Follow the Mountains : Day 111: Busteni and a forest walk to rocky mountains

Yesterday I had a good nights sleep in the forest above Busteni, despite some stress in the evening about bears in the region.

I had written with Vladi, the guy from the accommodation in Bukarest, and told him where I am tenting. He totally freaked out and was worried about me, because he had just seen something about a bear problem in Busteni in the new. So he actually called the mountain rescue!!! Shortly after, they called me and wanted to know if I am fine. I told them I put my food in a tree away from my tent and asked if they think there is a problem The guy was very friendly, said I should be fine but asked me for my coordinates, so they would directly know where I am, if I have problems. When he saw my coordinates, he even joked around that I won't see the sunrise from my campspot ;)

Then the Gendarmerie contacted me. But when I told them, I am fine, it was all right...

I was more alert than usual, but slept very well :)

I still can't understand that everybody in Romania is so worried about the bears but totally ignores the problem with the dogs, although nearly EVERYBODY can tell a story about being bitten... Bears in towns might be problem. But also only because we take away their living space and make it easy for them to get food in town dur to many open litter bins! In nature they usually just want your food or attack if they are scared because you surprise them. They will try to get out of your way if they can. Not so much the dogs. They will try to defend their territory or sheep flock and even attack, when there is no threat!

OK, enough of that. I will never understand this huge fear of bears, especially when they are black bears...

I got up really late today and left camp past 9 am. It was a sunny day and nice hike down the forest to Busteni. I got my first glimpse of the huge rocky Bucegi mountains and considered taking a daytime up there. I had decided to go to Bulgaria next and hike the Kom Emine Trail, which was part of my hike to Istanbul anyways. I will have to take several busses and trains to get there, but thought I should make use of the nice weather and hike in Busteni.

However, it was 1 pm until I had found a more or less cheap place in town and had checked in. So it was a little late to make it up to the mountain tops, especially since I still wanted organize a few things in the evening. I still headed towards the mountains, just with a few things, so hiking up wasn't too bad ;) I made it up to the end of the forest below Mt Omu, before I had to turn around.

I did shop on my way back to my room and now I am trying to figure out, how to continue in Bulgaria and if I want to stay another night, so I can do a real day hike up to the Bucegi mountains tomorrow

Lots of pictures today, since I have WiFi and electricity ;)