Expedition Report
The objectives of this expedition were to complete a self-sufficient, except for food requirements, bike-packing expedition, from Suveava near the north of the Romanian Carpathians mountain range, tracing around the Transylvanian plateau through the range to Sibiu, a journey of over 750km. The team were to travel with rock climbing equipment to ascend challenging multiple routes and crags throughout the Carpathians.
The three Imperial undergraduates, who completed their adventure from mid-September to early October 2017, did not get off to a good start with one of bikes suffering damage on the first day. However, after repairs provided by a local bike shop, the group reached the Rarau Mountains the next day. The sites stayed at on the journey from Suveava to Sibiu were Pietrele Doamnei, Ceahlău Massif, Bicaz Gorges, Hasmas Mountains, Miercrea Ciuc, Brasoz, Cheile Râşnoavei, Bran, Campulung, Curtea de Arges, Transfăgărășan, and Cârțișoara.
The group encountered many of bolted climbing routes, boulders everywhere and amazing rock structures, and key climbs completed included Cabana Rarău (1,500m), the Via Ferrata route, various sports climbs and small single and multi-pitch routes. There were also some falls to be endured whilst climbing. The cycling at times involved negotiating muddy rough paths, and steep gravel tracks, whilst the team had to take measures when wild camping in the Carpathians to avoid any threat from the European brown bears in the area.
The team crossed the Carpathian mountain range four times on their journey and also cycled through Romania’s second highest mountain pass, the Transfăgărășan pass, (2,000m), which provided a beautiful sunset scene. In addition, the travellers found the Romanian people very friendly and willing to help them with offers of food and shelter.
