4 years of Oxygen: competition and entertainment

• oxigen
• 21 octombrie 2015

The much expected 4^th anniversary of Oxygen NGO happened. The competition thoroughly organized by a small group of oxygenated volunteers took place and now we remember those days that mixed harmoniously competitiveness with good music.

Weather was not our best friend from the beginning and we had to rise up with the lark. But, finally, it showed its kindness and offered our contestants the opportunity to admire the mountain’s beauty.

The technical briefing from Friday evening informed the contestants that they had to participate as mixed teams of 3-5 persons and to pass a series of tests taking place on Piatra Mare Mount. After a semi-serious half an hour briefing, the evening was dedicated to mountain songs and jokes. Actually, this was the last training for the competition. 😉 As a universal rule, all mountain people must start their trekking trail with lots of joy. You shouldn’t give much attention to their morning grumbling because it is a different way of expressing joy.

At 6 o’clock in the morning, we, the organizers team, and the four teams of competitors met at the beginning of the mountain trail. Equipped with clipboards, pencils and headlights, the contestants started the theoretical tests. Geography, flora, fauna, meteorology, mountaineering and first aid were fully covered by a set of 50 questions.

The contestants’ rumbling was funny, but we hope that they realized the importance of knowing the basics about a new mountain trail. There is no room to mention the importance of assimilating mountaineering and first aid knowledge once you become a mountain climbing addict.

At 7 o’clock, with the rucksacks on their backs, the contestants started the trail. They received a good map and detailed directions. 6 hours was the maximum time to complete the whole trail. But on their way, the teams met the mountaineering referees. It was rock climbing time! The four magnificent Ştefan, Narcis, Bogdan and Radu prepared a challenging climbing path on the Rock Ridge area. With lots of humour and good guidance, the four helped participants to find their courage, to become friends with the rock and to prove their most engaging monkey style moves in order to reach the top.

Some returned a bit upset that they didn’t have the chance to climb – only two members of each team participated at this test. Some wanted to climb longer paths. Next time, we will remember this issue! 😉

At the end of the trail, the organizers team, Movers and Shakers, waited the contestants with an exciting orientation test. With a map and a compass, the participants were welcomed to look for 10 control points strategically „hidden“ by our guru of orientation, Ţiplă (Alex)!

Some of the participants came back tired as they ran for a good time, others admired the beauty of the trail. There have been some discontented as they did not find the control point 7 or 6 or 4… Dear contestants, you have to get orientated that is why an orientation test! If you don’t find the control points, you have the chance to find interesting and colorful mushrooms. 😉

In the evening, we enjoyed hilarious sketches and photographic stories created by contenstants for the cultural test. They also revealed other surprising skills besides acting or shooting. We laughed a lot becoming energized by a good vibe. The whole competition ended with a cheerful award festivity.

After a day seasoned with mountain, rock climbing and orientation aromas, we ended the weekend with guitar and violine music in order to celebrate the 4^th anniversary of Oxygen. The Oxygen NGO grew up and proved they can plan more and more surprising expeditions. Happy anniversary, Oxygen!

Spain and Morocco

• oxigen
• 20 octombrie 2015

In May, Oxygen NGO plans an expedition on Sierra Nevada (3479m) and a camel ride experience through the desert.

The expedition schedule is as follows:

Day 1 – 3^rd of  May, 15:35: leaving Bucharest for Malaga, then Malaga – El Chorro transfer and accommodation in El Chorro

Day 2 – 4^th of May: Caminito del Rey/ King’s Pathway, accommodation in El Chorro

Day 3 – 5^th of May: El Chorro – Capileira transfer, trekking to Poquira Shelter, accommodation at Poquira Shelter

Day 4 – 6^th of May: mountain trail Poquira Shelter – Mulhacen Peak (3479m) – Capileiria. Then Sevillia transfer. Accommodation in Seville or Capileira depending on the ending hour of the ascension.

Day 5 – 7^th of May: Seville visiting, Seville – Marrakech flight transfer

Day 6 to 8 – from 8^th till 10^th of May: Morocco visiting

Day 9 – 11^th of May: Marrakech – Bucharest flight, with a 3-hour stop in Madrid Barajas. Arrival in Bucharest at 00:40, on 12^th of May.

The costs reach 655 Euros and include:

• 8 night accommodation (4 nights in Spain: 2 in El Chorro, 1 at Poquira Shelter, 1 in Seville or Capileira; 4 nights in Morocco, Marrakech
• Transfers between Malaga, El Chorro, Capileira and Seville
• Flight Seville – Marrakech, Marrakech – Madrid
• Tourist guide all along the expedition: on El Caminito del Rey, Sierra Nevada trail and Morocco

The above costs do not include the flights Bucharest – Malaga and Madrid Bucharest or other optional trips in Morocco.

You may book a seat by making a 30% advance payment of the mentioned costs until 30^th of January 2016.

Booking until 31^st of January 2016 offers us the chance to negotiate a group fee for a roundtrip to Spain.

The trip is held only if there are at least 10 seats booked.

It is mandatory to have a passport with more than 6 months validity at the moment of the expedition, in order to book a seat.

For more details you may contact us at 0721.566.427 or at Diana@asociatiaoxigen.ro.

Tatra Mountains – First time with Oxygen

• oxigen
• 14 septembrie 2015

We frequently receive short articles from our voluntaries about their experiences on mountains. Here it is how Mihai felt, lived and experienced Tatra Mountains with Oxygen Association.

“Tatra expedition has been my first experience with Oxygen on mountains. It has been an expedition that succeeded beyond all my expectations. Even the smallest doubt regarding this experience has magically vanished the moment I met the wonderful people participating at the same journey.

The organization had no flaws and Oxygen organizers have efficiently solved the insignificant unpredictable situations.

The way from Bucharest to Slovakia (Horsky Hotel– Popradske Pleso) by bus seemed to me even shorter than the real numbers say due to a amazing vibe created by everybody. After the bus trip, we walked about an hour on a wooded path towards Horsky Hotel (1500m) and it has been quite a pleasure to enjoy the fascinating nature around us.

The next day, we began the ascension. In two groups, one left for Gerlachovský Peak (2565m, the highest in Tatra Mountains), the other left for Rysy Peak (2499m, the highest peak in Poland). The singularity of this experience made me long for a second one as soon as possible. I cannot tell it was hard (but neither easy). Yet, all I knew is that the more and more surprising landscape rewarded my effort. Before reaching Rysy Peak, we stopped at a chalet at 2250m. Piano music and the warm inside the chalet welcomed our group. We relaxed for a bit and drank a cup of hot tea. Then, we continued our ascension reaching the peak in less than one hour. The descending seemed much easier than the ascension maybe due to the nature luxury that made us stand in awe at each step. At the end, the hot meal from the accommodation made of this day a unique and unforgettable experience.

On the way back home to Bucharest I wondered when Oxygen would leave for Olympus Mount.”

Thank you Mihai for these lovely words. We are glad that Tatra Mountains left such a trace on your soul. We love them as well from the first moment we stepped on their trails. If you want to experience other European mountains with Oxygen or to take part at Oxygen internal expeditions, keep a close watch on us. We prepare new surprises and new expeditions.

Greece – the realm of the Olympian Gods, the land of azure waters

• oxigen
• 10 septembrie 2015

For the 3^rd year in a row, Greece, the realm of the Olympian Gods, the land of azure waters has embraced our steps unraveling its mountain trails, its magically clear waters, alluring us with relaxing sunbathing.

Embarked upon the Bus of Joy, we reach the Hellenic land on Thursday morning. The enthusiasm replaces the lunch time with swimming in the Aegean Sea, an arm of the Mediterranean Sea.

On Friday morning, the best weather conditions meet our deep hopes and open us the door towards Mytikas Peak. Due to its altitude (2918 m), our climbing starts with the sunrise. Wearing our Oxygen green T-shirts, we begin the exploration of the imposingly Mount Olympus disclosing its dried springless slopes, with no flora from 2500 m, but radiating a lot of beneficial energy.

The E4 trail starts from Litochoro going towards Pironia and leaves you a moment of slow breathing at Shelter A, the last place where one can find water. From Shelter A to Skala Peak (2800m), the trail offers 3 – 3 ½ hours of continuous ascension. Each of my three ascensions on Skala is different. The first one I felt it terribly long, the second one I knew what to expect, but this year, the trail seemed to me shorter than ever.

There are 30 more minutes to climb from Skala to Mytikas Peak. It is actually the most difficult part of the whole trail: a narrow rocky passage that it is easy to climb only if you use both your hands. Once on Mytikas, our eyes are charmed by the peaks around the highest of all: Skolio (2911 m), Skala (2866 m) and Stefani (2909 m). We enjoy the moment, the place, the landscapes to the fullest, but the cruel clock doesn’t stop, pushing us back towards Shelter A and further to Litochoro where the Bus of Joy waits for us. The running time of the whole trail (to the peak and back) was 12 hours, its length of 20 km and the slope level difference of 3800 m. 40 Oxygenated mountaineers shouts at once “Oxygeeeeen!!!!”. Those 2918 m of Mytikas Peak offers us the most magnificent sound effects propagating our happiness all over the Olympian valleys.

On Saturday morning we relax our muscles on the fine sands of Skiathos Island, dancing on Greek beats and eating Romanian dishes. Once again, time proves not to be our best friend. Yet, in one single day, we succeed to enjoy some full hours of sailing, swimming, jumping in the sea,  dancing, but the most important to experience one of the most animating sensations while on big swim-belts dragged by a boat with a 30 km/hour speed.

On Sunday morning, whether we like it or not, we have to nostalgically embark upon the Bus of Joy, after our last octopus delight. We love Olympus and after 3 years in a row, coming back here is like coming home. But the end of this expedition is the beginning of a new one. At the end of next summer, Oxygen will organize a more magical, magnificent, amazing complete experience of Greek mountain and sea. Stay tuned!

Oxigen in the oldest mountains from Romania – Macin Mountains

• oxigen
• 15 august 2015

Incheiem vara cu  o iesire faina in natura! Asociatia Oxigen te invita in weekend-ul 29 – 30 august intr-o excursie de vara in care vom imbina muntele cu obiective turistice naturale. In plus,  venim si cu o activitate noua pentru Oxigen  – echitatie. Vino si tu alaturi de noi in Muntii Macinului sa te bucuri de formatiunile vechi, legende frumoase si de o atmosfera deosebita! Programul este urmatorul: Ziua 1 Ora 6 – plecare cu autocarul din Bucuresti, hotel Horoscop Muntii Macin – Traseu Culmea Pricopanului Vizitare de obiective turiste Campare in Camping La Nasu, satul Greci

We end the summer with a nice trip! Oxygen Association invites you on 29-30 th of August in a summer trip in which we combine the mountain trails with the natural sights. In addition, we will offer a new activity for Oxigen members –  horse riding. Come and join us in Macinului Mountains to enjoy the beautiful formations, old legends and a great atmosphere!

The program is the following:

Day 1-  departure by bus from Bucharest at 6 a.m, from hotel Horoscop in Macin mountains

Trail Pricopanului Peak

sightseeing

Camping At Nasu, Greek village

Zi

Day 2:

Horse riding on mountain trails

Sightseeing

Cheltuielile pentru aceasta expeditie ajung la 130 lei/persoana si includ: transport cu microbuzul, cazarea in camping, organizarea excursiei. !!! Daca vom fi sub 25 persoane, vom merge cu masinile personale. Echitatie – cine doreste – 45 lei/2 ore pe trasee montane. Inscrierea in aceasta expeditie se face in baza platii avansului de 50% din valoarea cheltuielilor.

The expenses for this expedition reach 130 lei/person and include: minibus transport, accommodation in camping, organizing the trip.

!!! If we are going to be under 25 people, we will go by cars.

Horse riding -45 lei/2 hours hiking trails.

Enrolling in this expedition is based on the advance payment of 50% of the costs.

Va rugam sa faceti plata in noul cont al Asociatiei RO26RNCB0075146024870001 si sa trimiteti OP-ul impreuna cu numele vostru sau al tuturor persoanelor inscrise la adresa: florina@asociatiaoxigen.ro si anuntati si printr-un mesaj pe telefon. La inscriere va rog sa mentionati daca aveti cort si locuri libere in el si daca doriti echitatie pentru duminica. Pentru intrebari, va stau cu drag la dispozitie pe adresa de email precizata mai sus sau la telefon 0726.31.57.34 – Florina.

Please make the payment into the new account of the Association: RO26RNCB0075146024870001 and send your payment along with your name, or of all persons registered at the address: florina@asociatiaoxigen.ro and announced it by a message on the phone.

When you sign-up, please mention if you have tent and vacancies in it and if you are riding on Sunday. For any questions, we are available to the email address indicated above or by phone 0726.31.57.34-Fan.

*Locurile sunt limitate, asa ca rugamintea mea este sa va grabiti cu inscrierea! *Cei care nu au cort si vor sa vina, va rog sa anuntati pentru ca putem pune la dispozitie cateva corturi extra. * Echipament recomandat – rucsac, bocanci, pelerina de ploaie, frontala, sac de dormit, izopren, cort, mancare, trusa personala de prim ajutor, aparat foto. Veniti verzi oxigenati si deschisi sufleteste pentru a va bucura de maretia locului! 🙂

* Seats are limited, so please hurry up with the registration! * Those who do not have a tent and want to come, please let me know because we will have some extra tents. * Recommended Equipment-backpack, boots, raincoat, side, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, food, personal first aid kit, camera. Come green like Oxygen and open-heart to enjoy the beauty of the place! 🙂

Oxygen returns to Uganda-the Pearl of Africa (Margerita Peak – 5.109) in 2016

• oxigen
• 22 iulie 2015

It is already the fourth expedition in Uganda organized and sustained by Oxigen Association, with the coordination of the Chairman of Honor, the climber David Neacșu, which during the period 2004-2015 has escalated the Stanley glacier 6 times.

The goal and objectives of the expedition of 2016 are very well defined: drawing the attention among the young over environmental pollution and their effects on the environment.

Objectives:

* melting measuring of the Stanley Glacier (part of the old route of the Ruwenzori Mountains escalation);

* Checking the practicability of the climbing route mapped by Oxygen team on Ruwenzori in 2013;

* Identification of new less technical climbing trails on the Ruwenzori Mountains of Uganda;

* Reach Margherita Peak (5.109 m);

* Conducting an online campaign to draw attention over the environment in which pollution effects will be presented at the level of the Ruwenzori Mountains;

* Sustain two conferences for the presentation of the results of the expedition and of the importance of team and teamwork for 200 young people in Bucharest in order to create new projects to protect the environment and to work together against environmental pollution.

The expedition will take place in February 2016 and will last 12 days:

Day 1-arrival and settling

Day 2- Day 9 – Ruwenzori Mountains Circuit – reaching Margherita peak (5.109)

Day 10 – Safari Queen Elizabeth and transfer

Day 12 – Departure

In addition to the mentioned objectives, we will enjoy also the easy living of African people, its features and a very special civilization that we will discover through a cultural exchange.

Come discover yourself the Pearl of Africa and to contribute in your own way to improve the environment!

For questions, please use the following email address: florina@asociatiaoxigen.ro or by phone +4 0726.31.57.34 – Florina.