Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Sixth time lucky (at least in case of Mt Veľký Rozsutec)

The Veľký Rozsutec is a great mountain - not only view from the summit is extraordinary, but trail that leads to the rocky top is quite spectacular. It is one of the most beautiful places in whole Malá Fatra range, and for me it is additionally special place because so many times I had to go there to finally see real winter sunrise (and sunset) from the top.

Mt Veľký Rozsutec for the first time

Some Sundays start well (but end badly)

Screenplay of this trip repeated itself few times later: when I reached the top, weather was quite promising, but surrounding summits were already covered partially by clouds. Unfortunately, just few minutes before sunrise clouds and fog came to the top of Veľký Rozsutec and blocking views in all directions for many hours. More about this trip here: The Mala Fatra Mountains in Winter.

Mt Veľký Rozsutec for the second time

Sea of clouds

As I mentioned above, this time story was quite similar to the previous one, but pictures that I made before clouds came in sweetened a little the taste of disappointment. More about this adventure here: Daybreak on the Veľký Rozsutec.

Mt Veľký Rozsutec for the second time

This time I didn't even reach the car parking at the trailhead. Despite optimistic weather forecasts, it was raining when I was driving, so in the middle of my road trip I decided to make U-tern and go back home (and it was good decision as it appeared later when I checked views from cameras in Malá Fatra range).

...for the fourth time...

Mt Veľký Rozsutec seen from Mt Veľký Kriváň

Surprise! This time it was little different: this time I planned to be at the top of Mt Veľký Rozsutec just before sunset and I started my day on the other side of Malá Fatra range: I went to the top of Mt Veľký Kriváň to watch sunrise. Then I followed the main ridge in the direction of Veľký Rozsutec, but the closer to the target I was, the worse weather was. When I reached the last pass where the last ascent begins, all peaks around were already covered by clouds, so instead going to the top, I went down to the car. I described this trip here: From Dawn Till Dusk in Malá Fatra.

And where did these clouds come from...?!

I guess I can call it a day and go down...

...for the fifth time...

Finally!

"Fifth time lucky" one could say. Finally, I made it and this time I could watch real winter sunrise from the top. As you probably already imagine, finally weather got worse, but then I was already lower at these clouds that were covering tops of mountains were quite photogenic.

This kind of colors happen only at the daybreak

Sun is shining and I can finally feel my fingers

Mt Stoh looks from here really awesome

Dreamy weather (...so far)

10 minutes later...

I guess it is high time to go down

Mt Stoh from Mt Veľký Rozsutec

Malá Fatra range

Mt Stoh seen from Mt Osnica

Mt Stoh and Mt Veľký Rozsutec seen from Mt Osnica

Sun above Mt Osnica and clouds above Veľký Rozsutec

...and for the sixth time!

Sunrise at Mt Chleb with Veľký Rozsutec in the background

I took general idea for this trip from one of my previous ones: sunrise at the top of Mt Chleb, traverse of the main ridge of Malá Fatra and sunset at Mt Veľký Rozsutec. To be honest, at the end of the day, I was little surprised that weather is so good. When I reached the top, sun was shining and there were almost no clouds (but I was not complaining!).