA.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;"><span class="s1">Only two years ago in 2019 a long disputed argument and source of instability in the region was finally ‘settled’ by renaming the country North Macedonia (changed from the most recent official name approved by UN Security Council Resolution in 1993: the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, but widely referred to simply as Macedonia). We later learned at an amazing seaside dinner in Thessaloniki with Constantinos, </span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic;">the cousin of a good friend in So Cal</span><span class="s1">, that the new name is still disliked by the ethnic people of Northern Greece who claim pride in their heritage as Macedonians and prefer the country to the north be named something else altogether. Regardless of the name, we wanted to climb the country’s highest peak and were allowed to pass through their border without any requirement of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination card. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">More than five hours after leaving the trailhead at Mt. Olympus, we arrived at Mavrovo National Park and the quaint mountain guest house of Yasmina. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr5pIiLs7kaYaMivpYVporkxHaTxXla0SxFDg4j9PucPUDdH9HEp4WGcc1BWj5UM2wPYOVAtk_XB3MPGY26wttVUstfzh_HClLuenj96sjAa384TjUcmv0dl4MwmgueODo0wcYom__3U/s2048/990FD210-9E4F-4809-B4FF-69797F3B2B5D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr5pIiLs7kaYaMivpYVporkxHaTxXla0SxFDg4j9PucPUDdH9HEp4WGcc1BWj5UM2wPYOVAtk_XB3MPGY26wttVUstfzh_HClLuenj96sjAa384TjUcmv0dl4MwmgueODo0wcYom__3U/s320/990FD210-9E4F-4809-B4FF-69797F3B2B5D.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our off-road machine reaches Strezimir, trailhead location.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;">We were up early again the next morning knowing that our two-wheel drive/low-clearance Nissan Micra would need to endure at least 13 km off-road to get us to Strezimir, the starting point of our Mt. Korab adventure. Thankfully we made it without incident and didn’t need to ditch the car and add any more miles of walking than necessary to what would be another long day.</p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tXJQxOzyk3lCZ_pv1Fiyo9NpgZ5g84IHNJTZCaZxg6wezEh-zQp_yNdV8WvMbIYxt2p2Q6E8JIoYVzQKOYEQsIJL44H7VapYKoRiIXOGZ_jo1-9a2FfqD4UfjzI0BJJIznlis9IaG8k/s2048/A214B988-20A3-4FC3-98E5-F5B42B85DD23.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tXJQxOzyk3lCZ_pv1Fiyo9NpgZ5g84IHNJTZCaZxg6wezEh-zQp_yNdV8WvMbIYxt2p2Q6E8JIoYVzQKOYEQsIJL44H7VapYKoRiIXOGZ_jo1-9a2FfqD4UfjzI0BJJIznlis9IaG8k/s320/A214B988-20A3-4FC3-98E5-F5B42B85DD23.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;">Although our entire trip was a fairly last minute decision, fortunately I had done enough prior research on Korab to know it is not common to run into many others on the trail. (Mostly just sheep and their protective and aggressive dogs). So before leaving I was able to find and download a GPS track onto my Gaia topo maps app on my phone. Anticipating zero cell coverage in this remote area my advance preparation turned out to be a real lifesaver. As the hours of hiking ticked along and elevation gain grew, we encountered much more snow on the slopes than we had expected for this time of year. We didn’t bring crampons or micro spikes so in order to be safe it was critical to avoid slopes with pitches that were too steep. It had also snowed the night before and there were no other people on the trail ahead of us with no telltale footprints to follow. In addition we had no visibility of our target Mt. Korab which was hidden both by clouds and other peaks, so navigating by GPS was the only reasonable way to go.</p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8oMyqbSZLcr8eR_oETZ9hKMMNHlzV8pu_mla7AGfYI7B6BblEdnp-AmrzBPIwqVR-or7lctQ8RYrASjAECySder_X0bgxHIT0jCurh8cp0b0g0zjDXcx_uvU-LQhfK4UDDTp-FpynH8/s2048/157B796A-550D-45A5-B646-31B3B91AD407.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Only crowds encountered on the route all day." border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8oMyqbSZLcr8eR_oETZ9hKMMNHlzV8pu_mla7AGfYI7B6BblEdnp-AmrzBPIwqVR-or7lctQ8RYrASjAECySder_X0bgxHIT0jCurh8cp0b0g0zjDXcx_uvU-LQhfK4UDDTp-FpynH8/w320-h240/157B796A-550D-45A5-B646-31B3B91AD407.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only crowds encountered on the route all day.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;">After running into one dead end with a steep couloir, we turned around and backtracked looking for another way up. It was here that we met the only other people we had seen on the mountain so far that day. It was a Polish couple and we chatted a bit and looked around together at possible ways to ascend. I showed them my GPS track and topo and they said something in Polish and continued to study their paper map. Clearly they were not convinced of my technology because they decided to go in the opposite direction to where I was suggesting and pointing we should go. We parted ways and Denise and I quietly wished them luck under our breath.</p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXxHLVK0gdQeQlwQYI2LogtkLV2unrpMBMPKCJz1qeLwrOz2gwrRpPUivMY839f-VWG7pOAHk-ZyaawHu1F5hgdtxxfj14lBeN4YlnlfSmohKHc19_Rwf5haHBufsfGgjqJ8x-ZNv3Mk/s2048/2B84EB8E-D380-40E1-AD20-7D35669127BB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXxHLVK0gdQeQlwQYI2LogtkLV2unrpMBMPKCJz1qeLwrOz2gwrRpPUivMY839f-VWG7pOAHk-ZyaawHu1F5hgdtxxfj14lBeN4YlnlfSmohKHc19_Rwf5haHBufsfGgjqJ8x-ZNv3Mk/s320/2B84EB8E-D380-40E1-AD20-7D35669127BB.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlY2ZciDMhl8yZRl3dje5SYCrmHTKPVmwhJLBXjKXyUF008gh8n1nsYpO-N5A7YK2UJ50LgXcoGm8tVRyujGhsxUEqI1JschB6vwXLBO4Ob85VVfdVzEuIQp92QMB9_Tl12SNJxenwKA/s2048/19E27FD2-78ED-45F7-A6BA-1BB15069FFA1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlY2ZciDMhl8yZRl3dje5SYCrmHTKPVmwhJLBXjKXyUF008gh8n1nsYpO-N5A7YK2UJ50LgXcoGm8tVRyujGhsxUEqI1JschB6vwXLBO4Ob85VVfdVzEuIQp92QMB9_Tl12SNJxenwKA/s320/19E27FD2-78ED-45F7-A6BA-1BB15069FFA1.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wTf-yjlCjhZMfu_iufNMYtAW-e_ITJmtUw3RMWkvLu8xlqnVzNRRb3RtZKvEmCfniHWpI0_2hz6bczJqufKhmEwJee_xkJfh_9xuuNnZfdbUHCPVsSVkFnl5WeMF2Lk3CLUKjLXQHBo/s2048/79757341-D6CB-426F-9579-8C7658D81B1D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wTf-yjlCjhZMfu_iufNMYtAW-e_ITJmtUw3RMWkvLu8xlqnVzNRRb3RtZKvEmCfniHWpI0_2hz6bczJqufKhmEwJee_xkJfh_9xuuNnZfdbUHCPVsSVkFnl5WeMF2Lk3CLUKjLXQHBo/s320/79757341-D6CB-426F-9579-8C7658D81B1D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;">About an hour or so later after traversing several very reasonably low-angled snow fields, we reached the snow free summit ridge of Mt. Korab! Here we walked along the border of North Macedonia and Albania, taking in the stunning views until we achieved the “twofer” standing at 2,764 meters (~9,068 feet) the highest peak of both countries!</p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTfNpEutnv9LUPWd6xQxiyK53o10a2tTefJhkHHcnk4pVlq4eHwzeEvaAnz8WlShsXWwvjB4c3NG6D0liCrL-qkEowMQfV81mL9fj1NFvRlPxeQc4rqZIpWfs-XOWAQxNEh61lTbJEZk/s2048/F66D6D54-3D70-45BB-991C-201611C96C3C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTfNpEutnv9LUPWd6xQxiyK53o10a2tTefJhkHHcnk4pVlq4eHwzeEvaAnz8WlShsXWwvjB4c3NG6D0liCrL-qkEowMQfV81mL9fj1NFvRlPxeQc4rqZIpWfs-XOWAQxNEh61lTbJEZk/s320/F66D6D54-3D70-45BB-991C-201611C96C3C.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzbZqpRZql06oDqzNBoTEEU5u8TDTCHcpa-rUfkK7X4GcYNv9dU_PRAFrqtLWBn9U8OyTjJ0e_Y5Xgaws81kw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;">Until the next adventure…</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">All the Best,</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Paul & Denise</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">P.S. Fortunately as we were descending we spotted the Polish couple so we knew they were safe. It seemed that at some point they gave up on their approach and ended up following our track up, but they probably decided it was getting too late in the day to go all the way to the summit so they were heading down. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Good decision, but a better decision earlier in the day would have been to trust technology ...and the Americanos! :-)</span></p>pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-44309233864183789272021-06-21T05:21:00.000-07:002021-06-21T05:21:26.836-07:00Mt. Olympus: Home of Zeus<p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWowD6hzXqTHAInbTiNDBySxJ0UguJDTcig8xvVLsA3vInzWlH3WQX6wfY3KH0vVYL0nsmi6zc_zP-kF7SaHsWtOmqs9JkZEWIuPoVcVJFYqQ1dDdQT2irsn-YcljX_HpHUwte8-V6WM/s2048/39A69E7D-C4FD-4432-BBDF-6055E5C63CC8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWowD6hzXqTHAInbTiNDBySxJ0UguJDTcig8xvVLsA3vInzWlH3WQX6wfY3KH0vVYL0nsmi6zc_zP-kF7SaHsWtOmqs9JkZEWIuPoVcVJFYqQ1dDdQT2irsn-YcljX_HpHUwte8-V6WM/s320/39A69E7D-C4FD-4432-BBDF-6055E5C63CC8.jpeg" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Greetings from Greece where we have now climbed the highest mountain in the country - Mt. Olympus - the cradle of Greek Mythology and the home of the gods. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is the first time we have left our home/country in almost two years so we’re quite grateful for the opportunity. Greece opened for tourism in mid-May and itching for a new international destination to visit, we were welcomed into the country after presenting our CDC vaccination cards. It was a fairly last-minute idea to book flights and go, and so far we couldn’t be happier with our decision. After arriving in Athens we checked into a great hotel with amazing views of the Acropolis right from our room. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjDvLyHaIiMgu86q1AJnPUyxw1KHFdzXaAaiygxJ5ZQnKxkODAFoxXTL0EOIQKJHtjSMWaqfKczvYNmR-hnskj0LpxBpIwPhVlXZWFwQ-2ZjbCSGBJ4RakMeITzoy_4Fg-ZiFHp9aPmw/s2048/11706DD5-9DBD-4265-B41A-017F79194868.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjDvLyHaIiMgu86q1AJnPUyxw1KHFdzXaAaiygxJ5ZQnKxkODAFoxXTL0EOIQKJHtjSMWaqfKczvYNmR-hnskj0LpxBpIwPhVlXZWFwQ-2ZjbCSGBJ4RakMeITzoy_4Fg-ZiFHp9aPmw/s320/11706DD5-9DBD-4265-B41A-017F79194868.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;">At our very first dinner in Greece I learned that Greek salad tastes even better in Greece. ...especially with a glass of Ouzo!</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;">Early the next morning we pointed our rental car north and four hours later we were awestruck by the monasteries perched a</span>top rock monoliths at Meteora. One of them was featured in the 1981 James Bond movie <i>For Your Eyes Only</i>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2Rk-9EKkKo65kci-4XTOc0JN53rk4bbZI5RK3wKJV4if0c65u45UVed3HDmMxRrwdhmu40XppUzz5IMtM51PDOhf5iIHIyKa-qItK5psNvsFcE8hiXNYtwLYXhjcwq-au7g1hwgA4rI/s2048/EA74EC12-3EDE-475E-BC1C-CD5A3BC27DC3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2Rk-9EKkKo65kci-4XTOc0JN53rk4bbZI5RK3wKJV4if0c65u45UVed3HDmMxRrwdhmu40XppUzz5IMtM51PDOhf5iIHIyKa-qItK5psNvsFcE8hiXNYtwLYXhjcwq-au7g1hwgA4rI/s320/EA74EC12-3EDE-475E-BC1C-CD5A3BC27DC3.jpeg" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">It was well worth the detour on our way to Mt. Olympus.</p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">With its imposing vertical spires and no apparent way to reasonably ascend, we figured out why it took so long for the mythological home of Zeus to be confirmed as a myth. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>...nobody could actually climb to the peak of Olympus to find out if Zeus really lived up there! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK9GHTslZn5v9g5WI4ZthXqEKBF33Hk559KX05JEylSUZcRdzAHUS4cV0EF1Bplb9pCIkcKWNhKPOKygbTg99dvPkttkB5iCwY6iXvb_p49qzT5-Ayn5VTi_SlOf_8Yu_SJDoOusCR7o/s2048/1887630C-8D8C-4649-93CF-7F61B1DA79DD.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK9GHTslZn5v9g5WI4ZthXqEKBF33Hk559KX05JEylSUZcRdzAHUS4cV0EF1Bplb9pCIkcKWNhKPOKygbTg99dvPkttkB5iCwY6iXvb_p49qzT5-Ayn5VTi_SlOf_8Yu_SJDoOusCR7o/s320/1887630C-8D8C-4649-93CF-7F61B1DA79DD.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">We decided to spend the night at a mountain refuge called Spilios Agapitos in order to break up the 6,000 vertical foot climb. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>With great views and an incredible location, the hut has been managed for the past 20 years by Maria Zolota and her husband and they serve delicious hot meals and are truly wonderful hosts. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QCfVcIqMN8Ujc7SGS3GuSofSPHXtZp8sWOsb84Mo66nMctI1it8eNZozeplEIvQzwZIjFBVX6jOFXppx4sgEME2gWWEv9iDsT8GZ4zN7hj8FO7ZjlzazK-BSecYN-9R5pqInB2tLsL0/s2048/9F476EBA-0C41-4F50-8355-A5EF87735C4C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QCfVcIqMN8Ujc7SGS3GuSofSPHXtZp8sWOsb84Mo66nMctI1it8eNZozeplEIvQzwZIjFBVX6jOFXppx4sgEME2gWWEv9iDsT8GZ4zN7hj8FO7ZjlzazK-BSecYN-9R5pqInB2tLsL0/s320/9F476EBA-0C41-4F50-8355-A5EF87735C4C.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81_Bh7GnS13h_3Ry6rpEu1rqsLBGZbj58Kz4HuJ_XtleELBcUN1XEMNuP2Z1fxgwi3AiSSEougd2GtE27jIRmcooJKP9xE4gfWfbhp1fKZ_HuYfP2qLfzjki9Lm8kzMxBgTydsh4yZ8U/s2048/2978AD04-ABAB-4B57-97D4-62474C63D2DB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81_Bh7GnS13h_3Ry6rpEu1rqsLBGZbj58Kz4HuJ_XtleELBcUN1XEMNuP2Z1fxgwi3AiSSEougd2GtE27jIRmcooJKP9xE4gfWfbhp1fKZ_HuYfP2qLfzjki9Lm8kzMxBgTydsh4yZ8U/s320/2978AD04-ABAB-4B57-97D4-62474C63D2DB.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeszwCUp6q32NoEwCLFhZI9RdpsCFTGrRlIZhmbZpgMGgyWgMEdXtyxURTXldDu0opM8RsYni919gE6oi7JjqISMTlH4FnINvHHAry5ewjKMIBn8xLjw4zWYOiAtjPPrj3ZYo7wagi0w/s2048/ECF2CA14-39BB-4544-A494-E7B20F1A1B19.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1535" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeszwCUp6q32NoEwCLFhZI9RdpsCFTGrRlIZhmbZpgMGgyWgMEdXtyxURTXldDu0opM8RsYni919gE6oi7JjqISMTlH4FnINvHHAry5ewjKMIBn8xLjw4zWYOiAtjPPrj3ZYo7wagi0w/w240-h320/ECF2CA14-39BB-4544-A494-E7B20F1A1B19.jpeg" title="See red arrow pointing to Refuge" width="240" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">We were up early and on the trail by 6:00 AM before everybody else in the refuge was awake and before they started serving breakfast...and COFFEE! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We were alone on the trail all morning with exception of several chamois (sort of a horned goat-antelope) and two guys who turned around at Skala Peak. This is the point where most people who hike Olympus head back as it is the beginning of the somewhat sketchy exposed rock scrambling section that begins with demoralizing down climbing. It was here where we spotted the only other group on the mountain ahead of us. It was a guided group of 10 who were roped together and all wearing climbing helmets. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9VTOdO3wGUFzVYd5x_zZrSaCW8rlZNYjHKRpFIGvWVYPIGcFxV9gG-1Aowq9b2ogwe3rtAGX5ZUtX8RM5LQBEo9hPhDUirDNcVBxDDYkUH4l55l7CtNE3g7Qyo1zT-gWF4_wneWTnoI/s2048/83513CD9-F17E-4D28-A5AC-169892B0D2DE.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9VTOdO3wGUFzVYd5x_zZrSaCW8rlZNYjHKRpFIGvWVYPIGcFxV9gG-1Aowq9b2ogwe3rtAGX5ZUtX8RM5LQBEo9hPhDUirDNcVBxDDYkUH4l55l7CtNE3g7Qyo1zT-gWF4_wneWTnoI/s320/83513CD9-F17E-4D28-A5AC-169892B0D2DE.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCtzrXg4E4t17Ic3F_d1Mfx_xkokREuAfwYhBPW7KrNRAqClEdCsei0tZhAdXTcxo_TXRzwnf5qm32iH2x2l2JRuxRgAN-Io4e9pI6mOMS4yZJape9bwsDF5DKlKVif1yVNgRKy4cimc/s2048/C4B880F1-C593-4042-8B1D-402C386C3BE2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCtzrXg4E4t17Ic3F_d1Mfx_xkokREuAfwYhBPW7KrNRAqClEdCsei0tZhAdXTcxo_TXRzwnf5qm32iH2x2l2JRuxRgAN-Io4e9pI6mOMS4yZJape9bwsDF5DKlKVif1yVNgRKy4cimc/w320-h240/C4B880F1-C593-4042-8B1D-402C386C3BE2.jpeg" title="One of several Chamois spotted along the route." width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFr_9k2kvGECtu2CDiqsGYm3YlSNxz42XxIvJnKhTrQadct9o9E1UyIs8s8i75IVaJQlOmyAKeqyjzldgKdP9XBrSQF6mobwkdO_t4Wbi6-e_foqvuwEt9dtRncuRkqLcITHqWygm0dU/s2048/7319E513-0A0F-4852-A569-170774460160.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFr_9k2kvGECtu2CDiqsGYm3YlSNxz42XxIvJnKhTrQadct9o9E1UyIs8s8i75IVaJQlOmyAKeqyjzldgKdP9XBrSQF6mobwkdO_t4Wbi6-e_foqvuwEt9dtRncuRkqLcITHqWygm0dU/s320/7319E513-0A0F-4852-A569-170774460160.jpeg" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">My prior research on Olympus seemed to indicate a rope was not necessary but seeing that the only other people climbing the mountain were using one, made me wonder if we should have brought our gear. Luckily for us the Greek Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (E.O.O.A.) has carefully painted red and yellow markings along the route so we could easily see the most manageable way up and we felt comfortable without a rope. Although I’m sure the protection of a rope would definitely provide some mental reassurance with the steep slopes and sheer cliffs we navigated around.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HqmfcDHH2KXvtMmgvpxLw_aBvkQ8Y49p3pwcsAntRulLPby8AP5F25VBURstvl-MCIam7pWZCvKxzjg70VGeola3wm-7zq1Tr19bOomEl672OG3ALMQJpv0Qwa1HJIghkyFyRFMd2Jc/s2048/39A76585-020D-4863-A341-3E7F4FEDF499.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HqmfcDHH2KXvtMmgvpxLw_aBvkQ8Y49p3pwcsAntRulLPby8AP5F25VBURstvl-MCIam7pWZCvKxzjg70VGeola3wm-7zq1Tr19bOomEl672OG3ALMQJpv0Qwa1HJIghkyFyRFMd2Jc/s320/39A76585-020D-4863-A341-3E7F4FEDF499.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiartXUp52bCntj4SB0zMpmlBgDYBpSeSciw0nUXtLTtS8p1OBvqpjThhrwV_s7W6lGqH6UryC8GJxMquvUZhj0MfpRSWqwOHrj-2M_vpMUS51KtUxgvcft96YDF2WmD9r0O0sO037Ge3w/s2048/70D5FF6F-5801-4F06-AD18-D44FE9DEC28B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiartXUp52bCntj4SB0zMpmlBgDYBpSeSciw0nUXtLTtS8p1OBvqpjThhrwV_s7W6lGqH6UryC8GJxMquvUZhj0MfpRSWqwOHrj-2M_vpMUS51KtUxgvcft96YDF2WmD9r0O0sO037Ge3w/s320/70D5FF6F-5801-4F06-AD18-D44FE9DEC28B.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraAtgwA1OxQLYaXePsCzvWFcTz8e0DZos2Fdyq1iBvzhuG1sX3bn1r5_Hddo2yuaNih1IbLRLzWJWGwfaHaEaexrKKs3D3cnqfYkhQNCLy12u4-uJmprNuFEvYVmBV8a7EHtYO7ufV48/s2048/DE71B153-C55B-4087-9FA8-54448A5D6626.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraAtgwA1OxQLYaXePsCzvWFcTz8e0DZos2Fdyq1iBvzhuG1sX3bn1r5_Hddo2yuaNih1IbLRLzWJWGwfaHaEaexrKKs3D3cnqfYkhQNCLy12u4-uJmprNuFEvYVmBV8a7EHtYO7ufV48/s320/DE71B153-C55B-4087-9FA8-54448A5D6626.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dySN1anpaDDdr3L6Qq9GjGDElnfhwDsbH5QKIZeCUairGJrvULq-QhXfsbyT8MYno6M4D6rrSe_6-uU1jYP-g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">It really wasn’t that bad just a bit intimidating at points to be unfamiliar with the route and not knowing what awaited for us ahead. It made me appreciate that this was a perfect analogy for life. And it reminded me of some advice found in Step #2 the “Live Courageously” chapter of this great book called “<i>Steps to the Summit</i>.” </span><span class="s2">😉</span><span class="s1"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 27.4px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Wishing all of you our very best!</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Opa!</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; text-size-adjust: auto;">-Paul & Denise</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span> </p>pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-31849605458355185942019-10-04T08:02:00.003-07:002019-10-04T08:02:41.107-07:00Triumph on Triglav<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold"; font-size: small;">With Grossglockner in our rear view mirror we headed south and in less than two hours we crossed the border from Austria into Slovenia. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Our next adventure - Triglav the highest mountain in Slovenia and also the highest in former Yugoslavia before Slovenia became an independent nation in 1991. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">At the base of the </span><span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tominšek route, a giant carabiner memorial for fallen climbers. </span></span></td></tr>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold"; font-size: small;">The impressive prominence of the peak and near vertical limestone walls are a sight to behold and a source of pride for Slovenians. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The fact that Triglav is featured on the nation’s flag is testament to its importance to the country. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The former Slovene president Milan Kučan once proclaimed that it is a duty of every Slovenian person to climb Triglav at least once in their lifetime. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And this is a tall order considering the physical and mental strength required to scale the steep and exposed faces necessary to reach the top. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The near vertical North Face with snow dusted summit of Triglav above.</td></tr>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold"; font-size: small;">Similar to Grossglockner, Triglav has many more cables or “via ferratas” bolted into the rock to which carabiners can be clipped in for safety. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Without them one would need nerves of steel like Alex Honnold in Free Solo to climb this without protection. Of course he would scramble up this like a mountain goat playing tag and laughing with his mountain goat friends.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCH4FpZEzgiA6qujatv_ytiQni1ZstVgQXCKpDlrL4VgpTRpMmdFtmbihH5wt0zHSGA-8MwQD3usOVH3gelzgIbeGFwswFmlvdc0fZ25niXgIrXNVUQe2R2P4bi8UWDmfOslE5CNi_8o/s1600/3AAEC8CA-FDED-4FDF-9DDE-D87063CF88AD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCH4FpZEzgiA6qujatv_ytiQni1ZstVgQXCKpDlrL4VgpTRpMmdFtmbihH5wt0zHSGA-8MwQD3usOVH3gelzgIbeGFwswFmlvdc0fZ25niXgIrXNVUQe2R2P4bi8UWDmfOslE5CNi_8o/s320/3AAEC8CA-FDED-4FDF-9DDE-D87063CF88AD.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denise in foreground with Helga and Sean (from Dublin) making their way up the via ferrata. </td></tr>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold"; font-size: small;">Also just like our last climb, we threaded the weather needle and woke up in our quaint mountain hut to clear skies and a fresh blanket of snow covering the upper mountain. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We slept at the Aljažev dom in the Vrata Valley in order to have early access to our chosen route called Tominšek. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s considered the the most beautiful and classic Triglav route, but by no means the easiest. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We were climbing adjacent to the massive and imposing North Face and due to the sheer steepness, we were ascending at a rate of ~1,000 feet per hour for several hours straight. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>With the aid of the via ferrata cables we were able to climb much faster without the need to set up ropes and belay each other up the numerous exposed sections. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We did not take a guide with us as we heard the route was well marked (it was) and the cables provided a good visual as well.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-1qWx7O_Bj-kazLehIWAW9bbjeKp0Rk2mSDuTf8GDqhSd9PPUlWeKmcLxLvd5Jt9gMbz1Bsyy_U3H-GY1QOxoN55Aet0iDjqiAkHFG0cgzKr9iSFAjqh4SZ3bpML8ZRcK3xhJVCm040/s1600/CB8C940F-9078-4187-B4A4-555C663BF068.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-1qWx7O_Bj-kazLehIWAW9bbjeKp0Rk2mSDuTf8GDqhSd9PPUlWeKmcLxLvd5Jt9gMbz1Bsyy_U3H-GY1QOxoN55Aet0iDjqiAkHFG0cgzKr9iSFAjqh4SZ3bpML8ZRcK3xhJVCm040/s320/CB8C940F-9078-4187-B4A4-555C663BF068.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold"; font-size: x-small;">Aljažev dom hut near the base of the </span><span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold"; font-size: small;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold"; font-size: x-small;">Tominšek route, where we spent the night before starting the climb.</span> </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kmnPI59oLMKr-wJjQXfvbxrh9S8_nw-hYG27WFlxTAyppy5Dne1sEzOa1PBstRE-cUO1MqT0rmYoKR2kkUryILOQrI2X18jXWQKZ7M2WdElJMh-m4FwJC85DdqixOPMhM5fexDoylKw/s1600/4BD984F3-0199-46E3-83AF-9A8ECC6E55C7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kmnPI59oLMKr-wJjQXfvbxrh9S8_nw-hYG27WFlxTAyppy5Dne1sEzOa1PBstRE-cUO1MqT0rmYoKR2kkUryILOQrI2X18jXWQKZ7M2WdElJMh-m4FwJC85DdqixOPMhM5fexDoylKw/s320/4BD984F3-0199-46E3-83AF-9A8ECC6E55C7.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold"; font-size: small;">As we approached the next hut where we would spend the night, the Triglavski dom na Kredarici at 8,252 feet, we encountered others on the way down. One after another they reported they couldn’t reach the summit because of too much snow and no crampons. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Helga, Denise and I all looked at each other with regret of our decision to leave our crampons behind in order to save the weight in our packs. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Our only hope now was that the warming temperatures of the day would melt the snow enough to allow some traction for our boots. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>...either that or we would have to send Helga back down with her long legs to retrieve our crampons! :-)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjls0OSszp2THX7LEkyCB-48LVRyas7wB1Jh9heTBBbd1gFnZmylks5b8lJO7nwtHyNBl5PE0NcHr1l5D94as1OQKCCkZLgtCYTv2va6EQjkIJ80o2gLi78qV6eHMsrku_9rgrJugfe_2A/s1600/D8F0BD1A-8685-453C-905D-9C4D276D1A7A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjls0OSszp2THX7LEkyCB-48LVRyas7wB1Jh9heTBBbd1gFnZmylks5b8lJO7nwtHyNBl5PE0NcHr1l5D94as1OQKCCkZLgtCYTv2va6EQjkIJ80o2gLi78qV6eHMsrku_9rgrJugfe_2A/s320/D8F0BD1A-8685-453C-905D-9C4D276D1A7A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold"; font-size: small;">We also came to the realization that the partially melted and packed snow would freeze overnight and become an ice skating rink by morning. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So, we decided to change our plan of only hiking to the hut for the day, and instead go all the way and attempt the summit in one long push. We then encountered a French climber descending from the top and he said he was able to do it without crampons. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Encouraged, we marched onward and reached the first of several icy cable sections where we clipped in and treaded cautiously. It was slow going at times but after 8 1/2 hours and almost 6,000 vertical feet, we reached the summit of Triglav, at 9,396 feet the highest point in Slovenia!</span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold"; font-size: small;">After our celebratory photos raising the Challenged Athletes Foundation flag, we headed carefully back down the ridge for ~2 hours to the Triglavski dom high hut. Here we enjoyed a hot meal and a well-deserved rest before heading all the way back down the next morning. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Slovenia and the Triglav National Park have truly been a remarkable place to visit and we hope to return again to this wonderful country.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">On the S</span><span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ummit of Triglav, at 9,396 feet the highest point in Slovenia! </span></span></td></tr>
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pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-86197369160730416712019-09-28T06:33:00.001-07:002019-09-28T06:35:38.496-07:00Guts Required on Grossglockner<span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Standing prominently above other peaks in the Alps, at 12,461 feet Grossglockner is the highest mountain in Austria. And of all the mountains we have climbed around the world it is also one of the most technically challenging, on par with Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia and the Matterhorn. The extreme exposure on the high ridge required intense concentration to focus on each hand and foothold. I tried not to allow my mind to wander, contemplating the unpleasant scenarios that would be the result of a fall thousands of feet down bouncing off sharp rocks to the glacier below. Fortunately this wouldn’t likely occur since we were roped together and also had with us a skilled bergfüehrer with many years experience climbing Grossglockner. His name is Toni Sauper and we would highly recommend hiring him for anyone interested in a guide for this impressive peak: <a href="http://www.grossglockner-bergfuehrer.at/" target="_blank">grossglockner-bergfuehrer.at</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"> </a>(nice photos of the mtn. on this site too) </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Salmhütte at 8,725 feet</span></td></tr>
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<span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our plan to go to Grossglockner was hatched back in May while climbing <a href="http://fejteksevensummits.blogspot.com/2019/06/montenegros-zla-kolata-evil-mountain.html" target="_blank">Zla Kolata - The Evil Mouhntain</a> in Montenegro with our friend Helga Hengge. Since she lives only a few hours away in Munich, Helga had familiarity with climbing in the Alps and knew about some of the Austrian mountain huts. We decided to take a longer and more scenic route called the Bishop Salm Route, which also happened to be pioneered by the first expedition to climb the mountain in 1799. This is a less frequented route and combined with the late season and the incoming storm, we had the mountain mostly to ourselves. Not wanting a repeat of the weather we endured on Zla Kolatta we stayed at a mountain hut called the Glocknerhaus at the base of the trail at ~7,000’. </span><br />
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<span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This gave us a chance to start earlier in the morning and get ahead of the forecasted rain and snow. Dark clouds rolled in after a few hours of hiking and a bit of rain fell on us, but we made it up to the second hut, the Salmhütte at 8,725 feet where we took shelter for the night. The snow began to fall as we ate dinner and continued to accumulate as we slept. Luck was on our side as we awoke for breakfast at 5 AM with a break in the storm and we began hiking by 6 heading for our objective, the summit of Grossglockner. It was a spectacular day and the fresh snow gave the mountain a picture perfect powder sugar covered look. The downside of this however made for slippery footing at times with a thin coat of snow over rock, making the exposed sections high up on the summit ridge require even more serious concentration. Luckily there are cables bolted into the rock in many of the precarious spots on the mountain where we were able to clip in for extra protection. All went smoothly and we made it to the top and back down to the Salmhütte by the end of the day without incident. We spent a second night at the hut and hiked out in the morning with great memories of a fantastic Austrian adventure! </span> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our <span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">bergfüehrer </span>Toni Sauper</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit of Grossglockner 12,461 feet</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heiligenblut</td></tr>
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pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-58860305780807744102019-06-11T10:15:00.000-07:002019-06-11T10:38:11.545-07:00Soaking in the Splendor of Sněžka<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VTJ7CRzFi5Hx3UmvCr46w7Q7wP1KgTKj-eTi-IoRMH7syLQaxn_cmN2ZGxncmyuEuRgaYthrcE2LayjLvE7UOgy43YmRxk7n8RBR9PL8xIExfgZJ0HIyOMbzvJBy7T3C7cbnmNPdUd8/s1600/IMG_1574.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VTJ7CRzFi5Hx3UmvCr46w7Q7wP1KgTKj-eTi-IoRMH7syLQaxn_cmN2ZGxncmyuEuRgaYthrcE2LayjLvE7UOgy43YmRxk7n8RBR9PL8xIExfgZJ0HIyOMbzvJBy7T3C7cbnmNPdUd8/s320/IMG_1574.JPEG" width="239" /></a></div>
<span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our journey to the highest peak in the Czech Republic was preceded by a full week of meetings in Prague, and concluded with one of the most unique and outrageous experiences that most people in North America have likely never heard of. An experience which some would only imagine in their dreams.</span><br />
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<span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Before I get to the outrageous experience, business first. The entire reason for our trip to Eastern Europe </span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">(</span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">including our tour of Croatia, Bosnia & </span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Herzegovina</span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Montenegro</span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">) was to visit the Czech Republic, the homeland of both of my parents. My grandparents had some real estate interests in Prague which were passed on to my dad and his siblings. As a result of my dad‘s passing last summer I joined my aunt and uncle to sort out and help manage some of these matters. Along the way I got to meet some second cousins, longtime family friends and even the Portuguese Ambassador to the Czech Republic! Czechs are of course passionate about their Pilsner, so as not to offend any of our guests at dinner meetings all week I was obliged to drink my share!</span><br />
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<span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeSIJFidPyITB1Gbps4iw9fXlaNNO96YM9qc_-eZ0ocqe1aYI63TcsN83kVbgp3zczmyZ1r1mHxARmwBjcZora9F3aJoJ-GAorr1XnmAWnzdNPZyT6weIAzDI7-kggY9n0RYZOs3SCEQ/s1600/IMG_1620.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeSIJFidPyITB1Gbps4iw9fXlaNNO96YM9qc_-eZ0ocqe1aYI63TcsN83kVbgp3zczmyZ1r1mHxARmwBjcZora9F3aJoJ-GAorr1XnmAWnzdNPZyT6weIAzDI7-kggY9n0RYZOs3SCEQ/s320/IMG_1620.JPEG" width="240" /> </a></div>
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<span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Once the meetings were all complete on Friday, my uncle Ian, Denise and I headed 2 1/2 hours north to the Krkonoše Mountains, the “Giant Mountains” which aren’t very giant at all. </span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sněžka</span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, meaning the Snowy One is the highest in the country at a whopping 5,260 feet. Pec pod </span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sněžk</span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">ou is a quaint resort village at the base of the mountain which could easily be mistaken for a scenic alpine retreat in the Swiss or Austrian Alps. We tested the limits of our Czech-made </span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Škoda rental car by driving all the way up a steep single lane road in first gear, and then checked in to the Hotel Emerich. Not only did it have stunning views and excellent service, in the winter the hotel is only accessible by snowcat and sits in the middle of the ski runs. Our kind of place!</span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ477wUWL-blezEKheaLWW-oG9fKnuSEeXvRtKcORkrXORGicj_haDdMrZ87geJ9FCRHuy-jCiq6s8_0VjCs55qhsysb5lKqSuU1bMPf3ehmcYptOObn0Le6lM0mJXFksaXGBx96DWvFM/s1600/IMG_1527.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ477wUWL-blezEKheaLWW-oG9fKnuSEeXvRtKcORkrXORGicj_haDdMrZ87geJ9FCRHuy-jCiq6s8_0VjCs55qhsysb5lKqSuU1bMPf3ehmcYptOObn0Le6lM0mJXFksaXGBx96DWvFM/s320/IMG_1527.JPEG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the deck at Hotel Emerich with Pec pod <span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sněžk</span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">ou below and </span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sněžka peak on the horizon (right).</span> </span></td></tr>
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<span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning Ian, Denise and I met our Prague accountant, Pavel Kuře who joined for the hike along with his family and two-year-old son on his back. We also met our friends Eva and Antoine who we got to know last year in Vietnam climbing Fan Si Pan (<a href="https://fejteksevensummits.blogspot.com/2018/11/good-morning-vietnam.html" target="_blank">Good Morning Vietnam</a> blog post).
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<span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Together we all had a pleasant walk socializing as we hiked up an easy path to the summit. Along the way we crossed the border into Poland for a short while and before we knew it, in less than three hours we were at the top. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Eva Beranova and Antoine Kermarec</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU50WBrcuhPMis7ftBeHQ_5YUjlk7yj3wOEeAiEk0BQJmY7wKu9lzKo0AvYNPAKuJVIZm4vHqLDMbpEDlGTBADXSdXUVuNu9WKiOAeQVIV1lMfz3S2_8UiK-n_FFYbgwISrP4DCkdDm1w/s1600/IMG_1568.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU50WBrcuhPMis7ftBeHQ_5YUjlk7yj3wOEeAiEk0BQJmY7wKu9lzKo0AvYNPAKuJVIZm4vHqLDMbpEDlGTBADXSdXUVuNu9WKiOAeQVIV1lMfz3S2_8UiK-n_FFYbgwISrP4DCkdDm1w/s320/IMG_1568.JPEG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Pavel Kuře with one of the </span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sněžka</span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Sherpa Cup competitors carrying 132 lbs on his back.</span> </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-zHKsutKCnAdh906BJ_C6vhUGTFfW2v3qQ9a6FuHWlM49KARLws7bQQFjpjuwFhPlbqx3g5_1x5fjYO6-vBYQ_-brB4eVcc5d2yqpZ4I4E6vYKuVeOg0ykp_0pY1-Ydw2u0aqM6kQ_w/s1600/IMG_1549.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-zHKsutKCnAdh906BJ_C6vhUGTFfW2v3qQ9a6FuHWlM49KARLws7bQQFjpjuwFhPlbqx3g5_1x5fjYO6-vBYQ_-brB4eVcc5d2yqpZ4I4E6vYKuVeOg0ykp_0pY1-Ydw2u0aqM6kQ_w/s320/IMG_1549.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It was great fun to cheer along the strong and determined Czechs who were reaching the summit finish line of the annual </span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sněžka</span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Sherpa Cup. Some of the participants hauled 60 kg loads (132 lbs) all the way from the base almost 3,000 vertical feet below. Their reward: a shot of Slivovice (Czech plum brandy, or as I refer to it “devil water”). Next year maybe we’ll have to sponsor a team of our Sherpa friends from Nepal and see what happens! At least we know the big Czech guys will be sure to win any drinking competitions afterwards.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rRGy-uqbl8wey-xpsgkbkqHN23REzDD-yZemfPILKhXSlQ0nxmhpr_Xkh1dF68s3u90GssjpFIKmLJGGKsX1ylJQC4OVGK4UutXxonh5Dzvaew9rRoos80hv4Q8_9ThJ9RQisRs3OZo/s1600/IMG_1584.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rRGy-uqbl8wey-xpsgkbkqHN23REzDD-yZemfPILKhXSlQ0nxmhpr_Xkh1dF68s3u90GssjpFIKmLJGGKsX1ylJQC4OVGK4UutXxonh5Dzvaew9rRoos80hv4Q8_9ThJ9RQisRs3OZo/s320/IMG_1584.JPEG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 8th at the summit of <span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sněžka</span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, the highest peak in the Czech Republic.</span></td></tr>
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<span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Speaking of which, we are finally now at the point where we had our most unique and outrageous experience which was definitely one for the memory books. Upon completing an 11-mile loop over the course of seven hours, we returned to the trailhead area and the Pecky Pivovar brewery. About a year and a half ago the brewery decided some of its patrons might enjoy (perhaps ecstatically) the idea of soaking their entire body in a beer jacuzzi! So they built a beer spa, adjacent to the big brew tanks where weary skiers and </span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sněžka</span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> hikers like us can rejuvenate their bodies in a jetted tub of warm beer. It even has a self-serve tap to supply copious amounts of cold beer to the inside of the body for a full restorative effect! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxBi3mSmx_jYF9emZ-J2L7hwXCi4RCrw2ozeif_-_64mnMvmAEpgJnPhVAwUXxec90aAcpoWMrPbG1GRq-M9GRuS7ngdujPxjn4j9AxO6imNs384dh07DYI75vhmxOzUjVZY35angfcg/s1600/IMG_1633.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxBi3mSmx_jYF9emZ-J2L7hwXCi4RCrw2ozeif_-_64mnMvmAEpgJnPhVAwUXxec90aAcpoWMrPbG1GRq-M9GRuS7ngdujPxjn4j9AxO6imNs384dh07DYI75vhmxOzUjVZY35angfcg/s320/IMG_1633.JPEG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a day of hiking, toasting our <span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sněžka</span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> summit in a tub full of Czech beer! </span> </td></tr>
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<span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Forget Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge, the beer spa at Pecky Pivovar in Pec pod </span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sněžkou</span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> is reason alone for a trip to the Czech Republic! I am proud of my people for bringing into existence this great contribution to human happiness. ...and I suspect it would also bring a smile to my dad’s face if he could see us enjoying the fun!</span>pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-50114892739033559242019-06-01T00:24:00.000-07:002019-06-01T03:10:25.659-07:00Montenegro’s Zla Kolata: The Evil Mountain<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGy-u5fI0WmscO-u-hJyyp-YU4Vs7fh61I2UVrT_ahwpIdZHiyV9Vd5TO8SnWOC-m3JVjfHvXlcWPT1aQ71gzAjFQN5hvQUhjwLVfPVjvO74A5s0nHAVauLJ3_Xf1k7JOKvuaQHa7FErs/s1600/2303186F-95A1-40D9-BB88-C003E75B9D1F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGy-u5fI0WmscO-u-hJyyp-YU4Vs7fh61I2UVrT_ahwpIdZHiyV9Vd5TO8SnWOC-m3JVjfHvXlcWPT1aQ71gzAjFQN5hvQUhjwLVfPVjvO74A5s0nHAVauLJ3_Xf1k7JOKvuaQHa7FErs/s320/2303186F-95A1-40D9-BB88-C003E75B9D1F.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Also known as the “Accursed Mountains” in Prokletije National Park (the highest part of the Dinaric Alps stretching across Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo) Zla “Evil” Kolata lived entirely up to its foreboding names. It wasn’t because I took a wrong step onto a slick wet rock, slipped, fell and drew some blood from my shin</span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">scraped </span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">my hands. It wasn’t because of an arduously long day climbing 4,833’ in elevation covering 12 miles over the course of 11 hours. And it wasn’t because of the rocky terrain with very few clear trail markings or the steep snow covered slopes with many exposed sections where falling would be ...”bad.” Normally we would have enjoyed all of this (except for the falling part) in the course of a challenging adventure. But in our case the “accursed” and “evil” mountain was fitting due to the </span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">simple </span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">fact</span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">that it rained on us ALL DAY! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdw1wF4OsP07D0ylTtnu_hweyNLslWER5zu8xAt0OB4jPTf_7NVy8afc75s-F5AJ3GO1jeeepxzCJdlMQsCz5goufCKr2tPzTkHEk1RUU0YQfdX9MSs4EQ357lCjCiLjLiRiRQKoLIUAY/s1600/B5744BE2-F698-497A-BF72-4B182E642AB5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdw1wF4OsP07D0ylTtnu_hweyNLslWER5zu8xAt0OB4jPTf_7NVy8afc75s-F5AJ3GO1jeeepxzCJdlMQsCz5goufCKr2tPzTkHEk1RUU0YQfdX9MSs4EQ357lCjCiLjLiRiRQKoLIUAY/s320/B5744BE2-F698-497A-BF72-4B182E642AB5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We started hiking early at 6:15 hoping to get at least a bit of dry weather ahead of the forecasted showers, but we only had 15 minutes before the first raindrops arrived and they became increasingly more intense until we were thoroughly soaked. Even our boots couldn’t repel the </span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">continuous</span><span data-tt="{}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> onslaught of water. </span><br />
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<span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It was a stark contrast to the <a href="http://fejteksevensummits.blogspot.com/2019/05/beautiful-bosnia.html" target="_blank">Beautiful Bosnia</a> weather we enjoyed a few days earlier climbing Maglić. Another difference here in Montenegro was having a “true” mountain guide with us, which eliminated the need to constantly be checking our GPS track in the wet and cloudy weather and wondering if we were going the right way. Instead we simply followed Binak, an incredibly kind man who lived in the tiny village of Vusanje a few houses away from the quaint lodge where we were staying. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmDQ_LhW1v_gWxaKcgNCzDcLyICrb6SKPGBuEwfO6N-GBzv23HCExSPy0CRnthzYecCLkQZ7NJcZ4vc94eOJKCkJD-qpW_TVnoygacnfcTAFgz3aEP-fugf7ED8MOgB_ixlzWsLjcV-c/s1600/F2884DD5-D9A3-44A1-883C-D889DF49A44D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmDQ_LhW1v_gWxaKcgNCzDcLyICrb6SKPGBuEwfO6N-GBzv23HCExSPy0CRnthzYecCLkQZ7NJcZ4vc94eOJKCkJD-qpW_TVnoygacnfcTAFgz3aEP-fugf7ED8MOgB_ixlzWsLjcV-c/s320/F2884DD5-D9A3-44A1-883C-D889DF49A44D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">With Helga on the back porch of our lodge, the Moonlight House the day before our climb (while the weather was still nice).</span></td></tr>
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<span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Another nice treat was to be accompanied by our good friend Helga Hengge who flew in from Munich to join us for this part of our Balkan journey. Helga is the first German woman to summit Mt. Everest and we had the pleasure to first meet her in 2009 in Antarctica while climbing the Vinson Massif. Helga also joined us last year in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco for our Jbel Toubkal adventure for those who may recall reading some of those blog posts. Helga frequently speaks to large corporate clients like BMW, Airbus, Siemens, etc. and as luck would have it she was able to squeeze in a few days to join us right in the middle of two of her previously scheduled talks. </span><br />
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<span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As the wind picked up chilling our rain drenched bodies, and as the cold wet snow we were hiking through made our wet feet feel numb, I asked Helga if this might be the point when she was regretting her decision to fly to Montenegro for three days for this type of punishment!
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<span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">She laughed and reminded me that this wasn’t nearly as cold as Antarctica! After nearly six hours we reached a saddle and briefly crossed into Albania in order to reach the summit ridge. Within 30 minutes or so we were standing on the 8,317 foot summit of the “Evil Mountain” Zla Kolata (aka Kolatta e Keqe in Albanian). The views from the top in the midst of the rain storm were ...less than stunning. But we made it to the summit and it was particularly meaningful (and completely unplanned) that on this same day May 27th in 1999 Helga stood on the top of Mt. Everest! We wished her a happy 20-year “summit anniversary” and promptly began our 4,800 foot descent towards a warm, dry lodge and a hot meal waiting for us back down in Vusanje at the Moonlight House! </span><br />
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<span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite the ominous sounding names Prokletije National Park is an incredible place to visit and still relatively undiscovered (it only became a national park in 2009). We didn't see any other people at all on the trail all day, and even in the height of the summer season, we understand that not many people come here. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit of Zla Kolata: Highest Peak in Montenegro</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the Moonlight House with Binak, Helga and on the right Lilly, who manages the lodge with her family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9z2oDz41dtVLpUPbII6EhP0aD2SOaQ_rhUm939H6Sg19MRWmxJ4Zg6xmaxZeoN0zO0hV_r-HNAG8hvxQH4-uvQPOpIKw1pAqtg3p00JqA_me_LyhdPK8ry0z3bt_eVufx2qW7B6aRDA/s1600/5D465DA5-FD85-450E-A302-4C5D509FBCD0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9z2oDz41dtVLpUPbII6EhP0aD2SOaQ_rhUm939H6Sg19MRWmxJ4Zg6xmaxZeoN0zO0hV_r-HNAG8hvxQH4-uvQPOpIKw1pAqtg3p00JqA_me_LyhdPK8ry0z3bt_eVufx2qW7B6aRDA/s320/5D465DA5-FD85-450E-A302-4C5D509FBCD0.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sveti Stefan and the Aman Hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kotor, Montenegro hiking the city wall to the fortress above the bay</td></tr>
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pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-91325735190869878992019-05-27T14:24:00.000-07:002019-05-27T14:24:52.341-07:00Beautiful Bosnia<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Every mountain we climb has a story, this one began with Sergei the Bosnian-speaking National Park guide saying “the mountain is not safe to climb right now.” </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The translations continued with “...the cables (meaning via ferrata-type hand rails for safety) are buried under the snow and I will go with you to the cables but I won’t risk my life so I won’t go any higher.” </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maglić is the highest mountain in Bosnia & Herzegovina at 7,828 feet and she sits on the border with Montenegro to the east within the scenic Sutjeska National Park. We knew climbing it in May would involve steep snow slopes and we came prepared with crampons and gear to give us the best chance to reach the summit, which was after all one of our main reasons for visiting this country in the first place. Arranging for a guide many weeks in advance was another measure we took so we could have somebody to help with route-finding and to generally increase our safety and chances for success. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So when we heard Sergei say the mountain isn’t safe and he didn’t want to go, we had a decision to make. It was a fairly quick and easy one for us actually, especially after learning that this man (despite his strong, rugged and hardened-looking appearance) was actually a “tourist park ranger” and not a true mountain guide. Through our translator friend at the hotel, we thanked Sergei for his time and told him we had climbing experience and that we would head up Maglić on our own. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fortunately back at home before the trip I had downloaded detailed </span><span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">topo and satellite maps of the mountain and the climbing routes. With</span><span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> my new Gaia </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">GPS app on my phone, we successfully navigated 12 miles of dirt roads, found the correct trailhead and from there the two of us headed on foot towards the snowy flanks of Maglić! </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The weather was perfect, clear blue skies, sunshine, pleasant 40 - 50 degree temps and no wind. We were quite fortunate to have clear skies in order to find the route visually from afar rather than rely solely on maps and GPS. This was particularly true when trying to navigate </span><span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">our way up the imposing rock fortress like wall of more than 1,000 </span><span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">feet. We needed to get up this somehow in order reach the ridge, and I </span><span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">knew there was a way, but without a guide it would be much more challenging. Luckily we ran into a group of climbers from Macedonia and Serbia who had a guide familiar with the way up to the ridge. We chatted for a bit, he pointed out the way and then we went ahead since they were a large group so we were able to move faster with </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">just the two of us. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As we climbed higher we reached the point where our would-be guide</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Sergei was talking about with the cables being buried under the snow. </span><span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We clearly understood the reason for bolting the cables in that</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">particular spot. ...there was a seriously steep slope where a slip would result in plunge over a cliff of several hundred feet down to the rocks below. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After studying our options we decided that the safest way across was climbing on the rocks above the slope to get as far as we could and then wedging ourselves into the bergshrund to traverse the rest of the distance.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We repeated this process again for several other similar crossings and did some straightforward climbing up over rock and snow until we reached the top of the ridge.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After four hours and over </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2,500 vertical feet we reached the summit and were standing on the highest point in the country of Bosnia & Herzegovina!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stark Most: Old Bridge in Mostar destroyed in 1990’s civil war and later rebuilt. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blagaj Tekija: 15th Century Dervish Monastery</td></tr>
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pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-29377442271707140852018-11-14T03:56:00.000-08:002018-11-14T03:56:11.408-08:00Crazy Cambodian Climb<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Phnom Aural is the highest mountain in Cambodia that very few people ever visit or climb because it is extremely remote and involves difficult logistics and a trek through the jungle to simply get to the base. It's also not very high at only 5,948 feet so reaching the summit almost seemed like an unworthy challenge. ...until Denise pulled off the second blood sucking leech attached to her leg! This was after starting the first day at 4:30 AM wearing clothes and a backpack that were dripping wet from a large puddle that formed inside our tent from an unexpected overnight rainstorm. Despite the leeches, wet clothes, mud, heat and humidity, we were actually having loads of fun the majority of the time and appreciating the lush beautiful scenery and the means by which we were transported to this isolated corner of the world. Due to the severely rutted and otherwise impassable dirt "roads", we arrived at the foot of the mountain by way of two separate tractor rides, one from a local rice farmer and the other from a logger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Another good reason for our good humor in the midst of the adverse conditions was our guide Phanina. We were extremely lucky to find him and when we first met at the bus station in Phnom Penh, his warm welcoming smile and giddy enthusiasm convinced us we were in good company.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">It's not often he gets to guide clients up this mountain due to lack of interest, so he considered it a privilege and genuinely seemed excited to be on this adventure with us. Aside from a few blog posts, there is very little information </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 20.3px;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">online about climbing this mountain so if you happen to be interested please feel free to contact Phanina directly, his email is kimphanina@gmail.com or call him on Skype at kimphanina.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">His English is excellent and he is also a knowledgeable professional guide for the more typical tourist sites like the Killing Fields and Cambodia's crown jewel - Angkor Wat.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Back to the mountain; although there are absolutely no trail signs whatsoever, after wading across several small rivers and pushing through the jungle we reached the "trailhead" at an altitude of less than 700 feet above sea level. We spent about 3 1/2 hours climbing up to a high camp at approx. 3,795 feet. There were a few steep sections where Phanina's friend had previously attached some ropes on a prior trip, and luckily we didn't encounter any more rain of significance to make the slopes and tree roots underfoot any more slippery and dangerous. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Once at camp we had a rest and some lunch, set up our tent, re-filled our water bottles and continued on to the summit. Unlike most peaks we have climbed where we are well above the tree line, in this case we were within the heavy tropical vegetation so there wasn't much of a view from the top. ...but there was a small pagoda and statue of Buddha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">We paid our respects, took photos and were back down to our high camp in 3 1/2 hours where we ate some hot onion and vegetable soup and went to sleep. During the </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">trek back down the next morning we were treated by the sounds of birds and cicadas and the eerie sound of Great Hornbills flying overhead. It became quite hot near the base of the mountain when we were no longer shaded by the jungle canopy but a dip in the river cooled us off and it was a perfect conclusion to a Crazy Cambodian Climb! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">No trip to Cambodia can be considered complete until visiting the temples of Angkor Thom in Siem Reap. The most famous of which is Angkor Wat, the largest religious building in the world. And of course the tree roots overgrowing the temple Ta-Prohm best known as the location for the 2001 Angelina Jolie film Tomb Raider. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Thanks for reading and signing off from Siem Reap. Until the next Summit for CAF adventure...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">-Paul & Denise</span></div>
pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-44597731947562697942018-11-05T03:39:00.001-08:002018-11-05T03:39:37.575-08:00GOOD MORNING VIETNAM!<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Xin Chào from Hanoi! At 10,312' Fansipan is the highest mountain in Vietnam and also the highest on the Indochinese Peninsula. In addition to wanting to see the beauty of Vietnam up close (and get a good bowl of Pho) we decided to come here to climb it! The hike was about 5,400' vertical from the trailhead and took us two days with an overnight camp. We woke up early Saturday and left our hut at 4:15 AM in order to reach the summit to view a stunning sunrise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Two years ago the government of Vietnam invested $2 Billion to build the world's longest three-rope cable car and an enormous complex on top of the peak, complete with elaborate temples and a 71 foot tall statue of Buddha.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Although the tram would have been a much faster and easier way to get to the top, we enjoyed the challenge of the trek up but decided to save our knees some punishment and opted for the luxurious cable car ride back down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">After reaching the town of Sa Pa we made our way back to Hanoi to meet our friends Bryce and Camille and then continued to the coast to board an overnight cruise on a junk in the famous Halong Bay. We lucked out with a fun, international group of Brazilians, Argentinians, and two Bulgarians. We kayaked together, swam, hiked, explored caves, enjoyed cocktail hour, great food and even Tai Chi exercises this morning on the top deck of our boat. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: '.sfuitext'; font-size: 17pt;">A Good Morning in Vietnam has turned into several great days and more ahead! RIP Robin Williams, thank you for all the laughs and especially your many years of enthusiastic support of the Challenged Athletes Foundation!</span>pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-70299024540150693742018-08-15T10:41:00.000-07:002018-08-15T10:41:58.022-07:00Brazilian Biker Wins Hearts ...and a Buckle<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">2,256 miles driven through 6 states
during 13 memorable days, with 289 miles of mountain biking, 2 Colorado 14,000'
peaks, and 1 belt buckle.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9L1b7nJOY1_GV4Z8W9n2qwbaINqp14I2HT_qiwzOYanJzDHhmGqLR6cBPrysHfA3s1qnQ5_kGDjCktH1VMTmb66GdWzBN5T2RXMjxEY_sfLPDOwlQ1_gey-4teBrtC7opNIBGKos6Tw/s1600/P%2526D+w+Thiago+finish+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9L1b7nJOY1_GV4Z8W9n2qwbaINqp14I2HT_qiwzOYanJzDHhmGqLR6cBPrysHfA3s1qnQ5_kGDjCktH1VMTmb66GdWzBN5T2RXMjxEY_sfLPDOwlQ1_gey-4teBrtC7opNIBGKos6Tw/s320/P%2526D+w+Thiago+finish+banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">These are merely the stats of a
journey that cannot be quantified in terms of pure joy, inspiration, and
countless smiles created across two continents. This journey began for Thiago
Ribeiro in Brazil but concluded for me with a bond of friendship and shared purpose
that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. Thanks to the Brachial Plexus Nerve
Injury support group <a href="http://ubpn.org/" target="_blank">UBPN</a>, Thiago reached out to me online five years ago to
share his story about his brachial plexus injury (BPI) that was sustained at
birth to his right arm, just like mine. That single message set into motion a
series of events that changed both of our lives. We compared notes (all via FB
messenger) about our childhood, the fact we both played drums and loved riding
bikes, and that until adulthood neither of us ever talked about our injury. We
always tried to hide our arm in public, keeping it in a pocket or behind our
back so our difference and perceived deficiency compared to others wouldn't be
exposed.</span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fast forward to Saturday Aug. 11,
2018, Thiago Ribeiro exposed to the world what he's really made of, and crossed
the finish line of the toughest single-day bike race in North America - the
Leadville 100. Starting at an elevation of over 10,000' and climbing over
12,000' throughout the course winding through the Colorado Rockies, Thiago
finished 298th out of 1,535 racers. Due to race rules he had to start at the
back of the crowd but managed to pass and finish ahead of more than 80% of the
tough abled-bodied competitors. Riding a wheelie across the finish line at an
impressive time of 9 hours and 17 mins, Thiago was awarded the coveted
Leadville 100 MTB belt buckle for simply finishing the race in under 12 hours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I have both Thiago and
"One-Arm Willie" Stewart to thank for helping me with my own bike handlebar modifications and for providing the motivation so that I was able to earn the same belt buckle myself three years ago. <i>(See <a href="http://fejteksevensummits.blogspot.com/2015/07/brake-through-mountain-bike.html" target="_blank">"Brake"-through Mountain Bike Modifications</a> post & video). </i>Most
importantly it was all thanks to the <a href="https://www.challengedathletes.org/" target="_blank">Challenged Athletes Foundation</a> for
providing Thiago a grant to travel from Brazil, an entry spot into the race,
and amazing support along the way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In keeping with the theme of this
blog, while Thiago was climbing towards his summit, Denise and I carried the
CAF banner to the summit of two of Colorado's 14,000' peaks: Mt. Sherman at
14,036' and Mt. Massive at 14,421' (the 3rd highest peak in the contiguous
United States).</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr3P4A8xW_7zuYJ_8nZakjY74OODWU-5T_J8iLGwNNLejwA0s-zasb3TGuIzLUAC068D8nN9Rp-9yb7NIcrfBwteuU9xIbF0mPTF3-AR8_JvEYJcJTuXJNfvi9vR8S5ntozL-KnK0HQ0/s1600/Mt+Sherman+Summit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr3P4A8xW_7zuYJ_8nZakjY74OODWU-5T_J8iLGwNNLejwA0s-zasb3TGuIzLUAC068D8nN9Rp-9yb7NIcrfBwteuU9xIbF0mPTF3-AR8_JvEYJcJTuXJNfvi9vR8S5ntozL-KnK0HQ0/s200/Mt+Sherman+Summit.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfgr7j_sEaeeiPpQTKXBlI-Fj1Au0__vIXfIpLz-fAGs-WSO-s-nUNRhYELZRfbckHX7osA9OEVaoC4XonMni639upuYGSTgfC_o34I9e2vg9ji-Jdhet4Vw2r_LGJmAw8tP8gh50GHg/s1600/Mt+Massive+Summit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfgr7j_sEaeeiPpQTKXBlI-Fj1Au0__vIXfIpLz-fAGs-WSO-s-nUNRhYELZRfbckHX7osA9OEVaoC4XonMni639upuYGSTgfC_o34I9e2vg9ji-Jdhet4Vw2r_LGJmAw8tP8gh50GHg/s200/Mt+Massive+Summit.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thiago would have joined us but he had to attend a mandatory
athlete pre-race meeting one of the days and for the second peak his legs,
lungs and liver were in recovery mode after the race and post-race celebration
party.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thiago and his bike (and his shiny
new belt buckle) are now all safely back home in Brazil, but he will remain in
our thoughts and in our hearts until we meet again! Keep riding and making a
difference my BPI Brother!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JEuEgXkf-S7bVUof5XNSld8gmsL6zWX0aQy3cBftkl5HHRBmfnxKAwV7u6BIQUV5-ptMIO0520Zhy1T20kQBj4-cQjmMcS3WnbHUUkSQwOZcuPcDhP4qYIvfvUpAC5TPnFeRsP5PGNA/s1600/Thiago+w+hat+%2526+buckle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="593" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JEuEgXkf-S7bVUof5XNSld8gmsL6zWX0aQy3cBftkl5HHRBmfnxKAwV7u6BIQUV5-ptMIO0520Zhy1T20kQBj4-cQjmMcS3WnbHUUkSQwOZcuPcDhP4qYIvfvUpAC5TPnFeRsP5PGNA/s320/Thiago+w+hat+%2526+buckle.png" width="239" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-62913337367616157552018-05-30T12:28:00.000-07:002018-05-30T12:28:43.884-07:00Magical Adventure in Morocco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgDZtUfw94UcHSxHKV26r6ZkzpG_u95fhyphenhyphen33euStmVoSHSTwGqQ2exPhX5bYpXKY6P2biI0m2qF-0CVPLNyMG1JRpoxsygtO14K8KbfCFcE8tFPzGlxBSA6RhMXH1-IjOpbuPhJLYxvU/s1600/P1100375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgDZtUfw94UcHSxHKV26r6ZkzpG_u95fhyphenhyphen33euStmVoSHSTwGqQ2exPhX5bYpXKY6P2biI0m2qF-0CVPLNyMG1JRpoxsygtO14K8KbfCFcE8tFPzGlxBSA6RhMXH1-IjOpbuPhJLYxvU/s320/P1100375.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">After our "Top to Bottom" tour of Jordan, we headed west to a country that we have wanted to visit for years - Morocco!</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">We arrived in Marrakesh on May 23rd and have spent the past week enchanted by the Arab and Berber people and their exotic kingdom.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">The main square of Marrakesh is called Jemaa el Fna and is a circus-like atmosphere complete with snake charmers, acrobats, storytellers and a large souk similar to what we experienced a few years ago in Istanbul at the Grand Bazaar.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">After 2 1/2 days exploring the city and sampling the Moroccan cuisine, we headed south towards the High Atlas Mountains and our objective, the 13,671 foot Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak in Morocco as well as the highest in North Africa. </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">We met our guides Mohammed and Omar in the tiny village of Aguersioual and began our trek at 5,280 feet. After 7 1/2 </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">hours taking in the sights and mountain villages along the trail, we reached the refuge beyond Tizi Oussem at 7,425' and spent the night. </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Early the next morning we were treated to views of several beautiful waterfalls and later tormented by 99 switchbacks painstakingly taking us up to the Tizi Aguelzim Pass at 12,045 feet.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">It was here where we caught our first glimpse of Jbel Toubkal and then began our descent into the valley down to ~10,500 feet.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">We arrived at our campsite near the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Toubkal Refuge approx. 9 1/2 hours after our trek for the day began and just as the afternoon clouds arrived as well.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">At 3:30 AM on day three of our trek, our alarm woke us signaling the start of a long and taxing day.</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Along with our headlamps the stars and moon illuminated our route. </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">A cool breeze motivated us to keep moving upwards toward the point where the rays of the sun finally reached us and began to warm our chilled bodies. </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">We eventually reached the summit of Jbel Toubkal just after 9:15 AM on Memorial Day in the U.S. Mon. May 28th. We proudly raised our Challenged Athletes Foundation banner after high fives all around with our team for a successful summit of the highest peak in Morocco! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">The hike back down to basecamp and eventually to the village of Imlil totaled a bone jarring and muscle numbing vertical descent of over 8,000 feet.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">By the time we reached our hotel for the night we had been on the move for more than 15 hours and were ready for a long overdue shower and a return to sleeping in a bed.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">As tired and depleted as we felt, it made us appreciate the strength and fortitude of our guides Mohammed and Omar who were fasting from sunrise to sunset the entire trip as Ramadan continues.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Yet again traveling to a new country as unique as Morocco and experiencing this adventure has broadened our horizons and reinforced our gratitude for our freedom and ability to explore mountains around the world to support the mission of CAF. </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"></span></div>
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pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-75826445247911821982018-05-23T16:24:00.000-07:002018-05-23T16:24:14.075-07:00Jordan - From the Top to the Bottom<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.sf ui text'; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Checking in from Amman with a report on our past week of exploring the fascinating landscape of Jordan. We reached the highest point in the country, the 6,083' summit of Jamal Umm ad Dami near the northern border of Saudi Arabia, and also visited the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea. In between has been an absolutely incredible tour of the entire length of Jordan hitting the ancient city of Petra, the adrenaline inducing gorge of Wadi Mujib, the Martian-like desert of Wadi Rum, and all the way south to the city of Aqaba to swim in the Red Sea. And all of this was during Ramadan, as the month-long Muslim ritual of fasting from sunrise to sunset began the day before we arrived in Jordan. Suffice it to say we did not participate in this tradition but it made for an interesting cultural experience, particularly as our guides, drivers, and the vast majority of this Middle Eastern population did not eat or take a sip of water all day in the hot sun with daytime temperatures never dropping below 90 degrees F. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: '.sfuitext';">Extreme buoyancy floating in the salt and mineral dense water of the Dead Sea. At 1,385 feet BELOW sea level the increased atmospheric pressure is like have an extra 15% oxygen with every breath. Less than 10 miles across the water is the West Bank of Israel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Venturing upstream into the deep gorge of Wadi Mujib was a spectacular geological sight wrapped into a fun and exciting experience unlike anything we have ever done before.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"> </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">We spent 2 1/2 hours trekking, climbing over boulders and up waterfalls,</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"> swimming against swift river currents and pulling our body weight with the aid of ropes.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"> </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">We were rewarded with a massaging shower under a beautiful waterfall and a</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"> return journey back downstream floating and even launching ourselves off the end of a smoothed natural rock slide into a cool deep pool. </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">To fully appreciate Jordan you MUST partake in this Wadi Mujib adventure. Thank you to John Parmentier for adding this to our itinerary and especially for inviting us to join you in Jordan in the first place and extending to us the immense hospitality of Aram Rabadi and his family to stay in their home and get a full immersion into Jordanian life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">The ancient and once lost civilization of Petra was the main allure of visiting Jordan, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">and it did not disappoint. Carved into the side of a massive sandstone rock wall, the tomb known as the "Treasury" was a jaw dropping sight to behold. Most recognize it </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">from the Indiana Jones movie "Last Crusade" and the three of us even rode out by horseback emulating Harrison Ford! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: '.sfuitext';">From Petra we continued south and east into the unique red desert of Wadi Rum. More than 12 popular movies have been filmed here including the classic 1962 award winner "Lawrence of Arabia", and the more recent Mars movies including the 2015 blockbuster "The Martian" starring Matt Damon. Both of these were shot almost </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: '.sfuitext';">We arrived in our Bedouin camp just in time to witness a breathtaking sunset over the "Martian" landscape and were then treated to a traditional Bedouin feast of lamb and other meats cooked underground to a tender and tasty perfection. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">The fuel and rest were definitely needed for our adventures that began early the following morning. There was a small mix up between our van driver Mahmoud and our climbing guide Abdullah that necessitated taking the van a short distance across the desert. The moment we began sliding and sinking in the soft sand, we knew we were entering a situation in which a phone call to AAA could not possibly resolve. John, Denise and I began digging and pushing in the hot morning sun while our calorie-starved fasting Mahmoud hopelessly spun the wheels in the sand only to submerge our van even deeper. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">We toiled away at this for about 45 mins until Abdullah finally showed up in his 4X4 Landcruiser.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"> </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">The start of our intended adventure to climb the highest mountain in Jordan, was now well behind schedule and the blazing heat of the sun was quickly intensifying.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"> </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">An hour drive across the desert without a single sole in sight, along with a few unnervingly similar episodes of our 4X4 getting temporarily stuck, finally brought us at 10 AM to the base of our objective: Jabal Umm ad Dami, the highest mountain in Jordan. </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Other than the heat, the climb itself was not difficult, involving some scrambling/bouldering but no need for ropes. Having Abdullah along to show us the route was extremely valuable, but half way up he announced he would go no farther. Because of Ramadan he was fasting and had not drank one sip of water all day in the punishing heat approaching 100 degrees F. He pointed us towards the summit and attempted to explain the direction of the route. Abdullah was bound for some rest in the sparse shade of a large rock, and we were bound for the top! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">We were thankful for the ability to stay hydrated and on trail to eventually reach the summit by mid-day. The views from the top and into the Saudi Arabian desert were fantastic and yet so foreign to us compared to the snow and ice capped peaks we are more accustomed to climbing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">We retraced our steps back down the mountain and across the Martian landscape to rejoin Mahmoud and our van (now freed from its sandy trap). At this point we changed our plans and opted to make a shorter drive to spend the night in the seaport city of Aqaba. After a long and hot day in Wadi Rum, the allure of a swim in the Red Sea was too tempting to pass up. It was well worth it and much to our surprise the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba were significantly cooler than our dip in the Dead Sea two days prior. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: '.sfuitext';">All in all we cannot say enough positive things about our time in Jordan and the good people who were kind enough to show us their beautiful country. </span></div>
pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-87539816873311920252017-11-09T00:33:00.000-08:002017-11-09T02:04:53.854-08:00Part II - Scott Fischer's Ice Axe Lives to Climb Again!<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">The rest of the story... As told from Hong Kong during a few days layover to visit Disneyland and to hike Tai Mo Shan (Hong Kong's underwhelming high point at 3,140 feet).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">...back to Nepal at over 20,000 feet on our summit day Nov. 3rd. Garrett Madison's dispatch referenced in our last post explained many of the details of our big day on Tharke Khang, so without repeating his excellent summary, here's what else happened from our perspective. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">The entire team had been pushing hard and ascending more rapidly than scheduled in the days leading up to our summit day. This was in part because we were feeling strong, and mostly due to the helicopter transporting us over the Ngozumba Glacier and icefall directly to ABC at 19,000 feet, gaining 2,500 feet in a matter of minutes. Nonetheless we had a good weather window to go for the summit so we all rallied and sucked it up, both figuratively and literally considering the limited oxygen in the air at this altitude. As an aside, this shorter than ideal acclimatization period makes the success of those who reached the summit even more impressive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">Denise was feeling much less energetic than usual when we left camp shortly after 2 AM. But with some positive spousal encouragement and the help of only mild winds and illumination from the moon, we slowly and steadily climbed the steep wall up to the corniced ridgeline at just over 20,000 feet. It was at this point where Denise decided she didn't have enough gas in the tank to safely navigate up and down the rest of the treacherous ridgeline ahead. As much as I hated doing so, I gave her a kiss goodbye and watched her as she clipped her figure 8 onto the rope and began her rappel back down. Sid was waiting for me on top of the ridgeline and as soon as I climbed up over the lip, we both watched carefully to make sure she descended safely. We then continued on and quickly caught up to the others. It was at this point when Phil decided his risk meter was nearing its limits, so he turned back as well. Again Sid and I stopped and waited to watch from this last vantage point to make sure he also descended safely. Then it happened. I believe my words were "HOLY SHIT!" Phil just slipped and fell! I wouldn't have predicted this event as Phil seemed to be a very skilled and experienced climber. Sid and I watched helplessly as he began sliding down the extremely steep and sustained headwall slope that we spent all morning climbing up (well over 1,000 vertical feet). The chances of surviving an unprotected fall from here were slim. Fortunately Phil was properly clipped into the safety line and it held his weight when the full force of his body tugged on the rope. Disaster averted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">Sid and I refocused our attention on the steep slopes above us and the vertical wall that would soon become my nemesis. I'll spare the technical discussion why a safety line should be rigged slightly longer than an asce</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">nder leash (something I should have paid more attention to earlier) suffice it to say I got hung up on the overhanging section of the wall as I tried to climb up. It required Sid's expert guiding skills to extract me from my predicament - thank you again Sid. Once the pressure was relieved from my carabiner I was ready to go! Unfortunately at that point so was Sid. He made a comment about </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">some adage in mountain guiding that you're allowed one "F-up" but not two. We already had our close call with Phil, so as far as Sid was concerned it was time to go back down and quit while we were still ahead. Despite my strong desire to continue on and achieve a f</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">irst ascent with Garrett and the others, I respected Sid's professional call to turn around. After all that's why we hire experienced professional guides who can make difficult decisions like this and help keep us safe. Of course guides are human and capable of mistakes as we all know, but far better to be conservative when lives are at stake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">It was not lost on me that in my hand was Scott Fischer's ice axe, a constant reminder that things don't always go as we hope or plan in the mountains (or in life) but that's exactly what makes for a great adventure!!!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View from slopes of Tharke Khang at well over 20,000 feet.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dc7pA9XsQSm_zlRAsd5AT_SthbM3SOzz85jkHka3EwEghRW4K5wKGNdheHtKrVdpV5kUGfGAgnPT2iWClT17CGe_ov_mKlpnlRFIWL0-YzWoCAqtH59OfMZBsezGlbDO56L6LN5dQwQ/s1600/P1090726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dc7pA9XsQSm_zlRAsd5AT_SthbM3SOzz85jkHka3EwEghRW4K5wKGNdheHtKrVdpV5kUGfGAgnPT2iWClT17CGe_ov_mKlpnlRFIWL0-YzWoCAqtH59OfMZBsezGlbDO56L6LN5dQwQ/s400/P1090726.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Steep descent from where we watched Phil slip below.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAHbSt-8_EHifDx1b4YX22_N_OaolJfKTSjYT13OnFd14TTi03KaQ2lObc6jcT6r6IXdtrE7dprnyAvk1QmQMdBTpZitiA2NVxqPNE8yMtBBjA1IxdFNHtzdn59Sxn2b-Euo5iz1m1J0/s1600/P1090728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAHbSt-8_EHifDx1b4YX22_N_OaolJfKTSjYT13OnFd14TTi03KaQ2lObc6jcT6r6IXdtrE7dprnyAvk1QmQMdBTpZitiA2NVxqPNE8yMtBBjA1IxdFNHtzdn59Sxn2b-Euo5iz1m1J0/s400/P1090728.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nemesis turnaround point ahead.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNciEQXFBhZRoiVbDllcfV-1czEzZbR0zpvhtzsqSNG4eRD_hjtxO5qvIAudKoCdEVeEuizmVm6dezWmwZJ0vbMAftSvAyQsRRvL_Va5w8FdZSrG4yZwe4qTmYq7E63sojDADsJyoxyAc/s1600/P1090804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNciEQXFBhZRoiVbDllcfV-1czEzZbR0zpvhtzsqSNG4eRD_hjtxO5qvIAudKoCdEVeEuizmVm6dezWmwZJ0vbMAftSvAyQsRRvL_Va5w8FdZSrG4yZwe4qTmYq7E63sojDADsJyoxyAc/s400/P1090804.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Visiting the Himalayan English Boarding School in Lukla, funded in small part by the donation</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">made for Scott Fischer's ice axe in the auction. </span></td></tr>
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pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-77639161182044144902017-11-05T04:20:00.000-08:002017-11-05T04:20:54.422-08:00Scott Fischer's Ice Axe Lives to Climb Again!<div>
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href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>We are thrilled to report that a successful first ascent of the unclimbed "Secret Mountain" Tharke Khang has been achieved! Sadly we were not among the three Westerners to stand on the top out of the total nine clients and guides on our team, but we are elated to be a part of the remarkable effort to reach the objective and climb where no humans have ever gone before. We hope Scott Fischer wouldn't be too disappointed that we were unable to get his ice axe to the summit, but I'm sure he would appreciate we all got down safely. A special thanks to our friends Aang Phurba Sherpa, Lakpa Dandi Sherpa, Tashi Sherpa, and Pasang Dawa Sherpa for your hard work and helping to keep all of us safe on a difficult, demanding and extremely treacherous peak. We knew very little about this mountain before setting foot on its flanks, and without your machine-like efforts, this pioneering feat could not be attained. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpx6MFme4b2Mzrw9q0qqokWSuc3BfAHD4v_nkuoYCMSug0mKaYUv94seau9ivkeSlq8YoxZvW4kcA7f2jyeT0_GVANl41OGIfjlhmFBVAL_74MFXcK7FTLJ-uLFjh3xl_kG8CJliwY8bY/s1600/PF+Tharke+Khang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpx6MFme4b2Mzrw9q0qqokWSuc3BfAHD4v_nkuoYCMSug0mKaYUv94seau9ivkeSlq8YoxZvW4kcA7f2jyeT0_GVANl41OGIfjlhmFBVAL_74MFXcK7FTLJ-uLFjh3xl_kG8CJliwY8bY/s400/PF+Tharke+Khang.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South side (Nepal) view of Tharke Khang from our Puja stupa at Base Camp at 16,500 feet </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_XdPVz4HT41UKQ8cuHQfQocPCP2w6lnRGiG0e6U_GLwLgJ1JoKjTweZvL1XMHwcahD4p5_rWu0zlvrBs1ICvoPjrs7rbffyC5WmmevjeHMTnKwAL7TS8OyKPJJPq1pe1XQ7wOq5Wycw/s1600/PF+tk3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_XdPVz4HT41UKQ8cuHQfQocPCP2w6lnRGiG0e6U_GLwLgJ1JoKjTweZvL1XMHwcahD4p5_rWu0zlvrBs1ICvoPjrs7rbffyC5WmmevjeHMTnKwAL7TS8OyKPJJPq1pe1XQ7wOq5Wycw/s400/PF+tk3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extreme steep from high on the Tharke Khang ridgeline Nov. 3, 2017<br />
Notice tiny dot (Dave Landman) below</td></tr>
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We are proud of the decisions made high up on the mountain that lead all of us to safely return to tell the tales. Garrett Madison did an excellent job recounting the details of our summit day that began at 2:00 AM on Friday Nov. 3rd, coincidentally Garrett's birthday. I highly encourage you to read his Madison Mountaineering dispatch and see the photos to more fully appreciate what took place and what was accomplished:</div>
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<a href="http://madisonmountaineering.com/team-summits-unclimbed-peak/">http://madisonmountaineering.com/team-summits-unclimbed-peak/</a></div>
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Happy Birthday once again GM, we can't imagine a better gift for such a strong and selfless professional guide than your very own first, First Ascent on your birthday. You will not read this in Garrett's dispatch because of his humble nature, but Garrett previously decided when we were at base camp on Wednesday to defer leading the final stages of the climb to our two other Western guides, giving them the opportunity to claim the first ascent accolade. For a professional mountain guide the accomplishment is the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award or perhaps a Presidential Medal of Honor. When we heard of Garrett's decision to put all self-interest aside and defer the opportunity, we were stunned. After much debate among the team we were able to persuade Garrett to come along as previously planned. We're glad we spoke up and the decision was made, and I'm sure that now in retrospect the GM is pleased too. </div>
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Among many life lessons we have learned on this amazing adventure here in Nepal, the Buddhist doctrine of Karma is a powerful force. Thank you Garrett for demonstrating to all of us through your actions how good karma really works.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFAmX5zm39GIW1wKod15Qpy0FTPq5ppMOjMnWRse1htx4yzeYUrmceXp2ZbyEUKsrTygZ63jUfLkxSIJYWqKFZysAla1hzeL7QRe_VVEZUzgG3vicp6rEVlAi9wlQgOvAAzPsvrXiJHs/s1600/P1090722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFAmX5zm39GIW1wKod15Qpy0FTPq5ppMOjMnWRse1htx4yzeYUrmceXp2ZbyEUKsrTygZ63jUfLkxSIJYWqKFZysAla1hzeL7QRe_VVEZUzgG3vicp6rEVlAi9wlQgOvAAzPsvrXiJHs/s400/P1090722.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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In my next blog post I'll elaborate a bit on difficult decisions made and why we turned around before reaching the summit. But for now we want all of you to know we are safely off the mountain and thanks to the miracle of helicopter transportation, we are already back in Kathmandu and once again enjoying the conveniences outside the expedition tent including fresh food, shower, bed, and an internet connection. ... not to mention the extra oxygen we have been missing out on above 20,000 feet! We also want you to know how much we appreciate all of you for following along on our adventure and for your support and friendship.</div>
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Thank you,</div>
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Paul and Denise Fejtek</div>
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<a href="http://stepstothesummit.com/">http://StepsToTheSummit.com</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North side (China/Tibet) view of headwall from ABC at 19,000 feet<br />
Notice our Sherpa team (three tiny dots)</td></tr>
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pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-46749613290684146862017-10-31T07:17:00.001-07:002017-11-05T04:24:48.401-08:00Halloween Himalayan Style<span style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: small;">Happy Halloween from Tharke Khang Base Camp at 16,500 ft. We have some exciting and spooky things to report from our last 3 days </span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: small;">here. Pioneering a route on a mountain that has never been climbed must truly be the definition of adventure in its purest form. With a clear view of Everest </span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: small;">from our tent right now, we feel the same sense of exhilaration that Mallory and Hillary must have felt in the 20's and 50's respectively. However, we have </span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard;">modernized the approach with the use of a helicopter!</span><br />
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Our Sherpa team spent several days scouting a route by foot thru the massive Ngozumba Glacier but <span style="font-size: small;">reported back by radio that it looked impassible. …and more scary than a haunted house </span><span class="smiley-happy">:-)</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Sid, Phil and I flew by heli to see from above if there was a safe </span>way thru, but the rockfall hazards and icefall looked too dangerous to put lives at risk.</div>
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So, we plan to fly our entire team and gear tomorrow AM (Wed. Nov. <span style="font-size: small;">1st) across the glacier to the foot of the mountain and weather permitting, begin the technical portion of the climb on Thurs. Nepal time. Only satellite </span><span style="font-size: small;">texting is available so no pics or video to share until we get back down. We feel healthy and strong, and with Scott Fischer's ice axe on hand, we are up for </span>this first ascent challenge! Wish us luck! </div>
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Thx, Paul and Denise</div>
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pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339281736081225710.post-24562496264636027012017-10-27T06:10:00.000-07:002017-10-27T06:11:09.954-07:00Secret Mountain Revealed!<div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLHwZGgrJYuIBhdLNiCcjV31zu-e10Tgp0iaiyZsGtTNWS9uRSzZt887PMrFwZY5nSNfnoFNS3LIbWWdTsH1nPj3lJGf-x_W-48LZA9VWUXj-miTZGOGlv5qaR24_x-gzW-4aNGMA3BU/s1600/image1-769955.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLHwZGgrJYuIBhdLNiCcjV31zu-e10Tgp0iaiyZsGtTNWS9uRSzZt887PMrFwZY5nSNfnoFNS3LIbWWdTsH1nPj3lJGf-x_W-48LZA9VWUXj-miTZGOGlv5qaR24_x-gzW-4aNGMA3BU/s320/image1-769955.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6481577539541000450" /></a><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; font-size: 17pt;">Greetings from Gokyo at 15,800 feet perched on the banks of the scenic turquoise Gokyo Lake. We've covered a significant amount of terrain and gained approx. 4,400 feet since our last post from Namche Bazaar on Tues. Oct. 24th. Our Garmin InReach tracking map shows exactly where we have been, stopping overnight in the villages of Khumjung and Machermo: </span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; font-size: 17pt;"><a href="https://share.garmin.com/share/PaulDenise">https://share.garmin.com/share/PaulDenise</a></span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; font-size: 17pt;">For those who have seen the Discovery Channel series "Everest - Beyond the Limits", you may find it of interest that we stayed with Phurba Tashi at his Tashi Friendship Lodge in Khumjung. Seeing Phurba Tashi in his every day family life milking naks (female yaks) and running a small lodge, was in sharp contrast to his role as Russell Brice's lead Sherpa (sirdar) with the responsibility of making life and death decisions high up on Everest - all displayed in dramatic fashion on TV. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEkzz1WopzpWFLRdbU-s3kfvql16-5BMJHU816XPrdIkGqYBvyAueeB03olAst30bkjzfsU1VY-_H4lfasGc3oWOF-hQ5jBGBW1F3O1Yt2AYZO4jr10f7WjfxUvjIez66D7bxmRz21yw/s1600/image2-771273.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEkzz1WopzpWFLRdbU-s3kfvql16-5BMJHU816XPrdIkGqYBvyAueeB03olAst30bkjzfsU1VY-_H4lfasGc3oWOF-hQ5jBGBW1F3O1Yt2AYZO4jr10f7WjfxUvjIez66D7bxmRz21yw/s320/image2-771273.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6481577544415266354" /></a><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p> <p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; font-size: 17pt;">Anyhow back to revealing the name of our "secret mountain". Since we are now within days of hiking to reach the base of the mountain and it seems unlikely anybody else could catch up to us at this point, the name of the unclimbed peak is ...drum roll ...Tharke Khang!</span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p> <p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; font-size: 17pt;">Like nearby Burke Khang and Everest, Tharke Khang is also a border peak straddling both Nepal and China (Tibet). We first set eyes on the mountain two years ago while climbing Burke Khang and it is both majestic, rugged-looking, and high at 6,710 meters or 22,143 feet. It's also extremely remote and difficult to access in part due to the large glacier crossings. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHUxsO56oXFGNG2_mi4cEe1XyRvz2oV-ZIM3ECrH0chGUCwXwzZuWepU3aSwUtLNDGVMTjHduXN5HBTWFauOs_kbQJXez7_Et6-AEhy6Squjt5fZ5cBkcFFICAFqCnf25zR8HhvdGbDk/s1600/image3-771963.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHUxsO56oXFGNG2_mi4cEe1XyRvz2oV-ZIM3ECrH0chGUCwXwzZuWepU3aSwUtLNDGVMTjHduXN5HBTWFauOs_kbQJXez7_Et6-AEhy6Squjt5fZ5cBkcFFICAFqCnf25zR8HhvdGbDk/s320/image3-771963.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6481577546945548146" /></a><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p> <p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; font-size: 17pt;">Last month while still at home we had a bit of a surprise when we learned that Reinhold Messner's son was at the base of Tarke Khang and was preparing to climb it. The Himalayan Times reported the news and we quickly researched and confirmed that despite the similar but different spelling to Tharke Khang, it was in fact a different mountain altogether (also known as Glacier Dome) and is located in the Annapurna Region. Our first ascent attempt was still a go! </span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p> <p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; font-size: 17pt;">This little scare was yet another reason we felt it was best to keep the name a secret. So now you know the rest of the story and are in on our "secret" ...until of course we post this blog report on Facebook. :-)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p> <p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; font-size: 17pt;">Thanks again for following along. Our next stop is base camp. We will continue using the InReach Explorer for map tracking and satellite text messaging but we're not sure about the timing of the next post since all communication is via satellite from here on out. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKRMA8PdOQKHgHlaI-EIEzqUfSKaX3VA_pfDC-bqeL96pMr0m_ayH4pifk9tIDbFnibLhZ0xpR4dbJDWAY7j474UmM5cHFMG0DJOSAQ2mtKM9SK9t99VEaJxcb5OhZtA6G0yP_Sk6cl4/s1600/image4-772710.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKRMA8PdOQKHgHlaI-EIEzqUfSKaX3VA_pfDC-bqeL96pMr0m_ayH4pifk9tIDbFnibLhZ0xpR4dbJDWAY7j474UmM5cHFMG0DJOSAQ2mtKM9SK9t99VEaJxcb5OhZtA6G0yP_Sk6cl4/s320/image4-772710.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6481577552698156258" /></a><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; font-size: 17pt;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65SPS-pfUNvGklja-9B0yWaN3fUzKaDyHCV1gYXniABOjfZNIXV2CiOJsyEoVRM27vQXGN9KmJJHIdkWJ5R2qxfa8aD8CW53X2cj_rTMDk9yG4zEF2K_MuXFUkSmKJxi1xH94NgW-kt0/s1600/image5-773633.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65SPS-pfUNvGklja-9B0yWaN3fUzKaDyHCV1gYXniABOjfZNIXV2CiOJsyEoVRM27vQXGN9KmJJHIdkWJ5R2qxfa8aD8CW53X2cj_rTMDk9yG4zEF2K_MuXFUkSmKJxi1xH94NgW-kt0/s320/image5-773633.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6481577555426423090" /></a><br></p><div></div></div></div></div>pfejtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027989064462010225noreply@blogger.com0