Hiking in the Western Tatras, Slovakia

[StephenM]

Hi all,

I've recently returned from a 5 week trip to Europe, which included Poland (visiting my wife's extended family), Slovakia and Finland. The trip was fantastic, and of course I came back with thousands of photos. I'll post a selection over the coming days/weeks as I process them.

During our 5 night stay in northern Slovakia, we did a great walk to a series of alpine lakes in the Tatra Mountains (known as Rohacske Plesa in Slovakian). It took 8 hrs and involved climbing and descending over 700m (the longest walk and most climbing that my kids have ever done), but the scenery was spectacular! Here are a few of the many shots I took. For those who are interested, the ridge in the background of image #4 is the Poland/Slovakian border.Hope you like them!

Cheers,
Stephen

[iceman]

Wow, stunning scenery.

Thanks Stephen, and welcome back!

[StephenM]

Thanks Mike!

[Ric]

Excellent scenery and images Stephen.

I'd love to go on a hike like that.

[Octane]

Awesome. Slovakia and Poland are both beautiful places.

Did you get to Bled? :)

H

[StephenM]

Thanks Ric, glad you like them.



Thanks Humayun. Yes, they are beautiful places! The Helsinki region isn't bad either.

Regarding Bled, I think you've got your Slovakia mixed up with your Slovenia???

Cheers,
Stephen

[Octane]

Oh, oops. I did, too. Brain fart. :)

H

[troypiggo]

Was that a brain fart echo? :D

Stephen - certainly looks spectacular! You must've been in your element there. Jealous.

[hotspur]

Impressive looking country side.looks like it would get rather cold in winter,
is that that ice/snow or a rock in the very fore ground of first image?

What lenses did you take these with,I remember you mentioned you purchased a 70-200 L for and O/S trip,but some of these look like they have been taken with a wider lens,they all look great!

[gary]

Really nice Stephen! The tarns look idyllic. Some impressive scree slopes!

[IanT]

Loved the photographs. What a great place to take your kids. One of the last remaining wild places in Europe.
Ian

[multiweb]

Such a beautiful part of the world. #7 would be my favourite. I really like the vegetation in the river bed. I remember when I was kid every stream and lakes in the mountains used to have large amount of underwater plants. Not so more now. Probably something's changed in the temperature or chemical composition of the water. My guess would be pollution from rain.

[StephenM]

Thanks for the comments Troy, Chris, Gary, Ian and Marc!



Chris, the foreground of the first image is actually a reflection of the sky in the lake - is that what you are refering to?

These images were all taken with the 15-85mm lens.



That's interesting Marc. You could be right about the pollution from rain.

Cheers,
Stephen

[hotspur]

Yes,Stephen-my mistake.Lovely images,must be amazing to see these things with your own eyes.

[Paddy]

Looks an amazing place for a walk. Lovely photos Stephen.

[firstlight]

Thanks for posting Stephen,
You might remember that I told you my dad was from around there, Bukowina.

He used to tell us that when he was a kid he dreamed of living in a place where there was no winter. He didn't like the cold in Europe, but he reckoned that Tassie winters were far colder than anything he remembered as a child :lol:.

Cheers
Tony

[StephenM]

Thanks Patrick and Tony!



Yes, I do remember that Tony. We didn't get a chance to visit Bukowina this time, as we headed to the Slovakian side of the Mountains (far fewer people than on the Polish side)

Cheers,
Stephen

[gregbradley]

Wow, how beautiful is that?

Its such a pretty planet we live on.

Greg.

[StephenM]

Thanks Greg.

Cheers,
Stephen

[Poita]

I am headed to Slovakia for my Brother's wedding next month, great to get some idea what it all looks like!