Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Travel / Places to Visit => Topic started by: Gabriela on February 26, 2016, 02:33:09 PM
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Since I’ve been enjoying many plants and landscapes posted here I will contribute with some images from the Carpathian Mts (Romania)- Bucegi Massif and the surroundings.
The problem is that this is my former ‘base camp’ place and since I often return, there are too many plant pictures to choose from.
The Bucegi Massif represents the eastern-most range of the South Carpathian Mts. in Romania, with the highest peak – Omu Peak rising to 2514 m. The main ridge of the massif runs south from Omu Peak and then widens, forming the Bucegi Plateau, about 10 km in length and 3 km wide. From the Plateau, spectacular panoramic views open toward deep glacial valleys, rough ridges, and other mountain ranges.
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The alpine meadows are rich with flowers and various grasses throughout the summer.
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Worth the visit just for itself is the endemic, extremely fragrant Rhododendron myrtifolius. It can be found at 1800-2200 m usually on slopes and ridges with northern or northeastern exposition; on siliceous rocks, rarely limestone.
I noticed I wrote 'Rhododendrom' on the images but I don't know how to change it on the uploaded images...
edit by maggi : don't worry , the search engine only find the text not the file names!
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There are many trails to hike, passages to rock climb and also access by cable car to the plateau (not very reliable especially on windy days…). There is so much to botanize around that one can spend easily few days only in the plateau.
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Sometimes in July (depending on the year) in localized area you can admire large numbers of bright pink clumps of Pedicularis verticillata. Among the alpine Gentians, you can find Gentiana frigida which can be considered a bit rare; another one, the endemic Gentiana phlogifolia can be encountered more often.
Quite a few Campanula species are present and in the plateau particularly the little Campanula alpina is worth a mention.
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The mountain orchid lovers will find -- if in a lucky streak or they know where to look for them, the little but heavily fragrant vanilla orchids: Nigritella rubra and Nigritella nigra. In the local language their name translates as ‘the brave man’s blood’. They are considered critically endangered (not only in the Carpaths) and are usually found at elevations over 1800 m.
Another little plant, Eritrichium nanum ssp. jankae is always a nice find; as are Soldanella pusilla and Primula minima. Although widely present in other European mts., large groups of Geum reptans rolling down the hills make for an impressive sight.
I will continue after deciding on more images.
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Looking forward to more, Gabriela!
This is a white spot on my map ;)
what kind of accommodations can you get around there?
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It is a very accessible region Trond, safe and surely one will spend less than hiking in the Alps ;)
About 2 hours from the International Airport in Bucharest and plenty of accomodations - hotels, bed & breakfast,..in the nearby ski resorts of Sinaia, Predeal.
For hanging around the plateau best to stay in the smaller town of Busteni - you can wake up every morning looking straight at the Caraiman Mt. :) The Cross seen on top is a 30 m high monument built in 1926 as a token of remembrance of First World War heroes.
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And I was distracted from my task, so just two more images -
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Great report Gabriela, another invitation to travel.
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Thanks Yann, there are so many places and plants to see! and so little time and/or money. The virtual travel is such a good replacement in many cases, but
if you need more details let me know.
I will add just few more images. There are quite few others Saxifraga sp., including the endemic S. demissa but since I don’t have an image with the flowers I will show Saxifraga rotundifolia ssp. heucherifolia.
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The descent is preferably on foot because there are so many species to be seen. Once in a while is best to step outside the marked trails and hike on the narrow paths like shown in the image (the resolution doesn’t show it I think so I color mark it). They are called ‘alpine brâna’ and are mostly maintained by the chamois, black bears, and occasional hikers.
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This way you may find even more interesting plants like the fragrant Iris ruthenica, which is a bit elusive otherwise.
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Thanks for posting these Gabriela, most interesting.
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Paths maintained by use by BEARS?????!!!!!!
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That "maintained by bears" caught my eye too, Maggi.
But what a wonderful place to explore! Thanks for the pictures and description, Gabriela.
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Apart from the bears :o ..... the countryside is very beautiful and the plants stunning - this is surely a wonderful place to explore. 8)
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Thank you all. The Carpathian Mts. weren't that much explored in the past as other eastern European Mts. (for obvious reasons) but they offer
an extremely rich flora and many endemic species, of which I was able to show only few really.
Not many areas being accessible by cars brings also the advantage of enjoying pristine, wild landscapes and I hope will remain as such.
Now about the bears - bear bells clipped to the backpack are advisable at all times, especially in certain areas.
It is very rare to encounter them in the open, and they use the alpine paths mainly to retreat to their hibernating places high up, and to come down of course ;D
For ex. in the image I showed I wouldn't venture in October-Nov. and early spring, but at those times the weather is not very friendly for such hikes anyway.
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It is a very accessible region Trond, safe and surely one will spend less than hiking in the Alps ;)
About 2 hours from the International Airport in Bucharest and plenty of accomodations - hotels, bed & breakfast,..in the nearby ski resorts of Sinaia, Predeal.
For hanging around the plateau best to stay in the smaller town of Busteni - you can wake up every morning looking straight at the Caraiman Mt. :) The Cross seen on top is a 30 m high monument built in 1926 as a token of remembrance of First World War heroes.
Sounds very tempting 8) When is the best time of the year? July? (Not skiing ;) )
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Sounds very tempting 8) When is the best time of the year? July? (Not skiing ;) )
Considering the mild winter of this year + the early spring - at lower alt. Hepatica transsilvanica and Daphne mezereum were in flower last week - I would say mid to late June, early July to be sure you'll catch many species in flower. If you decide we'll talk later in more detail.
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Considering the mild winter of this year + the early spring - at lower alt. Hepatica transsilvanica and Daphne mezereum were in flower last week - I would say mid to late June, early July to be sure you'll catch many species in flower. If you decide we'll talk later in more detail.
Hmm. I am tempted but can't before about 10th of July this year. Maybe a bit late?
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Hmm. I am tempted but can't before about 10th of July this year. Maybe a bit late?
Well, you can never catch everything in flower no matter what. There is good variation in altitude that extends the flowering period for many species.
This year the vegetation is really advanced so I cannot say precisely. I can give you a seed list to collect ;D
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Gabriela,
I finally had an opportunity to check out your photographs from the Bucegi Massif.
How beautiful and interesting! 8)
Thank you for sharing. I look forward to seeing more plants and scenery if you get the opportunity. I would love to learn more about the plants and the region in general. I am as likely to travel to the Bucegi Massif as Tuvo - i.e. it is not going to happen. One good reason why I enjoyed your postings. Very 8)
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Well, you can never catch everything in flower no matter what. There is good variation in altitude that extends the flowering period for many species.
This year the vegetation is really advanced so I cannot say precisely. I can give you a seed list to collect ;D
If I go and if I come across ripe seeds I will collect some, list or no list ;D
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Paths maintained by use by BEARS?????!!!!!!
I admired your reaction to the "bears". You, the inhabitants of the Britain, are not personally familiar with this animal, the brown bear, Ursus arctos. How long time ago it became extinct in your area? Centuries?
The Carpathian population of brown bear is big and present in every country having a share in those mountains, including Poland. The Polish population is really small (about 80 individuals), yet growing. In the lowlands of Poland bears became extinct in 1800's.
But the Roumanian bear population is between 4000 and 6000! So I believe, they are numerous enough to help maintain mountain paths.
This animal is not completely safe while accidentally meeting a hiker, but the risk is low. The risk rises while meeting a female with offsprings (mainly in the spring).
During my numerous hikes in Carpathians in Poland I have never met a bear, but I have seen a footprint on the snow.
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1000 years, Jacek! The thought of sufficient bears to be making good paths was quite a thought! ;) ;D
I am, however, quite confident that one is NOT going to meet one behind every tree and rock on a trail in that beautiful scenery!
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Robert,
I am glad I reciprocate a bit the enjoyment I get from your explorations! Life is too short to travel everywhere. So little time and so many wonderful place and plants! Here is an edelweiss for you:
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Regarding the bears, again - going back anyone can see I said maintained by "chamois, bears and occasional hikers". If to break it down, it would be let's say for 25 chamois - 1 bear and 10 hikers.
Although the bear population is high as Jacek said, they are not all on the same mountain and there are lots of mountain ranges in Romania besides Bucegi.
But since we are talking bears, this is a photo someone sent it to me a few years ago ;D
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I thought only suitors used that way ???
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Gabriela,
The photograph of the bear is priceless! ;D
I am still laughing and smiling when I think of this image. :)
It make me think of the raven that started and drove off in a car (truck). This thing has to be on the internet somewhere. I saw it years ago on the American PBS. Then there is the bear that walked into a super market in Alaska in the middle of the day. I do not watch TV but it was on the American CBS nightly news. :)
Anyway very 8) Thank you for sharing.
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I thought only suitors used that way ???
Does it bring back memories? ;D :)
Gabriela,
The photograph of the bear is priceless! ;D
That's why I kept it too; it will make me smile no matter what :) I still have to see a raven driving a truck!
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Does it bring back memories? ;D :)
That's why I kept it too; it will make me smile no matter what :) I still have to see a raven driving a truck!
I once saw a two-headed Giraffe. :o
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2931/14422008927_47198ddd8e_z_d.jpg)
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Gabriela, your picture of the bear is priceless. All sorts of scenarios come to mind!
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Perhaps they need a cat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjhPX2Tgp0o&ebc=ANyPxKpwgIT8qWl9ny7z9QCBP1bv8V8FU3sDEuKyhJpyU6WTqlkzTu7aSoVeVqvGE27XA417mYrn8kK-5U_l4m6zUNncexHlTA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjhPX2Tgp0o&ebc=ANyPxKpwgIT8qWl9ny7z9QCBP1bv8V8FU3sDEuKyhJpyU6WTqlkzTu7aSoVeVqvGE27XA417mYrn8kK-5U_l4m6zUNncexHlTA)
edit by maggi : The link showed a message that the video had been disabled to play outside Youtube so I amended the link to lead to it there. Pretty fierce little cat!!
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Very amusing :) Almost everyone there has a sort of guardian dog around the house.
Which is a think the explanation of the image - the bear, who seem to be a youngster, got scared, started to climb and thought about the attic like a place to hide. ???
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I think the bear is a teenager - climbing in the window after being out all night!
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You may be right with this one Maggi! ;D
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Does it bring back memories? ;D :)
I had to use the front door - no first floor. :-\