The rock that loved the sunset from Hășmaș mountains

Dear traveler,

I kept on hearing stories about Piatra Singuratică (the Lonely Rock) and I tried to imagine why is she called that way.

Is she the only rock on these mountains, is she mightier and taller than all the other rocks around her?

Maybe I'll find out this weekend, as Mamarmot promised me we will set up our tent at her feet, in the Hășmaș mountains.

We drove for a while up to the town from where the trail starts and to be honest, I kind of got tired of sitting. I can't wait to move my legs.

Reaching the small town called Bălan, there's no sight of any waymarking that could show us the direction we have to take. An old mas tells us what trail would be better in order to avoid the fallen trees following a big storm.

All said and done, we start on the trails of Piatra Singuratică. in the direction of the Szep lake, which Mamarmot says it's translated as the beautiful lake. 

Oh, well, this trail is chill. We walk mostly on even ground, it's like a small hill. We reach meadows with horses and before our eyes lies a dense fir forest. Now it's starting to look as a mountain!

This slope becomes steeper and steeper..of course..how can it be different!? And not only it becomes steeper, but the path becomes more and more rough, full of rocks. Wonderful. But, hey, slope, you won't annoy me today as I can't wait to get to that lonely stone and ask her what's her story.

As we leave the forest, it seems as the slope mellowed a bit, but along with her, my patience dropped as well. I don't feel good about the next slope that seems to be taking us nowhere. Grrrr.

But I'm surprised to see that as we reach the top, the cabin appears before my eyes and next to its right it's the famous lonely stone..that, actually seems lonely. I admire her and I am happy to be here. She's very beautiful she seems a bit threatening. As if all the rocks around just fled from her way.  

There are a lot of people here today but we were able to find a nice spot right at the rock's feet. We arrived early and we can enjoy this beautiful place and the warm light that goes through the forest and reaches us in many thin rays.

I tuck in my sleeping bag and I lay in the sun, enjoying its warmth, the sound of wind through the trees and the happy people around us. 

Many are reading, laughing, running around, chilling in their hammocks or in front of their tents. It's only the stone that's looking at us, majestically. I wonder if I can climb up there. I look at her and feel her loneliness. Many come here, admiring her, photographing her. But few go up there, straight into her heart. 

Next to us, a girl is looking at her and writes something in a notebook. I get closer and notice that she is actually not writing, but drawing Piatra Singuratică in all her might. How beautiful! I wish I could do that too.

I tell Mamarmot I want to climb the rock and she tells me we will be climbing tomorrow. But today let's go closer to her and in her surroundings. We find some places where we can see faraway crests, where we can return later to enjoy the sunset, We climb a little into Piatra Singuratică's heart. Although we are not far, all the humming from below cannot be heard anymore and the silence is still. Only the wind sings from time to time as it passes in haste through the rocks.

Now I get it. Nothing can be heard here. Neither the laughing, neither the chatter. Although the rock is surrounded by people and colorful tents, in her core nothing can be heard. Maybe from time to time she will hear something brought by the wind. Maybe the buzzing of a bee. 

I tell her that she's not alone and we all love her. That's why we come to see her.

At dinner, we start chatting with three hikers, among which is the girl that was drawing earlier. They are very nice and time flies as my folks keep on chatting with them until I tell them what time it is. 

-"Come on, let's go and see the sunset!"

This light is magical and here, where we sit waiting for the sun's performance, all you can hear is the wind. 

I close my eyes and listen. It feels like the forest speaks. I imagine how the rock tells me her tale. It sees that she was part of a big mountain in a place where the wind blew strong. The mountain said it wanted to move a little lower, so the wind won't freeze its crests anymore. maybe a bit to the left, or to the right. But Piatra Singuratică loved the sunset so much, she did not wanted to move. Then the mountain told her it will split into three and will leave towards the sunset and she will stay alone forever. But she stood her ground. She loved how the sunset looked like from here. The mountain left but she stayed, looking at the sunset as I look at it now. 

I wake up from daydreaming and I'm not sure whether I imagined or the forest actually spoke to me. 

Darkness took over and the people already started a camp fire. The first stars pop up on the sky and, of course, I'm Mamarmot's photography assistant. Then, I get out of the tent as well. 

The sky is filled with colored pearls and under them, Piatra Singuratică stands on the lookout, awaiting for her beloved sunset. 

I fall asleep with her tale in my mind, with wind chime in my ears. 

Next morning, I am awoken by two puppies that are chewing our tent. I start playing and running around with them and I forget that I wanted to climb Piatra Singuratică. 

It's time to go now and we take the road back to the town along with the hikers we met yesterday. 

Reaching our car, I look back and see a small part of Piatra Singuratică. Now I remember that I wanted to climb up there. But, next time. I bid her goodbye and I thank the forest for sharing the tale of the rock that loved the sunset.

I ask Mamarmot:

-"Mamarmot, what tales we'll be discovering next time?"

-"Marmot, I think we'll go explore a place filled with tales, far, far away from home."