ᐅ Summit nº18: Sněžka (Czech Republic)

SUMMITS

SUMMIT Nº 18: Sněžka (CZECH REPUBLIC)

CZECH REPUBLIC

Sněžka

17/05/2024

ALTITUDE

1.603 m

Nil López, Albert López, Miquel López AND Andreu López

DIFFICULTY LEVEL

LOW

CHRONICLE

This is a special Top Summit for the company that makes up the expedition. We have had Thursday, May 16 marked on the calendar for quite a few months and that day we flew with the nephews to the Czech Republic.
At 2:00 p.m. I picked up Albert (my middle nephew) and we left our hometown of Sant Martí de Tous heading to Igualada. There we picked up Miquel, the youngest of the brothers, who was finishing an exam at 2:30 p.m. The penultimate stop will be in Sant Joan Despí where we pick up Nil, a “less young” brother who would end his workday at 3:30 p.m. Once the team is complete, we head to the last stop of the day with our vehicle, which is the Park&Go, the parking and rest area for the KIA Sportage. From there to the parking lot, a van takes us to Terminal 1 of the airport and “let’s get the party start it.”
We stayed on the outskirts of Prague since the next day, Friday, we must get up early to go to the north of the country, to the mountainous region of the Sudets (border with Poland), to try to ascend the Snežka, the roof of the country with its 1,603 meters. 2 hours and 30 minutes separate us from the beginning of the route, which we decided to shorten by about 4 kilometers due to the bad weather conditions, mainly rain and wind, although the day is also quite cloudy.

From the level of 1,300 meters there is no tree vegetation and we find a stretch of alpine bushes that leads us to a shelter where we make a technical stop to “rest” from the bad weather as the wind begins to get angry. After moments of doubt about whether to stay under cover or attack the summit, we opted for the second. The 4 of us went running and it is a truth like a temple that the higher speed we reach, the less time we will remain exposed to the wind. It is clear that we are not trail running professionals and we lasted 5 minutes running uphill, although they are enough to get out of the most difficult part. open the mountain and have the protection of its walls. The last 750 meters to the top are a beautiful cobblestone path in which I follow the trail of lightning disguised as my youngest nephew, Miquel, who climbs very lightly and fluidly. It really is a very interesting rhythm…let’s see if in the future we can see it in action in more demanding mountains, but in Sněžka’s profile it has adapted perfectly.

We started the march late, around 12:00 noon, although it is not a problem since the small average age of the group results in a lot of energy, momentum and speed towards the top. I am surprised by the high average speed when walking, although I adapt and it is not a problem… I have not been in optimal shape for a couple of months due to a problem in my digestive system derived from the trip to Cameroon and I appreciate days like today, with a high pace, which means good training.
The route begins at approximately 800 meters high and the 800 meters of positive slope that we must overcome to the top seem not to exist since we gain height very quickly among fir forests covered in fog and bathed in water. We make a quick stop at the 1,200 meter level (equator of the ascent), to get supplies and eat a little and we continue climbing quickly since the bad weather deprives us of a more contemplative attitude.

Above, at 1,603 meters, a wide cloudy esplanade awaits us and where a small shelter appears to us as an “ally” to cover us from the strong winds that reach speeds of up to 87 km/hour. The very hot and substantial “goulash” soup that they serve us inside is another ally as it allows us to recover energy and body temperature. After a pause of about 30 minutes, an unfriendly meteorological panorama awaits outside and that, in a fleeting way, will allow us to immortalize the moment and although the weather has not been the best or ideal in this ascent, it has been. the company. I am very excited that the three of them are present at this summit as well as sharing trips and adventures through Czech lands with them.
The experience and prudence of years of mountaineering tells me that it is better not to follow the route along an unknown itinerary (the route is circular) and we choose to undo the route which will be faster and safer although it will deprive us of getting to know new territory and landscapes.
The descent is fun in the midst of the incessant rain since we do it running until we reach the level of 1,200 meters. From there and with a greater presence of trees that serve as a screen and shield (at least partially) against the rain, we reduce the speed of the walk and start walking until we reach the car. Well soaked but also very happy with the experience in Snežka.

But the Czech Republic is not just Snežka and from there the itinerary continues to Karlovy Vary where the highly recommended “Madonna Apartments” will allow us to recover from a long day with 6 hours of driving and about 6 hours of excursion on the program. Good night.

Karlovy Vary is the starting point of our route through the Bohemian region. Bohemia is a historic region of Central Europe characterized by its fairytale castles, the abundant greenery that emanates from the forests and luxurious spas as well as some of the largest and most important cities in the Czech Republic such as the capital Prague, the Pilsen brewery where the world’s first blonde beer was produced, among others. Returning to Karlovy Vary, we will not make any difference to its status as a thermal city and we will visit one of its aquatic facilities to recover from yesterday’s effort. As for what else to do in Karlovy Vary… well, you don’t need to be a tourist expert to enjoy your stay since absolutely the entire city is like a fairy tale. However, walking along the riverbank as well as touching the healing water of the hot springs scattered randomly throughout the city become mandatory activities.
The traffic between Karlovy Vary and Pilsen (next city) runs along beautiful roads surrounded by trees and a horizon with motionless clouds and a newly arrived sun-shaped character, giving us postcard-like images.
Pilsen is a city that stands out for its beer and for lovers of this drink it becomes a mandatory stop… None of the 4 of us is a beer brewer but we will spend a nice evening time enjoying its main square and surroundings. We stayed in Pilsen also to avoid the expensive accommodation prices in the medieval city of Český Krumlov, the tourist objective of our penultimate day in the country. In the case of this last location, and the one that concerns the writer of these lines, it acted as a repeater and in 2007 Český Krumlov was a stop for an inter-rail that traveled through Central Europe.

Český Krumlov is a medieval city of more than 10,000 inhabitants, with a very well-preserved old town that should be a mandatory stop on any “tour” through the Czech country. By the way, do not go to eat at the “Restaurace Lazebna” which although it is located in a trap and idyllic location next to the river, they made us wait about 2 hours for incorrectly served dishes, the bill included additional dishes…probably of the worst gastronomic experiences of our lives.
This beautiful family trip is approaching its end but first we will have to discover (in my case “rediscover”) the capital Prague. Prague concentrates multiple elements that make it one of the most charming European capitals. You cannot miss putting in your tourist agenda a walk around the Vltava River, crossing the Charles IV Bridge, visiting the astronomical clock that dates back to 1410, seeing the church of Sant Nicolàs and reaching the top of the city; the Petrín Hill which brings together gardens and monuments such as the Strahov Monastery and gives us fantastic views of the horizon to finish off this brief but intense family getaway.
On a personal level and as an “uncle”, I am very happy that they have accompanied me in this traveler-mountaineering project as Top Summits of the World and whose objective is to unite the world through its mountains. What’s next guys?