12 Nov 2017, SOTA on YO/EC-203 "Ioresti"

Essentials

Target summit: 8 points YO/EC-203 "Ioresti" - www.sota.org.uk/Summit/YO/EC-203
Our Route: We've left the car where the tarmac ends and the dirt road begins (at the north-western exit in Paltinu) and started climbing on the grassy hill on our right. Once inside the forest we entered a maze of dirt roads which happened to be extremely muddy and hard to navigate. Check the GPS track and map for  more details.
GPS Track: www.wandermap.net/ro/route/3547141-ioeresti-yoec-203-gps/
(download the track by clicking on "Export GPS data").
GSM coverage: So and so.
Summit conditions: Mixed, you can choose between open or forested.
Other info: Beautiful vistas. In summer you may run into some sheepfolds and dogs. At the top there are remnants of trenches from the war (probably from WW1).

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Activity report

The day started with some delay that caused sparks to fly. Little did I know that it was going to get even worse before it was over. Our original summit route had to be abandoned due to a closed barrier that prevented us to drive further. We used our backup track and soon we were knee deep in sticky-slippery mud. Despite being probably the muddiest place we've ever hiked in, nobody fell, not even I. Once off the roads and into the forest and ridge trail, things looked a lot better. The wind blasted us something fierce and even pushed me off balance a couple of times, but managed to remain upright. Finally, we've reached the top, where a strange, half collapsed building stood against the winds. On this trip we were accompanied by Magda, Marian and Daniel. While we set the rig up, they started cooking on a brand new and very compact grill made by my good uncle Pisto. The descent was long and tiresome, but we avoided the worst muddy inclines by taking a slightly different route (the one published above). Back at the car I placed my recently bought FT50 in the trunk, but moments later decided to move it on the roof. With everyone ready, we've left, but the handheld remained up top for some time. When I realized my mistake, about 5 kilometers later, we turned back to look for it. I was convinced we'll find it, even if in a bad shape. Well, we didn't find it, after all. Best guess is someone took it, although not many people passed through that area and during that time. Needless to say, I was bummed out beyond measure. Not a very good day for science.