Legend has it that a very long time ago, the people of these parts were ruled by a much-loved and respected king, who was called Măritul (the Exalted One). Already an old man, he had no children. So he decided to choose an heir to the throne himself, in order to avoid fighting after his death. To this end he organised a contest in which young men from every corner of the country would compete in trials of strength and wisdom. At a sheepfold in the mountains lived a sturdy shepherd named Brăduț. Hearing of Măritul's contest for the throne, the shepherd's companions urged him to go and try his luck too. He proved to be the most just, strong and wise of all the young men. And so the Great Rock, on the paths that Brăduț had walked, was named Piatra Craiului (the King's Rock) in honour of the shepherd who by his own powers became King.
The Temerarii Alpine Club invites you to walk the paths trodden by Brăduț, in a dream land full of legends and wilderness. Stage IX of the Ștafeta Munților (the Mountain Relay) National Championship promises unforgettable scenery, in a massif that not everyone has touched.
Competition dates: 4–6 September 2015
Venue: Piatra Craiului Mountains, Gura Râului, Zărnești
Access routes: - The town of Zărnești, 27 km from Brașov.
- By rail: It is linked to Brașov by a secondary, private railway line; the train timetable on the Brașov-Zărnești route can be consulted at www.regiotrans.ro
- By road: from București on DN1 to the entrance to Predeal, then on the DN73A route Pârâul Rece-Râșnov-Zărnești, or from Brașov on DN73 to Râșnov, then on DN 73A to Zărnești
- ATTENTION! The regular Brașov-Zărnești bus services leave from bus station no. 2, Brașov
Competition categories:
1. FAMILY teams of 3 people, with at least one adult and compulsorily at least one child aged 13 or under;
2. JUNIORS teams of 3 people, of either sex, aged between 14 and 18 (completed years)
3. WOMEN teams of three women, regardless of age.
4. VETERANS teams of 3 people aged over 45, of either sex
5. OPEN teams of 3 people, regardless of age and sex. Times for this category are calculated as touring times;
6. ELITE teams of 3 people, of either sex
Competition programme:
Friday (4 September): 09:00-22:00 - Arrival of participants
22:30-23:00 - Technical briefing
23:00-24:00 - Campfire
24:00 - Lights out
Saturday (5 September): 8:00 - START of the competition events
20:00 - Posting of the first results / settling of appeals
21:30 - Posting of the final results
22:00 - Cultural event
Sunday (6 September): 11:30 - Prize-giving ceremony
12:30 - Cleaning up the camp and departure of participants
Competition events:
MOUNTAIN RAID: a mountain route of medium difficulty, lasting a maximum of 7 hours, with an elevation difference of approximately 1,050 m. Participation is in teams of 3 members. Entry to this event is not allowed without HIKING BOOTS, as the descent is over rock!
Important: The Family category will have a suitable route and will not reach the summit!
ORIENTEERING: azimuth event; each team will nominate one member to complete the course. The maximum length will be 2 km, with an elevation difference of 50 m.
THEORY KNOWLEDGE: 15 multiple-choice questions about the competition area. All questions are of low difficulty and have ONE SINGLE CORRECT ANSWER.
You will find the questions on the website www.stafetamuntilor.ro.
CLIMBING: the team will nominate one member to complete the climbing route; he or she will receive a helmet and will be belayed. Medium difficulty level; this event counts towards the overall ranking of the competition.
MARATHON: We want to keep the marathon tradition, so this year too you will have a marathon event. The team will nominate one member, or 2, or all 3, who will take part in this event. The marathon will be approximately 5 km and will go through the spectacular Zărnești Gorge (Prăpăstiile Zărneștilor), so you can also see one of the tourist attractions of the area. The marathon will start from the climbing event and will run only along the forest road to the camp. This event counts towards the overall ranking of the competition.
IMPORTANT! - There is accommodation available in the area.
- There is mobile phone signal in the camp area!
Compulsory equipment:
Individual: hiking boots, rain cape, whistle, torch
Team: hiking rucksack, water bottle, first-aid kit, fire source.
VERY IMPORTANT! THIS YEAR THE TROPHY WILL BE A CHALLENGE TROPHY (from year to year it will change hands depending on the club that wins the stage). IF A CLUB WINS THE TROPHY 3 YEARS IN A ROW, IT WILL BELONG TO THAT CLUB FOR GOOD.
Other information: Frunza Roxana (president) - 0732893343
Emanuel Ionescu (vice-president) - 0722268294
Cristian Jitaru (vice-president) - 0759016010
We look forward to seeing you, young and old, in a fairytale massif, so that together we can create our own story in the Piatra Craiului Massif.
Bears are NOT included in the camp; if you want bears you can bring them from home, big, fluffy and made of plush.
