Trivia

Tales of The Tatras Peaks

Other episodes of the documentary will show you the scenes from Lomnický Peak, Rysy, Ostrý and Javorový Peak, Mengusovské Peaks and Prostredný Peak. We will take you on an adventure up the Lomnický Peak, which was, at the beginning of the 18th century, recognized as "unconquerable". The mountain guides will take you there along an old path of the most beautiful mountain wall in the whole High Tatras. But even more, you will have the opportunity to admire the least conquered summit of the Ostrý Peak. The mountain climbers will guide you through the rocky paths of Prostredný Peak and Javorový Peak. Step by step, the documentary makes you acquainted with the astonishing scenery of one of the most beautiful (even though smallest), mountains in the world.

Lomnický Peak
The first person who reached the summit of Lomnický Peak is the famous English traveller and scientist Robert Townson. It was precisely on the 17th August 1793, when he decided together with two other mountain guides, to carry out his courageous plan – to conquer the highest summit of the Carpathians. Towson's barometer indicated they were standing 2634 meters above the sea level which seemed unbelievable. The measurements were however correct.

The Lomnický Peak is mostly known because for its observatory, which belongs to those three ones in the world that can measure the solar corona. A cable railroad leads to it. In 1941, when it was put into operation, it was supposed to be a technical uniqueness in the world.

Ostrý and Javorový Peak
Ostrý Peak is one of those summits of the High Tatras, which stayed unconquered during the beginning of the 20th century. The climbers in those times simply doubted the idea of a possibility to conquer it. One of those who doubted but nevertheless conquered it, was a 19 year old student from Krakow – Karol Englisch, who was later executed by the Gestapo in Stein.

Rysy
The Rysy Peaks belong to the most popular peaks of the Tatras. But it wasn't always like this. In summer 1840, the first people reached the top of Rysy. In 1899, the Polish Nobel Prize Holder – Marie Curie-Skłodowska, climbed the summit. Fourteen years later, Vladimír Iljič Lenin climbed the peak as well. In order to praise this historical event, mountain climbing adventures to Rysy, started to be organized. The question is, if Mr. Lenin really reached this peak...

Mengusovské Peaks
Letʼs take a look on the Polish side of the Tatras and the very first climbing approaches to Mengusovské Peaks which are considered to be a turning point in the Hight Tatra mountaineering. In charge of the groundbreaking expedition, that rocked the world of climbers, wasnʼt anyone experienced, but sixteen year old Ludwik Chalubinski, with guides Wojciech Roj and Maciej Sieczka.

Prostredný Peak
Prostredný Peak is mentioned for the first time in an old Latin document from 1412. Its original name was Kahlberg and was firstly mentioned in 1830 in a travel book of the German geographer and military topographer – Albrecht Sydow. The first people who reached the top of the peak were Edmund Viliam Téry, together with his Viennese friend Paul Schwartz. Viliam Téry was also the one, who left a message in a bottle written in German and Hungarian and built the rock pyramid over it. Attractive for mountaineers is its western wall. In compact and photography friendly granite, we will follow young climbers, who will introduce us to their point of view on climbing in High Tatras.