This year's mountain tourism competitions within the Ștafeta Munților (the Mountain Relay) National Sports Tourism Championship will begin in May and end in September, with seven stages and an awards ceremony.
The Hai pe Munte! Iași Mountain Tourism Association is organising, from 26 to 28 May 2017, in the Ceahlău Massif, the first stage of the "Ștafeta Munților" 2017 National Sports Tourism Championship, under the name of the "Hai pe Munte!" Trophy
Anyone can take part in the event, whether they wish to join the activities or simply spend a weekend in nature.
The tent camp will be set up at Camping Leon, at the entrance to the resort of Durău; accommodation at various guesthouses in the area is also an option.
The activities will take place in a national park, and the participants will observe the rules of the Ceahlău National Park, which will be made known at the technical briefing. Lighting fires is forbidden. There will be a single large fireplace.
The children who, together with their parents, take part in the category intended for them will learn how to find their way in the forest with the help of a compass, what a hike means and what a united team means, and the bravest will recite poems, sing and perform plays.
The "Hai pe Munte" Trophy will take place over three days:
The first day will be dedicated to welcoming the participants and registering them for the competition. Registration will be by age category but also according to the participants' physical fitness.
On the second day you will enjoy mountain-themed activities, including a hike, where your steps will take you along well-trodden or lesser-known paths in the Ceahlău Massif, where you will find along your way:
Duruitoarea Waterfall, a 25 m high waterfall structured in 2 steps, the upper one of 20 metres and the lower one of 5 metres.
Piatra Lăcrimată (the Weeping Stone), whose legend tells us of a grieving mother who still mourns the death of her youngest son.
Cabana Dochia, with its dominant position and total visibility to the east, south-east and south, is the main chalet of the Ceahlău Mountains and the only high-altitude accommodation base.
The luckiest of the competitors will reach Toaca Peak (1,904 m), the second highest peak in the Ceahlău Massif, the highest being Ocolașul Mare Peak (1,907 m), which is inaccessible to tourists, having been declared a nature reserve.
Panaghia Rock, which still speaks to us today of the love that the princely dignitary Radu Vâlcu bore for the beautiful Panaghia, daughter of the pârcălab (castellan) Huru of the fortress of Suceava.
Cabana Fântânele, located at 1,220 m on the red stripe trail linking the resort of Durău to Toaca Peak.
The competition categories are: Family, Open, Juniors, Veterans, Seniors, Women and Elite.
For the professionals, the organisers have prepared the Cross-Trail event, with a 5 km course, where participation is individual and by category.
Those taking part in the cross-country race cannot take part in the other competition events, with the exception of the cultural event.
Event supported by: Ceahlău National Park, the Neamț Public Mountain Rescue Service (Salvamont), Decathlon, Maia Outdoor, BigPanda, Societatea Agricolă Astra-Cramele Hermeziu, Quartz Lounge, Union Cars (Peugeot, Citroën and Suzuki dealer), AlfaTravel Travel Agency, Shatter Iași, Munții Noștri, Cabana Dochia, Cabana Fântânele, Camping Leon, Marketing Romania.
Registration, by team and competition category, can be done up to the day the competition begins, at the organisers' tent, before the technical briefing, and participation is at your own risk. The competition rules and more information about the event can be found at www.stafetamuntilor.ro.
