High Tatras Mountains // Slovakia Part 2

"Now I see the secret of making the best person, it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth." ~Walt Whitman

If you haven't already, read the post before this for context (and to see pictures of my friends and I falling in holes)

Oh, Slovakia.

On our hike the day before, we had a short conversation with a local on the trail. We told him that we were studying in Prague, and he explained to us the difference between The Czech Republic and Slovakia. He said, "The Czech Republic is the artsy, romantic cousin and Slovakia is the mountain buff." After meeting the local people and exploring both countries, I couldn't agree more.

The man went on to tell us how happy he was that we decided to explore the mountains of Slovakia instead of going to the city (Bratislava) because it was a much more accurate representation of the people and outdoor culture. After this trip, I wouldn't do Slovakia any other way.

Waking up at 6 AM to hike is worth it when you have these views:

Just another gourmet breakfast of peanut butter, granola, and Turkish coffee!

Kyla, our food connoisseur, described the meal as "soggy but full of love."

After yesterday's hike, we felt like we could accomplish anything in the universe. Today's trail was up to a hut on a different summit, with a longer straight away before the climb.

The morning was filled with fog and cold hiking conditions. Our hiking boots had barely dried from the day before, so we were glad that everyone packed multiple pairs of thick socks.

As you saw in the last post, we had to fit all of our supplies, water, food, and clothes into one backpack. Because of the limited space, we had to wear the same hiking clothes every day, with an exception of clean socks and a different base layer shirt.

Yeah, we smelt bad.

Being 3 hours higher than any sort of civilization, we were hiking up in the clouds for most of our morning.

The terrain of this hike had us sliding on ice, walking in streams, stomping through snow, and leaping from rocks.

At one point, we had to hold on to chains to cross rock scrambles. Due to the icy conditions of the Tatras, without chains, these could be deadly.

One of the scariest parts of the hike was the straight aways in the snow.

Hiking on a huge incline, there were some sections where we had no rocks or trees to catch our falls. We had to watch our feet carefully to make sure we stepped on packed snow.

That weird moment that you realize you feel safer with these jagged rocks underneath you...

We had to find sturdy rocks for snack and water breaks, and enjoyed the incredible views before continuing the climb,

A few of us were braver than others. Are you surprised that his hiker name chosen was "Mountain Goat?"

Building stone stacks and making wishes

Finding compact snow to walk on sometimes led us to desperate measures..

Slipping and sliding moving and grooving

A few of the rare sightings of civilization among the trails

One of the most impressive parts of the hike was watching people snowboarding freely down the sides of the mountains.

Peep the rocks around them from a recent rock slide.

You could never pay me enough money, but I bet the feeling is worth it.

We eventually made it to the second hut, and were so happy to warm up and get some coffee!

~Recognize~

We were the only hikers at the hut, everyone else was a skier or snowboarder

Cheers and deserved soft smiles

Best part about this hut? They had a piano! How they managed to get this up the mountain will forever blow my mind...

Kyla, Brittney and I harmonized well from 8,000 feet up!

After a few songs and warmed toes, we journeyed back to our cabin!

Love these mountain mommas to no end!

Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow Bloom and grow forever Edelweiss

Slovakian Shnitzel (Rezeň), potatoes, and pickles after a long day of hiking.

We stayed up our last night talking about our dreams and fears, solving riddles, and playing Uno. Couldn't have gone on a hiking trip with a better group of people!

The next morning, we started our hike back down the mountain to the village and train station. The 3 hour hike up only took about 2 hours down, so we had time to explore and buy souvenirs before the train back to Prague!

Saying goodbye to these mountains may have been harder than any other place in Europe.

Slovakian church, back in civilization

The train back passed through miles of fields of yellow canola seeds. The yellow flowers brightened our mood a bit, but we were all so sad to leave.

Mood picture featuring our new Tatras hats

True love, sharing a head rest

From left to right: hmm, fearless leader, bandit, mountain goat, dory, foodie, granola granny, and Irish goodbye