Location: Tatra Mountains Poland/Slovakia
Elevation: Szpiglasowa Przełęcz - 2,110 m
Distance: 23km
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►IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Emergency number 985 or 112 or +48 601 100 300
TOPR - Tatrzańskie Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe (Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue).
Rescue app – RATUNEK - https://www.gopr-podhale.pl/dla-turystow/aplikacja-ratunek
►ABOUT THIS HIKE:
I left rented car at Palenica Białczańska car park and followed the red trail on Droga Oswalda Balzera to Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza.
I walked across the bridge and turned right where the trail sign is. Continued hiking the green trail through Dolina Roztoki to another trail sign. Caution: from this point the trail is different in winter than in other seasons, please make sure you check this before beginning your hike due to avalanche danger.
Avalanche level issued by TOPR was 1, so instead of taking the winter variant I traversed Niżnia Kopa and reached Mountain Hut in Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich. Caution: I do not encourage anyone to follow my steps, you should always choose the safest variant possible.
After a quick break I continued on the blue trail and passed Przedni Staw Polski, then turned left off the trail. Caution: from this point the trail is different in winter than in other seasons, please make sure you check this before beginning your hike due to avalanche danger.
I hiked up to Miedziane slop, traversed to the right and got to the area below Szpiglasowa Przełęcz. This part was very physical for me due to deep snow and clearing way up. I could probably follow blue and yellow trails instead of the winter variant but it was too late for it. Caution: I do not encourage anyone to follow my steps, you should always choose the safest variant possible. This part is at an avalanche risk area, be extremely careful.
I reached the point where chains are (you will not be able to use them if covered under snow). Caution: this part is very step, be extremely careful.
Finally, I got to Szpiglasowa Przełęcz at 2,110 m where I enjoyed the stunning panorama of winter peaks.
Original plan was to get to Szpiglasowy Wierch. You can see from the video that I tried to do it but due to very strong wind, late hour, cold and the trail completely covered with snow I made the decision not to do it that day.
I took way down from other side of Szpiglasowa Przełęcz, in direction to Morskie Oko. Slop traversing was very extreme as I was descending down in complete dark, very strong wind, deep snow and steep terrain. There were moments where wind was so strong that I could not stand on my feet, instead I was just sitting and waiting for gust to stop every few minutes.
I reached Droga Oswalda Balzera near Mountain Hut Morskie Oko and continued down back to Palenica Białczańska car park.
Do not follow any of my steps if you do not have winter mountains experience.
Avalanche safety kit with a transceiver is necessary in any mountains during winter time.
►USEFUL INFORMATION:
Tatra Mountains Avalanche Information – https://lawiny.topr.pl/
Tatra Mountains Weather - https://pogoda.topr.pl/
Tatra National Park entry tickets booking online – https://tpn.gov.pl/tatra-national-park
Palenica Białczańska car park (booking only online in advance) – https://tpn.gov.pl/parkingi-morskie-oko#KUP%20BILET
The best online/offline hiking app – https://en.mapy.cz/
Hiking trails in Poland app - https://mapa-turystyczna.pl/
►GEAR:
Backpack – Osprey Kestrel 48 Rogue Red
Watch – Garmin fēnix 6X Sapphire PRO
Jacket – Adidas Terrex - Gore Tex
Trousers – The North Face Diablo
Shoes – La Sportiva Aequilibrium ST GTX
Crampons – Black Diamond Serac Clip
MTN spikes – Salewa - Mountain Spike Crampon
Ice axe – Climbing Technology Dron Plus
Helmet – BLACK DIAMOND VISION - HYPER RED
Gloves – The North Face Etip and Black Diamond Renegade Pro GTX
Sunglasses – BLIZ Fusion Nano
Goggles – Oakley Flight Deck
Avalanche Rescue Kit – Mammut Barryvox/Black Diamond Deploy Shovel/Climbing Technology Probe Finder 240
►VIDEO EQUIPMENT:
Camera - Canon R6 MKII + Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM + GoPro10 Hero Black + DJI mini 3 PRO
Microphone - Rode VideoMic GO II
Tripod - ULANZI Zero F38 + Zero F38 Quick Release
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:01:05 - Palenica Białczańska
00:01:40 - Dolina Roztoki
00:02:54 - Niżnia Kopa
00:04:16 - Mountain Hut in Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich
00:05:23 - Miedziane slop
00:05:46 - Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich
00:06:58 - Snowy peaks panorama
00:07:43 - Part with chains
00:09:26 - Szpiglasowa Przełęcz
00:11:02 - Way to Szpiglasowy Wierch covered with snow
00:12:14 - Note
00:12:38 - Photos