A trip in the Izera Mountains

Apr 13^th

Tomasz, Poland
Trip in Poland ~ Beginner difficulty

One day my workmate phoned me to say that he was going to make a trip in the Izera Montains (Polish name: Gory Izerskie; German name: Isergebirge) and suggested I join him.

We started from Wroclaw at 7:00 a.m. and two hours later we reached Swieradow, from where we headed towards the peak of the Smrk (1124 meters, Polish and German names respectively: Smrek and Tafelfichte). After 1.5 hours’ walk we were approaching the mountain shelter located on our route when we suddenly heard combustion engines. We were surprised because there are no roads at this altitude.

After a dozen or so minutes everything became clear when we came upon a scene, wrapped in fog, presenting a gondola railway construction site. After a short rest in the mountain shelter we returned to the path to continue our hike.

Two other people we’d met in the mountain shelter joined us, and now we moved towards mountain peak as a four-person group. Our trip is documented by the photos below.

Acouple words concerning the location of the Izera Mountains

The Izera Mountains are moderately high and are part of the Western Sudetes. The forests covering the mountains were largely destroyed by environmental pollution that was prevalent during communist times. At present they are being replaced by new ones. The bare peaks of the Izera Mountains (not overgrown by forests) provide a vantage point from which to enjoy the marvelous panoramic view of the Karkonosze Mountains, Jeleniogorska Valley, Kaczawskie Mountains, the numerous old castles located close to the Izera Mountians, and the Smrk peak, over which the “green” border between Poland and the Czech Republic runs.

TheIzerska Mountain Pasture (Polish name: Hala Izerska) is beautifully located in the Izera Valley. It has a severe climate, documented by fact that temperatures of -3.5°C are often observed in July, which explains the mountain pines preserved here. On the Izerska Mountain Pasture are also the remains of Gross Iser village, pacified by the Soviets, and a unique building known now as Chatka Gorzystow. The blue path leads you to the Izerska Mountain Pasture, about 1 hour’s walk from Swieradow.

The climate of the Izera Mountians is varies. In the higher parts of these mountains mountain the climate is noted for heavy rainfalls during the summer and winter (as much as 1500 mm) and low temperatures throughout the year. Typically for this region are long and snow-white winters. Snow can cover the Izera Mountains until May.

The changing weather, wind, sun, and melting snow cover was a challenge to our physical condition and hiking equipment.

This trip was further proof that solid hiking equipment is the basis of good and safe fun in natural conditions. I was the only person who finished our trip with dry feet, because I was the only one wearing ECCO shoes…

The major part of the Izera Mountians is extremely rich in ore deposits, first of all quartz deposits; however, they are now being significantly exploited.

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