The Alpine Club, the world’s first mountaineering club, was founded in 1857.  For over 150 years, members have been at the leading edge of worldwide mountaineering development and exploration. 

With membership, experienced and aspiring alpinists benefit from a varied meets programme, regional lectures with notable guest speakers, reduced rates at many alpine huts, opportunity to apply for grants to support expeditions, significant discounts at many UK retailers, extensive networking contacts, access to the AC Library and maps - and more! 

Becoming a Member
 

After two successful winter trips to the Tatra Mountains, I would like to invite the Alpine Club members to visit those small but interesting mountains once again in 2020. However, this time I would like to make a slight change to the character and objective of the meet… 

This time I suggest to meet in Poland in September and the main objective of the meet will be multi-pitch rock climbing in two different valleys. 

September is a great time to visit the Tatras. On one hand, it is usually pleasantly warm and on the other hand, it is not as crowded as during the summer. Rock climbing here is predominantly multi-pitch on superb granite. Routes are often long and have very mountaineering character, often giving possibility to finish your climb on airy summits. Some of them are bolted but most of the time it is necessary to take at least a small rack. Descents are often tricky and may require multiple abseil or down-climbing. Weather can also change unexpectedly, giving a good test of climber’s endurance and navigation skills…

Mountain huts are comfortable, even comparing to alpine standards and offer traditional polish food and drinks.

The National Park of the Tatra Mountains is fairly small in terms of the area but is also very scenic at the same time. Apart from rock climbing there are lots of great walks and scrambles. 

I suggest dates from the 20th September to the 4th October 2020 and I would like to limit this meet to 12 participants.

Suggested itinerary:

20/9/2020, Sunday
  • Meeting in Krakow;

21/9/2020, Monday
  • Bus transfer to Zakopane where we leave unnecessary bags;
  • Walk to the mountain hut “Murowaniec” in Hala Gasienicowa (2hrs);
  • Possible climb, walk or scramble in the afternoon;

22-24/9/2020, Tuesday to Thursday
  • Climbing and mountaineering in the area of Hala Gasienicowa;

25/9/2020, Friday
  • Moving to the mountain hut in the Valley of Five Lakes (2hrs walk);

26-28/9/2020, Saturday to Monday
  • Climbing and mountaineering;

29/9/2020, Tuesday
  • Moving to the mountain hut “Morskie Oko” (2.5 hrs walk);

30/9-1/10.2020, Wednesday to Thursday;
  • Climbing and mountaineering;

2/10/2020, Friday
  • Climbing and mountaineering in the morning;
  • Walk to Zakopane in the evening;
  • Overnight stay in Zakopane;

3/10/2020, Saturday
  • Walk, scramble or climb;
  • Evening – bus transfer to Krakow;
  • Dinner in Krakow;

4/10/2020
  • Day in Krakow;
  • Return to the UK;

Guidebooks and Maps (most relevant guidebooks are in Polish but many of them are just simple topos with grade and basic information that can be easily understood):

Further information about the area: