Day 80: Mt Hoverla - it can only go down from here ;)

I had an early start and discovered some really nice campspots only a few hundred meters from where I had camped. I walked up Mt. Patros (2020 m) but it was a very nice smooth hike up. It was a beautiful morning and nobody was there. However, when I descended steeply, the first people were hiking up. 

The next mountain was Hoverla, the highest mountain of the Ukrain with 2061 m. When I walked up, it looked like the mountain was under attack. There were hordes of people walking up from all 3 possible sides and it was like a little circus on top. Did I really say Mt. Blyznytsya was crowded yesterday?! So I started to descend quickly and continue with anothet nice ridgewalk. Much smoother to walk and the first time it was like a real hiking trail, and not a 4wheel drive track. Still lots of people, but at least they were spread out. Lake Nesamovyte seemed very popular, for a good reason. The area was very beautiful. I felt like home: nice mountains!

In the early afternoon there was the usual thunderstorm again. just that I had a really good timing: it started to rain after I set up my tent. It wasn't much rain but it was nice to sit in the tent and eat cookies and halva :)

When the weather looked better, I continued a bit. On the way I talked to a group of 4 people, because the 2 girls spoke English.

I walked up Pip Ivan (2028 m), after which my route will descent considerably. It might be the last spot with Internet for a while, so I camped up there. The views were great, but it was way too busy in my opinion, with a group of campers listening to music till late!

Another beautiful day in the mountains comes to an end and I can't believe how lucky I am to be able to do this!

One of the usual morning surprises

Mt Patros  (2020 m)

Crowded Mt Hoverla (2061 m)

The ridge I will follow

Looking back towards Hoverla

Here comes the rain...

My new shoes won't last long. That's fine since I have a dip in my right pinky toe already from something in the shoe. And I got blisters - very unusual!

Pip Ivan (2020 m)