Slavkovsky Stit

Intro

Slavkovsky Stit ,Slawkowski Szczyt ,Schlagendorfer Spitze ,Nagyszaloki-csucs 2452


Slavkovsky Stit - NE face above Velka Studena Valley

Extensive and prominent High Tatra Massif rising south above lower parts of Velka Studena Dolina to the north-west of Stary Smokovec.

Dominating over Stary Smokovec – powerful Slavkovsky stays the most characteristic element of the town image when looking from anywhere in the south.

Among highest Tatra peaks Slavkovsky Stit is one of the most prominent and first ascended – in 17th century.

Slavkovsky Peak is very easily accessible from the south what explains its great popularity among tourists in the summer season.

The most interesting area for alpine climbers (called in Poland “taterniks” ,in Slovakia “horolezecs”) is Slavkovsky’s north-eastern face (especially in winter).

Tremendous panorama from the summit.

The name of the peak comes from village of Velky Slavkov near Poprad town.

First ascent :
1664 – Georg Buchholtz older with companions and guide

First winter ascent :
15.01.1873 – Eduard Blasy with guide

Slavkovsky Stit (2452)

Slavkovsky Stit is a prominent culmination of the lateral High Tatra ridge which branches off to the south-east in the peak of Vychodna Vysoka(2428)in the main ridge. It is separated from long Bradavica(2476) group by Slavkovske Sedlo Pass(ca.2295).
Towards east Slavkovsky sends long falling ridge (Strbavy Hreben) with characteristic culmination of Kralovsky Nos(2283) ending under Hrebienok(1285).
There is also quite prominent southern rib going from the summit to Senna Prehyba Pass and Senna Kopa(1848) . Simple structure of the southern parts of the massif id a total opposition to the north and west where to the Velka Studena Valley – Slavkovsky sends a huge, neverending labyrinth of prominent crags, couloirs and pillars and great Jama(Jamina) gorge narrowing in the lower section into Jama Couloir falling between Grosz’s Pillar and Slavkovska Vezicka by huge scree fields to the bottom of Velka Studena Valley.

Getting There

If You think about climbing Slavkovsky You have to get to Stary Smokovec beautiful spa ,ski and mountain tourism centre on Slovakian side of Tatra Mountains (currently seriously demolished after hurricane "kalamita" from November 2004.)
You can get there easily by bus or electric train from town of Poprad.
Poprad has very good communication links with whole Slovakia ,there is also an airport (probably the highest situated one in Europe - 710 meters above the sea level).

Slovak bus and train connection search

Our mountain trip to Slavkovsky Stit(2452) leads from Stary Smokovec to Hrebienok(1285) and then higher and higher by the prominent SE ridge to the summit.
There is a cable railway from the center of Stary Smokovec to Hrebienok.

Marked Route

Blue marks, 7.5 km, 1440 meters of altitude difference!, 4 hours

The route is free from any technical difficulties but really tiring and arduous especially in the sun what is recompensed by wonderfully wide views.

Slavkovsky Stit area - Map

Tatry Wysokie (High Tatra) map, in scale 1:25 000, description in 6 languages, ISBN 83-87873-26-8, available in all shops and book stores in Zakopane . Here you can check the net version

Tatra Maps (English version)

Red Tape

It is Tatra National Park (TANAP) area, there are no entry fees but you can hike using only marked trails. Strict rules of wildlife conservation.

Between 1.11 and 15.06 year by year all marked routes in TANAP are being closed besides routes leading to chalets in the mountains.

Alpine climbing in the area can be practiced in compliance with National Park rules.

When To Climb

Best time for hiking: August – October.
In July frequent t-storms, rainfall and foggy weather.

In winter ridge route makes the ascent quite safe but as all winter escapades it is a serious tourist undertaking,
don't forget to check avalanche forecast first!

Alpine Climbing Routes in Slavkovsky massif

Camping

Lots of places to stay overnight in Stary Smokovec and nearby villages from attractive private houses to stylish pensions and luxury hotels.

Expensive Mountain Hotel and Bilikova Chata Hotel at Hrebienok(1285) on the route to Slavkovsky .

Camping in Tatra National Park is strictly forbidden (besides some special camping fields for climbers, none of them is situated in the area of Slavkovsky Peak).

Mountian Conditions

Severe and extremely changeable high mountain climate …be always prepared for sudden weather breakdowns! Stay always respectful to the mountains! Stupid mistake of disrespect can be your last one ;-)

Horska Sluzba - Tatra Mountain Rescue

Slavkovsky - The Highest One ?

There is one old legend that comes from 17th century Levoca’s Kasper Hain’s chronicle saying that there was a strong earthquake in Tatra Mountians on 6th August 1662 which caused enormous rock falls and distastrous stone avalanches.

According to this message during the earthquake Slavkovsky lost 300 meters of its height (so it must have been the highest Tatra peak before that) when its stale summit dome collapsed down with an enormous roar and giving light seen supposedly by monks of Piarist monastery in Podolinec (25 kilometers east from Tatras).

Contemporary opinions about these revelations of Levoca’s notes are rather strongly doubtful. Researchers and historians claim that it’s not documented and proved enough and there are no clear traces of the catastrophic event.

According to majority of researches it was not an earthquake but an extreme thunderstorm which suddenly caused dramatic flood. The height of Slavkovsky Stit didn’t change ,there was only a big crag fall on its western slopes causing huge rocky avalanche.

Folktale or not …after last surprisingly strong events of ground quaking in Podhale land at the foot of Tatras …You never know …

External Links

• Tatra National Park - TANAP
  
  
• Zbojnicka Chata Mountain Chalet
  
  
• Slovak Mountains
  Weather reports
  
• Horska Sluzba - Tatra Mountain Rescue
  Daily weather ,avalanche reports ...
  
• Hrebienok - Cable Car
  
  
• Tatra Mountain Guide Service
  
  
• Webcam - Lookout at Slavkovský štít from ski resort Jakubkova lúka - located on south slope of the mountain
  
  
• Novy Smokovec village - Slavkovsky stit live webcam
  webcam looking viewing foothills of the Slavkovsky stit and village Novy Smokovec, from where you may start your ascent of the Slavkovsky stit.

Additions and CorrectionsPost an Addition or Correction

Images

View Slavkovsky Stit Image Gallery - 196 Images