In May 2024, the tourist season was around the corner, and the mountains were still covered in snow. I was waiting for the snow to melt on the mountain passes to welcome groups to the Accursed Mountains. One day, I received an email from Tom from the Netherlands, who had drafted a bold itinerary. After a few messages and calls, we decided to take on the itinerary together, with me as the guide.
It was a wild tour, far from civilization. We packed adventure food and everything else needed for camping. On the first night, we had a barbecue at our campsite and got to know each other better – me, Tom, and Tomas. Our backpacks felt like we were carrying ancient relics, but heading toward the peaks made the load feel lighter.
By the second night, we reached the Jezerca Lakes. The view from the lakes looked like a live painting, and Tom’s adventure food tasted like the best meal we’d ever had.
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The third day was the most challenging. We climbed towards 2200 meters, and in some parts, the snow hadn’t melted yet. Walking on snow felt like playing minesweeper, but I made the first steps in the exposed areas so Tom and Tomas could pass safely. When necessary, I even went back and forth carrying their backpacks. After crossing the most dangerous part, we stopped at a hidden spring I remembered from past tours. At that moment, the spring felt like a small treasure chest. The water was fresh and precious as gold. After a day of endless downhill trekking, our knees were screaming, but we finally reached a shepherd’s hut where we spent a peaceful night in our sleeping bags.
The fourth day was easier, and the trails were full of people. After three days in the wild, this day felt like a walk in the park. We finished our loop at the point where we had started and spent our last night camping. The next morning, Tom and Tomas set off for home with memories that will stay with us forever.
In the end, our adventure was filled with exhaustion but also laughter. A particular part of the itinerary will now be called “Tom’s Climb” to honor his epic slips in the snow. Sometimes, mountain tourism gives you not only breathtaking views but also great stories to tell.