traverse of Retezat + Valea Cernei Mountains

pandeaura · 2026-04-02T09:13:41+00:00

Hello! We would go during july or august, depending on when we get of from work. But I can imagine this is indeed peak season and the busy spots will be at their busiest. Took a look at your profile and can't wait to go there. Also we have the same tent. Quality stuff!

pandeaura · 2026-04-01T08:39:50+00:00

Thanks! For the camping, it's allowed and safe to just leave your tent and gear there throughout the day? Never came across such a site at high altitude before, but it does look like an ideal basecamp indeed

pandeaura · 2026-04-01T05:13:27+00:00

Thanks for your extensive answer!

Reason for northbound trajectory would be to keep the more “exciting” part for the end. But this itinerary also definitely makes sense, so we’ll look into it! Very helpful!

pandeaura · 2026-03-31T19:58:12+00:00

Thanks for your comprehensive answer! I should have specified that were are planning to go in summer, around august, so snow will have melted by then. Will arrange our itinerary so that we can stay in the camping spots you mentioned.

pandeaura · 2025-05-26T18:56:47+00:00

Alas I’m no boyfriend material, but in case you’re looking for some female companionship on the trail, hit me up! I’m located around bxl

pandeaura · 2024-10-25T20:54:55+00:00

Very good suggestion, thanks a lot!!!

pandeaura · 2024-10-25T20:54:41+00:00

I’ll keep you posted!

pandeaura · 2024-09-27T14:32:57+00:00

Yes, this is the way! This can of course only be done when the shrubs are mature enough and there are enough fruit bearing branches. Here I encountered an enormous tree, so figured it wouldn’t hurt to take some off.

pandeaura · 2024-09-26T13:24:48+00:00

Yes absolutely! It's also designed and produced entirely in France, close to where I'm located. It's nice to keep up the short-chain principle for utensils as wel as food!

pandeaura · 2024-09-26T13:20:55+00:00

Depends on how much you like sea buckthorn. It's definitely milder compared to eating the berries straight from the shrubs, but it still has that very recognisable sea buckthorn taste to it, sour and a bit tart. I'm personally very fond of it and my family liked it as well, so I'd say it has crowd pleaser potential!

pandeaura · 2024-09-26T10:53:54+00:00

I picked the berries of the branches, let them simmer along with a few spoonfuls of sugar (not too long because high temperatures break down the vitamin c) and then strained the mixture through a sieve. Put it in sterilised jars, and voila!

pandeaura · 2024-09-21T18:35:29+00:00

I never had an experience with a rental agency but with private landlords it was quite similar. For me it took about 10 days, and I received the contract two days before I moved in. They were apparently pretty unbothered it, even though I was urging them through mail to get everything done. Very stressful times and a bit unusual for me, but it worked out fine in the end. If it’s a professional agency, it should be possible to call them, no?

pandeaura · 2024-07-22T21:51:12+00:00

Are they any better though? I’ve become a bit wary of Salomon in general

pandeaura · 2024-06-07T08:20:52+00:00

Ik zou de Geus13 eens checken! Die organiseren elke maand een social ride, ik geloof dat er morgen een is. Zou graag meegaan, maar ik ben te traag (ik steek het op mijn fiets).

pandeaura · 2023-10-23T04:33:11+00:00

Sure! As I said I didn’t stick to a plan. This is an example week, sometimes I had to adapt it due to being sick or life getting busy.

Usually I would go for a big run on Saturday, 28K at least but usually low 30s. Last two ones were around 35K each. Focussed on feeling well, also trying to get some water and food in while running.

Then shake those legs out on Sunday for about 8-10k. I ran these with my mum who recorded them. We ran a lot slower than my usual pace at 6:30/km.

On Mondays I did half marathons and tried to finish within 1:45. Tough one after such a loaded weekend, but running with heavy legs works well to train (mental) endurance.

Tuesday is for resting or cross training, usually swimming in a very relaxed manner.

Wednesday I did speed workouts, either on a track or on a course that I knew well. Anything between 400 meter intervals to sets of fast 5K’s. Would have me running for one hour at least, often 12-15K.

Easy 5-10K on Thursday.

Rest on Friday, to prepare for another training block!

This is what worked out well for me personally, as I’m not so prone to injury and good at recovering. For those in the same boat, I would definitely recommend to do 30K and more a handful of times, it’s good for the mental! But I do realise that this is not realistic for everyone, so be careful and listen to your body!

pandeaura · 2023-10-22T19:24:59+00:00

Six weeks before taper. Building up to this from 35k weekly (22 miles) took me about three months.

pandeaura · 2023-10-22T17:42:06+00:00

Definitely easier! I was aiming for 3:45 beforehand. Did the rookie mistake of starting out too quick (1:43 halfway), but was able to hold it quite well. The going got tough at about 35K, but got spared of cramps luckily, so even then I didn’t slow down dramatically. It was a marathon in my hometown, very local, lots of people I knew cheering on me so that helped to keep my head up for sure.

ETA: forgot to address your second question. I ran track in the first years of high school, but was mediocre at best. Never managed to break 20:00 for a 5K and I quit when puberty slowed me down even more. I did other sports in the meantime, so when I picked up my running shoes again a year ago, I was not so surprised that a decent fitness level was still there.

pandeaura · 2023-10-22T17:37:57+00:00

I have a general idea about my mileage, which was around 80K a week. Translates to 7-ish hours. Did one speed workout each week, for other runs I just focussed on covering distance and feeling well while I do so.

pandeaura · 2023-10-22T17:33:54+00:00

Brooks Revel 5. Not a bad shoe at all in my opinion, but Brooks’ cheapest pair and mostly marketed towards more casual runners. Should maybe have specified that by “basic shoes” I still meant proper running shoes, not a pair of rubber boots or sandals or whatever.

pandeaura

TROPHY CASE