Friday, October 16, 2020

Spring in Karkonosze Mountains, day 2: From Cauldron of Maly Staw to Snowy Cauldrons

This day started as in poor comedy movie, but it ended with wonderful evening session.

It appeared that sleeping next to the trail in Karkonosze Mountains is really a bad idea - for almost the whole night, from time to time, somebody was passing by (very often talking loudly),so I couldn't sleep. When my alarm clock finally rang, I could barely open my eyes. But weather was really nice, sky was full of stars, so I packed my camping gear and went to the top of Cauldron of Maly Staw, which I identified yesterday as perfect spot for a sunrise. Unfortunately, history likes to repeat itself and today - exactly like it happened yesterday - just before sunrise covered everything around me. It was just like in really poor comedy - second time in the row the same thing happened!

Few moments later after this shot, I could see only tops of my hiking bootsFew moments later after this shot, I could see only tops of my hiking boots

This time I decided to stay in place and wait for the weather to improve. I was lucky, because 40 minutes later, some of clouds disappeared for few minutes and I could finally make some shots.

40 minutes later, finally I could see something40 minutes later, finally I could see something
Great spot for selfie, isn't it?Great spot for selfie, isn't it?
Let's make another oneLet's make another one
Above Cauldron of Maly StawAbove Cauldron of Maly Staw
Inside the cauldronInside the cauldron
Inside the cauldronInside the cauldron

When weather window closed, I decided that it was time to go and I went down to my car. It appeared to be not bad decision - in the meantime weather was worse and worse and finally it started to rain. It still rained in the afternoon when I was in Szklarska Poreba town thinking if it makes sense to go somewhere for a sunset. But it seems that I am confirmed optimist - it was enough just to see few rays of sunlight and immediately I packed my backpack again and went to the Snowy Cauldrons - another great place in Karkonosze.

Way to the Snowy Cauldrons with Mt Szrenica in the backgroundWay to the Snowy Cauldrons with Mt Szrenica in the background
The Snowy CauldronsThe Snowy Cauldrons
The Snowy CauldronsThe Snowy Cauldrons

Surprisingly, this time, the higher I was, the better weather was there. During my final ascent to the Snowy Cauldrons it was really sunny - only strong and freezing wind was remainder of previous hours of bad weather. IT was just perfect evening, so I was running there and back shooting everything around with my camera.

Mt Wielki SzyszakMt Wielki Szyszak
Mt Wielki SzyszakMt Wielki Szyszak
The Snowy CauldronsThe Snowy Cauldrons
The Snowy CauldronsThe Snowy Cauldrons
Evening panorama of the Snowy CauldronsEvening panorama of the Snowy Cauldrons
The Snowy CauldronsThe Snowy Cauldrons
The Snowy CauldronsThe Snowy Cauldrons
The Snowy CauldronsThe Snowy Cauldrons

After the sunset it became so cold and freezing that I haven't even considered to stay there for a night. I went back to nearby refugee which is placed just few hundred meters below the ridge. I could spend night there even outside just using my sleeping bag protected from wind with nearby building walls.

Return to the refugeeReturn to the refugee
Return to the refugeeReturn to the refugee
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