Vf. La Cheia Bândei

Route Character

First touring destination of Cabana Valea Simbetei with lots of space and variants at the descent as well as great depth- and panorama views at ascent.

Starting Point & Village

Starting point: The path to Cabana Valea Sambatei (Cabana Sambata) is signposted from the end of the road on. It follows the shape of the valley, crossing the stream once to the west on top of a steep at the beginning of the path (1 - 1,5h depending on starting point). The simple but purposive cabana is serviced and suits well as a base to ski and splitboard the surrounding mountains. Village: Sâmbăta de Sus

Ascent & Route

Starting at the cabana and heading further into the valley, you’ll see the sparsely wooded slope on it’s left we’ll leave the valley. First we pass the mountain rescue hut (Salvamont emergency phone: 072-582-6668), go on always on the right side of the stream and in distance to the slopes till we reach the base of the sparsely wooded slope to our left. A signpost Fereastra Mare and our destination Vf. Cheia Bândei points to the left into a small wooded belt on the right side of the gully. We pass through the trees and generally following the summer path (marked with poles), with caution to snow drift areas, up the terrace untill a hill with a cross comes in sight (La Cruce, 1750m)

On the bottom of the hill a basin leads us to the left towards our destination. Straight ahead at the maybe snowed in signpost until you can hike up comfortly left hand to the small saddle in the lower part of the  summit slope. Then we skin up this northwest slope in wide kickturns, staying more on the right hand side (some pole markers) and in the upper part we turn left towards a seemingly saddle that leads into flatter terrain northwest of the summit. From here you approach the summit slope towards its northwestern flank and skin up in a topwards narrowing curve onto the summit ridge.

Descent & Variants

Directly down the Northwest summit slope towards the flat section and further down the ultra broad pipe with much space to both sides untill it gets flatter first and steeper then. Here above we traverse to the left back towards our ascent track. Down along and left through the small saddle back into the bassins near La Cruce. Then in general following the ascent and down the first slope. Depending on snow you can ride to the cabana without pushing.

Maps

Muntii Fagarasului / Fogarascher-Gebirge, Moldoveanu, Rumänien, Südkarpaten (Transilvanien / Siebenbürgen) topographische Wanderkarte 1:60.000, Dimap Bl.13

Photo Gallery

A selection of 5 photos from the tour:

Map and Avalanche Risk

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