Experience- A Visit to Mount Grofa (Ukraine) - How You Can Enjoy The Most There?

Winter Hike in Mt.Grofa

Soon, year 2017 was about to finish and I was on to my new journey. Always wanted to see the snowy peaks and village habitat in Ukrainian winters.

Day 1 (28.12.2017)

At fort night 5:30, i woke up, made myself ready to the local bus station of Chernivtsi. At 7:30 bus was on the way to Ivano-Frankivsk.I took a little nap, until it was dark out. We had a halt in Kolomiya, the magical town right from the story books. Narrow european roads, clock tower, elderly people riding on bicycle and carrying products in its basket.

Around 11 o' clock, we arrived Ivano-Frankivsk. The lady, my travelling parnter Miranda was waiting for me there, she had arrived from Odessa.We met up and caught a bus to small town, Kalush. The real jouurney was about to happen from Kalush.

It was an old soviet bus, stopping by every single village and climbing up the hill to last village called Osmoloda.Very fine rocky roads, that it felt like riding a camel.Lots of locals hopping On & Off the bus. People with the eatables and presents for upcoming New Year's Eve. Interesting talks and gossips among locals and some of them were amazed to see me, a bearded foreigner, dark tanned. Well, I was going there, where no Asian has been yet.

After long 6 hours of travelling, we reached to Osmoloda. The roads were muddy and streets were dark. The house owner, Mr. Volodimir was expecting us on the bus stop, took us to his place and I had a good talk with him. He is funny and honest guy.

Day 2 (29.12.2017)

First day in Osmoloda, has begun with rooster's crowing. Beautiful scenic view from window, surrounded by mountains, chilly breeze, farmers, locals taking care of their cattles. Sky was grey about to rain. Cooked me some eggs for a brunch and we were off to explore this beautiful village. Right next to village, river Moloda runs through the mountains. This captured frame reminds me of the Sylvester Satalon's movie Rambo-1.

After learning up the maps and the directions, decided to move towards Dariv. Mere 10-15 minutes of walk, a truck driver offered us a lift. This was going to be, my first experience with travelling in a truck. Old soviet truck carrier called KAMAZ, carrying woods from mountains. Sergiy, the driver, is a kind and friendly person. Obviously, he got bored of driving alone and was eager to have a conversation with us. He told us his best stories with passengers and funny moments. As he was very familiar with this area, showed us the valuable part of surroundings and related history. The pathway to clif was very narrow and rocky, after climbing to the 1100 mts. roads from muddy got snowy and later into heavily flowing brooks.

There we had to stop, we got time to take a glance at unseen by most people. Chilled brooks, conical trees, snowing and foggy mist. Sergiy climbed up the truck and started his crane to move and load the woods on his carrier. It got dark on the way back to Osmoloda. He shared his buns and beer with us, he was pleased to have us. At present, it is very rare to find a person with such simplicity and royalty like him. I am very thankful to Sergiy, for letting me have a beautiful and unexpected trip.

Day 3 (30.12.2017)

I got acquainted with the land lady Svitlana and her kids Lyubomir & Vadik. kids are very well-behaved, obedient and sincere to their parents. She has a 12 years old daughter, perhaps being such young, helps mother with household chores. Svitlana was keen to know about India, it's traditions, daily life and schooling there in India. She also offered me freshly cooked potato pancakes, those were yummy. After healthy breakfast, we packed our rucksacks and were to ready to trek 11kms and climb the neighbouring peak Grofa, at the height of 1748 mts.

Initially, trek was pretty normal like any other road, but soon it got to rocky trails with mud and frozen puddles. River and brooks were found on the way. Quiet sound of breeze, minute snow particles and trekking in the woods around peaks. Later, the climb got adventurous,as trek was fully covered with snow. The amazing view with mere 3 colours white snow, dark woods and blue sky. Until now, I had seen such views only in movies. It was heaven, felt myself near to almighty God.

We were unaware of the shelter at the peak, so we didn't carry any sleeping bags, nor equipments any. But, because of kind people, somehow we managed to stay up for a night in the log cabin. There I got acquainted with people, who felt to me as a Native.

First one to get acquaint with was the biker guy, Kostyan from Ukraine.It was pleasure to meet him, as he has been to Nepal and knows India very well to the core. He is very much into hinduism and Shiva. He shared his experiences about my countrymen and about meditation, that helped him to meet Lord Shiva and do Tandav (Lord Shiva's Happy Dance). I was able to clear some of his doubts about hindu beliefs and astrology. He offered his sleeping bag to Miranda.

There was a couple from Belarus, Volya & Valerii. Volya is an English teacher and her english is very impressive. I was excited to talk with them, because Belarus is some what native land to me. My elder brother had spent 6 years in Belarus, during his Medical studies in Vitebsk. Since, age of 14, I was familiar with this beautiful country and had watched it from videos and photos clicked by my brother. I was very happy to meet them. These cooked food for us too, luckily i had an Indian snack to share with them. Its puffed rice called as Sev-Mumra in India, though it was little spicy for them, but they liked it.

Neighbouring hall had people from Czechia and Ukraine. It was an opportunity to practice little Czech language, as I have been learning it. Czechs are skvelí (awesome). First, they offered tasty Czech Polevka of beans, pork and tasty sauce. Our conversation followed with different topics.

One of them was an orthopedic, Dr. Honza Emmer who's english is very good and that made me easier to talk. He explained and made me aware of my carelessness, for climbing up the peak without any equipments, I could have broken my limbs. He shared his experiences about India, as he had been to Kashmir, Shrinagar.

There were 2 more ladies Monika & Dana. And 2 jolly dudes Matouš & Kamil. Kamil has expertise in making accidents. These Czechs had arrived Ukraine in old Russian ambulance right from Czech Republic. Mere 2 kms entering Ukraine, he smashed their vehicle. Everyone of them were making fun of this incident.

Matouš is a good cook and also a good bartender. I enjoyed the cocktail that he offered me, vodka + freshly squished orange juice and water. He taught me few of the abusive words spoken in Czech. And also taught me Czech drinking traditions, like ordering stopicka in bar and making toasts like odpiše-tapiše. We had a good talk about nothing but everything.

Not long, we were talking about Czech politics, there entered Kostyan and started talking about Ukraine's. Eventually, both Honza and Kostyan were on a debate, whose President is more corrupt. Surprisingly, both of them wanted their own president to be worst. Ha, ha.. it was the funny moment.

There was also a company of young Ukrainian boys and a girl. Once they knew, that I can speak in Ukrainian, they were glad to see me. As it was little difficult form them to converse with Czechs due to language barrier. The girl, Marta loves kids and wants to be a teacher in kindergarten. Evan & Viktor are students, yet they have made their passion a side job. They often go on a hike and tutor raffting. These guys are adventurous.

Day 4 (31.12.2017)

Next morning, it was sunny out, kind of nature's sign to make me fresh start after tiresome trek and lots of jolly moments from last night. We clicked group photos, exchanged gifts with the golden wishes for coming New Year. I was back on the trail with lots of positivity and pleasant memories.

Descending the peak was little difficult in beginning. because of my improper shoes. Most of the trek down, I was sitting and sliding myself. On the way climbing down met up with few trekkers, greeting them Good afternoon, having small introductions and talk about the treks. One group was suprised to see me coming from India and also speaking good Ukrainian. Later ahead, met with group of 3 guys, relaxing and listening to Bob Marley, one of them was Sergiy, who had served in Army at the war-zone in East Ukraine. He gifted me his carbiner and passed his warm regards to India.

Arriving home, I found new friends. Vadim from Minsk, Yevgene & Nastya from Kharkiv. They invited me for few drinks. We had lot and lots of to converse about. We talked about culture, philosophy, traditions, religion, chemistry, politics. Later on, the house owner Mr. Volodimir too joined us and the lenghty lecture started on history and politics of Ukraine. I offered them sweet delicacy of Gujarat called Salampaak, which was made by my lovely mother. They liked it, for Natalya it was little spicy. Though its a sweet dish but has some spicies, which keeps one warm in cold winters.

It was New Year's Eve, which we celebrated together. First time in 8 years, I had celebrated New Year with locals and that too with proper traditions. Variety of food was prepared by Svitlana, champagne was toasted at 00:00 hrs and greeted a Happy New Year. After speech of president Poroshenko on television, everyone of us stood up for the National Anthem of Ukraine.

This was an amazing experience and a wonderful trip for me this year. I heartly thank to every single person, whom I met on this trip. Now, I have one more exciting story to share with everybody.

As it's said, ' All's Well That Ends Well '

My trip to Osmoloda with natively strangers has been a memorable experience. It has provided me not only lessons but it has reawaken my belief in people. Those 5 days of my life with no phones and no internet. I learnt to live in present. Brooks made me aware to let go Past away. Mountains assured and inspired me to climb and have a beautiful view.

I am very glad to have new acquaintances, everyone of them has taught me something and made me felt at home. Inspite of having different nationalities, on the peak we could hear just a Simple Friend.

Indeed, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family)

Thank you, friends for helping me, to make a Beautiful memory!

Here's, the video of my Trip to Osmoloda, please do watch and be a part of my memorable journey!

If you also have some experience like this then please share in the comments section below. Also for any queries leave a comment.