8th-9th August 2015
Love at first hike.. Negoiu Peak(2535) and Serbota Peak(2331)
The summer of 2015 gifted me one of the most amazing adventures, a hike through the breathtaking Făgăraș Mountains. These mountains have always held a special place in my heart. They’re not just Romania’s highest and wildest range... they’re also deeply personal. My mom was born in Argeș, right at the foot of these giants, and I used to spend parts of my childhood there, wandering around the hills and breathing in the fresh mountain air whenever we visited my grandparents.
This particular journey was also one of my first real mountain adventures. We set out for Negoiu Peak, and the trail took us through some of the most dramatic landscapes I’d ever seen so far... the steep climb up Strunga Dracului, the sharp ridges of Custura Sărății, and the serene beauty around Lake Călțun, where we set up our tent for the night. I remember the feeling of being up there, at high altitude, surrounded by silence and sky. The air felt thinner, and every step asked for more effort, but my heart was full, full of excitement, awe, and a kind of joy I couldn’t quite put into words.
Sleeping in a tent under the stars, with the cool mountain breeze brushing against the fabric, I felt small and alive at the same time. That trip taught me to respect the mountains and fall in love with them all over again. It made me realize how powerful and freeing it is to disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature. Even now, years later, I often find myself thinking back to that hike — to the thrill of the climb, the beauty of the views, and the sense of peace I felt up there. It’s a memory etched into who I am, and it’s one I’ll never forget.
This particular journey was also one of my first real mountain adventures. We set out for Negoiu Peak, and the trail took us through some of the most dramatic landscapes I’d ever seen so far... the steep climb up Strunga Dracului, the sharp ridges of Custura Sărății, and the serene beauty around Lake Călțun, where we set up our tent for the night. I remember the feeling of being up there, at high altitude, surrounded by silence and sky. The air felt thinner, and every step asked for more effort, but my heart was full, full of excitement, awe, and a kind of joy I couldn’t quite put into words.
Sleeping in a tent under the stars, with the cool mountain breeze brushing against the fabric, I felt small and alive at the same time. That trip taught me to respect the mountains and fall in love with them all over again. It made me realize how powerful and freeing it is to disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature. Even now, years later, I often find myself thinking back to that hike — to the thrill of the climb, the beauty of the views, and the sense of peace I felt up there. It’s a memory etched into who I am, and it’s one I’ll never forget.
