Tatra Mountains. Thick layer of snow, avalanche “two” in the higher parts of the mountains

IN Tatra Mountains There are difficult winter tourist conditions, the Tatra National Park announced on Sunday. According to data IMWM, at 7 a.m. the thickness of the snow cover on Kasprowy Wierch was 63 centimeters. 65 cm was located in the Five Ponds Valley, and 49 cm in Hala Gąsienicowa. It was also white Zakopanewhere 9 cm of snow was recorded.

As TVN24 reporter Konrad Borusiewicz said, “you can already feel winter” in Kasprowy. Plumes of snow rose above the ridges, indicating strong winds, and there were deep drifts in the depressions.

“There is fresh snow on the trails, which is impenetrable in the higher parts of the Tatra Mountains. In places, the wind has created deep snowdrifts. Navigating in such conditions requires experience, the ability to assess the local avalanche risk and adapting the route to the current conditions. Many trails are icy,” they said. on Sunday, Tatra National Park services.

On Saturday, the second level of avalanche danger was announced in the Tatra Mountains for slopes above 1,900 meters above sea level. It means that an avalanche can be triggered with a high additional load, especially on steep slopes. Smaller avalanches are possible on their own. In the lower parts, however, the avalanche “number one” applies.

Tatra Volunteer Rescue Service rescuer Grzegorz Bargiel said in an interview with TVN24 that tourist conditions in the Tatra Mountains are very uneven, but even in the lower parts of the mountains we should be aware of the threat. “The wind is blowing very strongly (…) it is carrying snow and this situation will get worse,” he said.

If we are going to higher parts of the mountains, it is necessary to have winter tourist equipment such as: crampons, ice ax, helmet and avalanche ABC: avalanche detector, probe and shovel. TPN also reminded that the days are getting shorter – you should plan your trip in such a way as to return from the trail before dusk – it is worth having a headlamp in your backpack.

In recent days, the temperature near the Tatra Mountains has dropped below zero degrees Celsius, which allowed snow cannons to be activated. The ski station at Harenda in Zakopane started artificial snow on the slopes on Sunday. Cannons are also working on Grapa in Czarna Góra. In the coming days, snowfall will also start in other resorts in Podhale.

– We plan to launch the ski lifts at the beginning of December, on the first or second weekend, but it all depends on the weather. We are positive because there are forecasts of snowfall and low temperatures – said Krzysztof Gąsiorek from the Grapa Ski ski station in Czarna Góra. According to the owners of ski stations, if such weather persists, the first ski lifts in Podhale will start on December 6.

Konrad Borusiewicz said that the first skiers have already appeared on Kasprowy. As the reporter emphasized, the ski season has not officially started yet, which may result in a warning from TPN employees.