Splitboarding Moldoveanu Peak

Last weekend we went splitboarding Moldoveanu Peak in Fagaras Mountains. Just 1 hour drive from Brasov and we were ready for our sunny climb.
This is the story of three lone guys with backpacks and splitboards headed towards the highest peak in Romania. Tips included.

We left the car at the base of the mountains in Brasov county as Transfagarasan road is closed during winter time. Either way this famous road isnt’t the best option if you want to splitboard on Moldoveanu Peak. There are many other valleys to choose from. We chose the route to Vistea Mare Valley and started climbing for 3 hours on snowpacks with no visible trailes ahead and multiple river crosses. We went from Vistea Mare Valley, both on foot and on splitboard, towards Vistea refuge hut where we camped for the night. There were no tracks around the refuge hut, neither human nor animal. as none seemed to dare coming so far into the wilderness that day.

About Vistea refuge hut

Based on Fagaras Mountains, Vistea refuge hut is a sphere building with fiberglass walls. You can call it cosy and welcoming as you can get shelter in this mountainous region. No pictures taken. Imagine it as a cool igloo far away from anyone. If you want to see it, you just have to go up there.

• useful tip > essential things to pack in your backpacks: crampons, ice axes, small light portable cooker, extra pair of socks, sleeping bag, mattress, water, food

Abandoned our splitboard

Next morning we got back on splitboards to Moldoveanu Peak. 9 am sharp. Surprisingly there was a lot of snow on the mountain, taking into consideration that this winter we have had only a small amount of snowfall, maybe the smallest snowfall ever recorded during the winter seasons in Romania.

Remember winter climbing in Fagaras Mountains is recommended for experienced people. If you are not used to those mountains, probably you should speak with professional guides before venturing out. This mountain has many portions with high risks of avalanches. On the Norh – Northwest ridge at 1900 meters altitude, we made a snowpit for an avalanche profile to verify if it is safe to continue. Basically we dug a pit into the snowpack to check the snow layers.

We entered the main ridge using crampons and ice axes as we left our splitboards behind. Though the weather was sunny with low wind, it was too icy to ride them from the peak. So we climbed the last meters on foot. As we always say at our learning lessons: Safety first, then splitboarding Moldoveanu Peak.

• fun fact > Fagaras Mountains are called “the Romanian Alps” because they reach high altitudes (highest peak is Moldoveanu Peak – 2544 meters)

Back home

Excluding the portions on crampons, our ride down to the car was done splitboarding the valleys of Moldoveanu Peak, enjoying the wilderness and snowy landscapes. 1 hour of incredible feelings that can’t be described in words. Maybe one: breathtaking. Check below the picture from the peak which we took minutes before we started descending the highest point in Romania. Let us know your impressions in the comments section.

• useful tip > if you plan going splitboarding Moldoveanu Peak for the first time, give us a call or email and we’ll share with you more info