The adventure kicked off last night, and not exactly as planned. An endless cough kept me from getting any real sleep, and I was up by 4:30 AM. After a night of tossing, turning, and worrying about being sleep-deprived, a sunny morning thankfully greeted us. After a quick breakfast and saying goodbye to our friends, we headed to the meetup point. I felt a slight buzz of nerves, but mostly pure excitement. Finally, we’re hitting the trail for our first trek with my son!
Our First Challenges and First Miles
We rolled into the meetup spot just after 8 AM. After registration and picking up our gear (water bottle, cap, gas canister), I got my pack weighed – a final 14 kg. A solid weight, considering all the food and water! Then we snagged a photo op with host Lukáš Hejlík; you can’t miss a souvenir like that.
At 9:30 AM, we officially hit the trail. My little trail buddy crushed it! Even though it was tough for him and he occasionally grumbled about being done, he hiked like a pro. Most of the roughly 10-kilometer climb to Holuby Hut was uphill. For the last few hundred meters, his legs gave out, so we went “piggyback style.” But he made it to the hut on his own two feet! I’m so proud of him; he’s a real champ.
At Holuby Hut, we earned a well-deserved break. Lunch, a lemonade, and an ice cream were the ultimate reward.
Afternoon Leg and Forest Adventures
We set off from the hut at 2:45 PM. My little guy is a true trooper, giving it his all and clearly not wanting to quit. Along the way, a group with a dog caught up to us. My boy was instantly in his element, chatting with everyone and eventually petting the dog. After a while, he asked if I had a shovel because he needed to “go number two.” We ducked off the trail, found a good spot, and enjoyed some proper outdoor hygiene.
For the last kilometer, I carried him piggyback again. At the finish line, we registered, found our tent spot, and got it pitched. Then it was just dinner, and by around 7 PM, we were in our sleeping bags. Just after seven, he was out cold! I hope he gets a good night’s sleep, ready for more adventures tomorrow.
Daily Summary:
- Today’s distance: 17.28 km (Me), My little buddy less
- Elevation gain: Ascent 620 m, Descent 547 m
- Total time: 6:55:14
- Pack weight: 14 kg (final)
- Highlight of the day: My little buddy outdid himself and made it to Holuby Hut on his own two feet.
