Sunset at the top of Mt Veľký Choč (Just Before the Lockdown)

Just few days before COVID-19 lockdown I went to one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Slovakia. And I did this in the same way as previously – I took one day off in the middle of the week, when mountains are quiet and almost empty.

Actually, I was there already, in winter (Back to the Veľký Choč) as well as in autumn (The Veľký Choč). But previously, these trips were for sunrise, so this time I decided to do something else. I didn't have to wake up in the middle of the night or run to the top to catch the sunrise. This time I went there relaxed and chilled out completely – I had a lot of time to reach the top before sunset.

Winter variant of the trail to the top

Winter variant of the trail to the top

I reached the summit so early, that I had a lot of time to scramble around and to search for interesting views. And I found some, especially on the northern slopes (great view to Malá Fatra ridge).

Nice views near the top

Top of Mt Veľký Choč

Tatras seen from Mt Veľký Choč

Mt Veľký Choč

Mt Veľký Choč

I planned to go to the nearby top of Malý Choč, but my plans were verified by real life immediately. There is no path there, so last few hundred meters is off-trail route. Just few meters from the path, snow appeared to be so deep that it was almost impossible to move forward. I was fighting for few more minutes, but then I realized that it is not worth it - probably I wouldn’t be able to reach top of Malý Choč before sunset. Then I just went back to the main summit.

Malý Choč and Nízke Tatry in the background

Malý Choč

Full panorama from the top of Mt Veľký Choč

Mt Veľký Choč

The Malá Fatra ridge

The Malá Fatra ridge

Stoh and Mt Veľký Rozsutec

Next moments were without any additional surprises: views were beautiful, and setting sun colored surrounding snow in red, blue and then in violet which created this strange mood which you can feel only during the sunrise or the sunset. When show was over, I turned on my headlamp and went back to the car. When I was there, it was already pitch black around.

Just before the sunset

Mt Veľký Choč

Mt Veľký Choč

Just after the sunset

Veľká Fatra and Malá Fatra on the horizon