Classic Tatra Route - Mt Rysy

Trail to Mt Rysy is one of the most classic ones in the High Tatras. This is one of the most difficult and the longest trails in Polish mountains and panorama which is waiting at the top is one of the best in whole Tatras. Of course, I wouldn't be myself, if I had not planned my trip without sunset and sunrise on the top :) The funny thing is that this trip took place in... 2015, but somehow, I didn't have time or I wasn't in the correct mood to put it in by blog earlier.

The beginning was... difficult as always. Traffic jams, searching for free spot for a car somewhere nearby the beginning of the trail... but weather was perfect, views were beautiful, so I easily forgot all previous issues. Even huge crowd at the Moskie Oko lake didn't destroy my good mood. I just ignored them and went away.

The Bula pod Rysami

When I reach The Czarny Staw (The Black Lake),I am always impressed how high and vertical surrounding rock faces are. Unfortunately, when you follow trail to Mt Rysy, view is almost the same till you reach the ridge. Because of this, this route is - to be brutally honest - really boring (the Slovakian variant of the trail has much better views). Difficulty of the route is a different thing - denivelation and inclination makes Polish variant one of the most difficult trails in whole Tatras. Don't get me wrong - technically it is not very difficult for people who has some experience in this kind of mountains, but it really requires a lot of stamina.

At the ridge of Mt Rysy

Only the last 30 meters that follows Mt Rysy ridge, may cause faster heartbeat for some more sensitive people. Views are extraordinary and exposure is quite high in few places.

Sun above the Mieguszowieckie Peaks

Top of Mt Rysy is known for its beautiful views - like I mentioned at the beginning, it is one of the best in whole Tatras. Mt Rysy lies - more or less - in the center of High Tatras, it is one of the highest mountains and it is surrounded by other beautiful peaks from all sides. On the Slovak side, you perfectly can see Tatras' giants from here (The Ľadový štít, The Lomnický štít, The Gerlachovský štít) and view of neighboring Mt Vysoká and Mt Gánok is just breathtaking. On the western side you can see all three Mieguszowieckie Peaks with vertical, northern faces and the Western Tatras at the horizon.

Around one hour before sunset, all hikers went down and I was the only one still at the top. Being in such place alone at this part of the day is just extraordinary experience - it is just like being the only man in whole world.

Just before sunset at the top of Mt Rysy

Descent to Slovakian side

After the sunset I quickly went down to the neighboring hut on Slovakian side where I had my accommodation (I made my reservation 6 months in advance...) and - surprisingly - kitchen was still open, so I was able to order something for late dinner. It was perfect end of the perfect day!

But it wasn't end of my trip - the next day, 2 hours before sunrise, when I went out from the hut, I found myself speechless when I saw surrounding rocks, peaks and mountains illuminated by the Moon, as I have never seen such a view before. There were no clouds in the sky and Moon was full, so I didn't even have to use my headlamp tor each top of Mt Rysy again.

Mt Kriváň and the Moon, just before sunrise

Few minutes to sunrise...

Sunrise at the top of Mt Rysy

Sunrise was equally beautiful as sunset the day before, just sun was on the other side ;) And I wasn't the only one there - there were few other hikers, who started their ascent at the midnight (!!!) to reach the top before sunrise.

Sunrise at the top of Mt Rysy

Sunrise at the top of Mt Rysy

The Tatras' giants: The Ľadový štít, The Pyšný štít, The Lomnický štít, The Široká veža and The Prostredný hrot

Sleepy but happy

The Malé Rysy, one day I will go there too

Descent to the Polish side was quite easy and quick. Thanks to this, it was still early when I reach the Morskie Oko Lake and there were almost no people there. I was able to make few additional pictures of the lake and then I went down to the car.

The Moskie Oko Lake

The Moskie Oko Lake

The Moskie Oko Lake