Team MountainPro in training exercise

As is not a daily routine to catch up with members of MountainPro International Team we've got to spend all the time available in the best way, taking advantage of all the opportunities we can. But sometimes things you're planing in advance are not quite the same with the real situation, and that's why Paul Andrews (US) and Ciprian Moruzan (RO) found themselves in one of those funny situations when all the planning is washed away by weird weather conditions, so they had to wait for a good window several days.
But the patient one will have his reward, so weather turned good on Friday, the 15th of January, when they left for an ascent in Piatra Craiului mountains, in the heart of Transylvania.
Walking on virgin snow on the way to the ridge, through a gorge named Valea Crapaturii was pretty demanding, loose rocks covered with ice and a layer of 5 or 6 inches of snow made the ascent harder, but the incredible view was enough to compensate that.


At the saddle - Saua Crapaturii - they sort out the gear, starting the climb to get the first peak on the ridge, named (Varful) Turnu (1923 m), preparing for the technical steep passages on the way. Lucky enough, we spotted black goats - protected by the Romanian government - on the way to (Varful) Turnu peak.

Ciprian Moruzan at the beginning of the steep section.

Paul Andrews climbing to the ridge.

Ciprian Moruzan approaching to (Varful) Turnu peak.

Paul Andrews on the ridge between (Varful) Turnu peak (1923 m) and (Varful) Padina Popii peak (2062 m).

Weather closing in pretty bad by (Varful) Padina Popii peak.


The original plan was to climb along the ridge to the (Varful) Ascutit peak (2150 m), and to descend on Padinile Frumoase to Curmatura mountain hut (1460 m), but due to the bad weather conditions they've had decided to take the shortcut, on a steeper descent through Karol Lehmann route; it was quite tricky, considering the imminent avalanche danger, but it was a smart decision to take instead continuing the climb to the (Varful) Ascutit peak and risking a descent in the darkness, using headlights.
Paul before the descent.

Cipri descending on Karol Lehmann route; weather closing in.

At the Curmatura mountain hut, before a well deserved hot meal.

To see a good map of Piatra Craiului mountains click here.
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