Like any good story set in Romania. This one starts at a train station at the base of the mountains. Having lept deftly from the slowly rolling train I found myself facing the Podu Olt station. After scrambling across the other three rail lines in the station yard I found safe footing on the cracked and pitted concrete platform.
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, there was no coach and Coachman at the station to meet me. So I set off on foot hoping to travel the three kilometers of rolling farmland between the station and the town of Turnu Rosu swiftly. There was much ground to cover before I reached the mountains and the ridge top Cabana I was hoping to stay in for the evening.
Passing through Turnu Rosu I began the ascent of the Fagaras mountains. The road leading out of the south side of town seems mainly to service the monestary in the mountains. Secluded an additional 3 kilometers into the mountains it provided one last reminder of the civilization I was about to leave behind on my 7 day expedition through the Fagaras mountain range. Filling my water at the spring just below the monestary and listening to a hymn calling over the mountains from the monestary I turned and continued my climb.
Now began the real trek. Leaving the road behind I followed the signpost directing me up toward the mountain peak of Suru. Or more elegantly Vârful Suru. The path, which was now a path as oppose to a road, rose through the trees and fog. Higher and higher. Eventually breaking out of the tree line and exposing the first mountain views.
It seemed just as soon as I had clambered out of the tree line it was time to dip back down and begin the 3 kilometer descent to Cabana Suru. Disheartened at the idea of having to descend from the ridge I started climbing down from the peak as the fog started climbing up. Slowly being engulfed by the cool embrace of nature’s damp tendrils I was glad I had made the decision to stay someplace that I hoped would be warm and dry.
I was not disappointed. Cabana Suru was a lovely bastion against the cold and rain which began in the evening. As the wind howled outside and the rain pounded against the hut I enjoyed delicious soup, bread, beer, and even indulged in a fruit tea with my new Czech and Polish friends who were also sheltering from the elements.
We whiled away the evening playing board games, talking and even strumming away on the cabanas guitar. All the while under the attentive care of our hosts. Who ensured the wood stove was stoked and out mugs or glasses were full. I could not have imagined a more perfect first day as I climbed under my blankets and listened to the wind and rain battering the cozy hut.
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