CHKO Jeseníky

On the morning of June 2, 2018 (Saturday), we arrive in the city of Jeseník around nine o'clock. The night was a bit exhausting, sleeping on train stations and various trains was not very restful. It was especially annoying to deal with a security person at the train station in Pardubice, whose only task seemed to be keeping people from sleeping in the station hall. So I spent most of the 7-hour layover there in a semi-conscious state. The start of the day is accordingly relaxed. Since it's drizzling upon arrival, I decide to have breakfast directly at Jeseník train station. To get somewhat energized, I have my customary 11 o'clock coffee a bit earlier. After a phone call with my grandparents, we go to the nearest shopping option to stock up on supplies for the upcoming hiking days. When we arrive at Kaufland, the sun is even shining a bit, and I take the opportunity to call my parents in the garden. Then we do some shopping and have a small lunch on-site before starting the ascent into the local low mountains. I skip a visit to the town of Zlaté Hory (which was called Freiwaldau until 1945) as the first impression suggests that real existing socialism has wreaked havoc here. So we head southwest directly out of the city and soon find ourselves confronted with the first climb shortly after one o'clock. After a good half hour, we have conquered it. The next ample hour is spent leisurely ascending along well-established forest paths. To refill our drinking water, I take a brief descent and we take a break at Javořiký stream at around 3 o'clock. After a short stop, it starts drizzling and we seek shelter in a kind of haystack. I doze off shortly afterwards, and the daily stage comes to an early end after almost 9 km. In the evening, it pours quite heavily, and I'm quite glad to have a dry accommodation.

When I open my eyes on Sunday morning, it's raining, and without feeling guilty, I turn around again. Breakfast is not served until late morning, and by the time we are finally ready to go, it's already half past twelve. The ascent to Keprník is first on the agenda, which at 1423 m is the highest peak in the immediate vicinity. Since we chose the wrong forest path right from the start, we have to venture through the undergrowth for a few hundred meters. But we find the correct path again and can catch our breath for the first time at Šumný around 2 o'clock, after overcoming about 400 meters of elevation. We need another hour and a half for the next almost 400 meters of elevation up to Keprník. Despite the increasing cloud cover, we enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains for a while and I strengthen myself with some Oblatky. Then we walk along the ridge for about 45 minutes. Below Červená hora, there is a small spring with a stone house built in 1400 (a kind of chapel). According to two young Czechs, it is also a pretty good place to stay overnight. So I decide to stay here until the next morning, especially since the precipitation becomes slightly heavier again.

Monday (June 4, 2018) starts quite cold. The warming sun, which Rango has already sought out when I wake up, does not reach the hut. Thus, leaving the cozy sleeping bag is correspondingly difficult. After eventually managing to do that, having breakfast, and packing up, we set off for the next mountain stage around half past eleven. It takes us about 45 minutes to descend to Červenohorské Sedlo (a kind of base station with several hotels, bus connections, and a few lifts), where I treat myself to a coffee in the sun. After a short break, we continue towards Praděd, the highest peak in this mountain range at 1491 m. Light precipitation occurs in a timely manner, sometimes even a little stronger. I put my backpack under the designated rain cover and make my way to the Švýcarná Hut in the next two hours. Here, it is time for a little break under a large umbrella. The sight of my backpack once again makes me doubt the integrity of the outdoor industry. Despite the proper and fitting rain cover, the thing is soaking wet. Can't think of anything... After half an hour of irritation and catching my breath, we continue towards Pradéd. I skip the last 30 meters of elevation up to the summit, as it is a dead end up there and the expected view is probably not thrilling due to low-hanging clouds. After covering a good 18 kilometers, I finally set up our overnight camp shortly before 5 o'clock at an altitude of around 1400 meters near the summit of Vysoká Hole. In the evening, the sun comes out again, and we enjoy the view of the beautiful area where we ended up.