Val is hoping to take part in Trek Sudetes in aid of Oxfordshire Mind in June 2013.  In order to participate in this trek Val needs to raise £1,500 through sponsorship and fundraising.

 

The funds you kindly donate will help start Val off on her fundraising mission!

 

Here’s a note from Val...  “As many of you will know, I took part in the Slovenia Charity Trek for Oxfordshire Mind and I can honestly say it has transformed my life completely.  The fundraising can be hard work, but the sense of achievement, the team spirit, the friends I have made and the support I have had from Oxfordshire Mind make it all worth it.  I want to continue trekking for Mind as it is my way of contributing something back to this worthy cause.”

 

Oxfordshire Mind supports people with mental and emotional health problems such as anxiety, bereavement, depression, loneliness, post-natal depression, recovery from breakdowns, stress and schizophrenia.

 

Registered Charity No. 261476  www.oxfordshire-mind.org.uk

 

Here’s some more about the challenge that lies ahead...

 

The Sudetes is a mountain range in Central Europe. It is also known as the Sudeten (German) or Sudety (Czech and Polish) Mountains. Imagine wide open spaces with picturesque sweeping valleys; mountain pine covered slopes providing magnificent views and trekking with a great team leaving you “pleasantly tired” - that exceptional feeling familiar to all those who trekking and the great outdoors. Each day of the trek is filled with breathtaking views and a chance to experience the common culture and history of Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany as the Sudetes is the place where these intriguing three countries come to meet.

 

Day1: Depart UK to Prague Depart London for flight to Prague.

 

Day 2: Jakuszyce - Spindlerovy Mlyn 8hrs After breakfast we trek directly from our guesthouse on a trail which leads through wild, picturesque forests, wetlands, plateaus and the onto the main ridge fantastic views. After a smooth ascent we stop for a rest at the mountain hostel Hala Szrenicka. Then we cross the border into the Czech Republic via Twarożnik (granite blocks) and head towards the Vosecka Bouda (Czech mountain hostel) until we reach the source of the Elbe river (one of the greatest rivers in Europe). Following this we trek down through Labsky Dul to Spindlerovy Mlyn (a well known, charming mountain town), whilst experiencing beautiful panoramic views, waterfalls and amazing rock formations along the way.

 

Day 3: Spindlerovy Mlyn - Pec pod Sniezkou 6-7hrs After breakfast, we ascend up to the Krakonos peak. The we follow the Old Bucharova path to a mountain hostel, Lucni Bouda. Here we have time for a rest and a meal whilst absorbing the fantastic panoramic views and open spaces. Then we walk on a trail which leads above Upska Jama and Obri Dul – there you can see precipices with walls approx. 400m high. Once we get to the eastern wall of Upska Jama we start walking down to the mountain village Pec pod Sniezkou where we spend our third night in the mountains.

 

Day 4: Pec pod Sniezkou - Karpacz 7hrs After breakfast we get direct access to green and then yellow trail with a smooth ascent to the highest peak in Sudetes – Sniezka. Here we can absorb the fantastic views surrounding us. On the top we cross the border and once again we find ourselves on the Polish side of the mountains. We walk down to Rownia pod Sniezką and trek above Maly and Wielki Staw (mountain ponds); then a smooth descent to the border of Karpacz – a beautiful mountain town. Here we stop at the twelfth century Lutheran temple Wang. After a short rest and temple visit (optional) we have a 3 hour deluxe coach trip to our hotel in Prague. Here we celebrate with a gala dinner in the hotel.

 

Day 5: Free time in Prague After breakfast, we have free time or an optional 4-5 hour guided sightseeing program: Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Old Town City Hall, Powder Gate.

 

Day 6: Depart Prague we have a 30-40 minute transfer to the airport for our departure flight back to London.