Lazarow World-Hike-About: 36:19 Slovakia: High Tatras, Solisco Peak, an earlier hike, a fabulous day.

LAZAROW WORLD HIKE-ABOUT

New Zealand: Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Ngauruhoe Volcano ("Mt. Doom"), a perfect sunrise.

'LAZAROW WORLD HIKE-ABOUT: WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HIKE-ABOUT?'

Hike-about is an adventure that commenced June 2010. After storing our household movables, ridding ourselves of a house but retaining our 'home' together, we set off with the purpose of hiking in different parts of the world, not forgetting the home country, the USA.

Our primary focus is hiking to mountain peaks but any challenging hike will do just fine. Extended stays enable us to enjoy and experience living in various places amongst differing cultures. Hike-about has evolved into a way of life. It's also a process of discovery, both the world and ourselves.

We work and live 'on the road' but return to the city in which our grandchildren reside, every couple of months. This provides us the wonderful opportunity to be with them as well as a child or two, even three and of course, friends.

By the end of 2023, the blog contained over 1,560 hikes (less than that actually undertaken), each a set of pictures with stories and anecdotes from the trails. An index to the right allows the viewer to identify earlier experiences.

Finally, we are often asked about the journey's end. Our reply, as accurate as we can state, is: "When we are either forced to cease through health issues or the enjoyment level no longer reaches our aspirations, we will hang up the boots."

"A Life Experience As No Other: Dare to Seize the Day Together", published by Fulton Books, depicts our life on the road and mountains until the beginning of 2017. It has developed 'exponentially' since then.

Jenni and Jeffrey Lazarow

Whereas we continue to update the blog regularly, we circulate email notifications infrequently.

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

36:19 Slovakia: High Tatras, Solisco Peak, an earlier hike, a fabulous day.

The target, hidden for a few moments. (Good thing because I was able to convince the editor it was much lower than it looked.)

Nearly home as we approach Lake Strbske pleso, the surrounding trees gave it a distinctive look.

While we come across tough youngsters on the trails in America, Europeans seem to have an ingrained love and desire to be in the mountains and on the trails. No one matches the Germans on an international scale—they are the most prolific hikers and travelers of all. The French are the next big group that one can spot on the mountains of the world. However, regarding the young, and mainly during the school holidays, what we observed in Eastern Europe and particularly Slovakia, was simply amazing. Kids of all ages, ranging from 6 years, some even less, hiking steep and rough trails.

We have mentioned from time-to-time how rugged and hardy we thought the people of this region are. We certainly still have that same opinion but even more so. When you see how the kids are brought up with regard to outdoor life, it tends to reinforce our view of the toughness of the inhabitants around the Carpathian Mountains. Of course, the real cherry on the top is the bonding taking place within families, and from an early age, as they struggle and sweat together.

The day’s hike was much over 2,000 feet but truth be told, we can’t remember and information is sketchy. However, it had a long first section which began at the lake and reached the top of the cable station. Thereafter, it was a little less than an hour climb up a steep mountain to reach a small peak with terrific views. The sights were outstanding and we can imagine a winter covering, of snow and/or sunrise/sunsets, would make the place heavenly.

Loved the scene as we commence the very steep section.