Mountaintop Wildcamping

We met our friendly Slovakian man of the mountains today. He took great pleasure in telling us of all the things that are forbidden in Slovakia. A lot of the mountain trails are forbidden, we walked them. Picking wild fruit is forbidden, we picked it. Wild camping is forbidden, we camped.

Lukaš was the best guide we could have wished for, tailoring the mountain climbing to our needs… mainly our need to stop and photograph the vistas. Our second day took us to the top of Jahňací štít (2229 m) in the high Tatras. Illicitly we set up a discreet camp of sleeping bags and roll mats, shared a chocolate bar as the clouds rolled in and the sun set. From our clandestine vantage point we had a view of Slovakia on one side, and Poland on the other.

Words: Hugo Pullen | Photos: Dora Damian

In the deep dark woods

We met Laetitia and Maurice at the highline festival, although our paths had crossed long before then. Their trip started in Greece and finally we met in Poland. We drove in convoy for a while, stopping to pick the plums that are in abundance this time of year. Before nightfall we reached our destination deep in the Sokoliki woods. Climbers over the years have affixed bolts to every granite tower and made these deep dark woods an unbelievable sport climbing Play Park.

Our days took a certain routine: In the morning, bags would be packed full of climbing and slacklining gear to be hauled into the forest. Lunch would be a Tupperware full of plums and dinner would be discussed at length before Dora and Laetitia embarked on some of the best van cooking ever. When it was cold enough we would light the log burner in the van and read until tiredness took a hold.

Words: Hugo Pullen | Photos: Dora Damian

Olesnica Urban Highline Festival

Stuck in Krakow waiting for a wheel bearing to arrive, a Slovakian friend told us of a highline festival happening that very weekend 300km away. We thought the van could handle another 600km on a noisy wheel bearing, so off we limped to Olesnica for some excellent times with the great unwashed.

Encamped in the castle grounds was an eclectic mix of circus folk touring Europe with their families in vans and a few familiar slackliners. In the evenings we were treated to upbeat bohemia vibes and dancing in the streets to polka rhythms.

Words: Hugo Pullen | Photos: Dora Damian

A warm welcome from Krakow's emergency services

A kind passerby decided to inform the local fire service that our van was on fire!

Krakow's emergency service turned up in full force: two police cars, two fire engines and one ambulance - all for a log burner that was a little smokey on startup. After our greetings and farewells from the emergency services we savoured the delights of Krakow, listening to klezmer in the Jewish quarter and jazz in a basement bar just off the old town.

Words: Hugo Pullen | Photos: Dora Damian

Auschwitz

My Grandma is right...

everyone should visit Auschwitz.

We visited both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II - the scale of Auschwitz II-Birkenau is incomprehensible. It is hard to believe the Nazi regime existed within the lifetime of our grandparents. It would be an easier pill to swallow had these atrocities been committed millennia ago but they are within living memory, and ought to be recounted to every generation.

Words: Hugo Pullen | Photos: Dora Damian