SummitPost.org

We are planning a trip to High Tatras somewhere around the first week of November - plan would be to do some daily hikes on the Polish side, staying at Morskie Oko and 5 Lake Valley huts, and, weather permitting, do Mt. Rysy from Morskie Oko.

Now, we are definitely expecting some snow, and we'll take both snow shoes and ice ax / crampons. However, as far as I've read, there's serious avalanche danger in the High Tatras in winter. When does the dangerous period start for that particular route? Is it very likely that it's dangerous already by the beginning of November? Will there be people in lower huts who can tell whether there's danger?

How are the conditions in general? Is it a good time / will there be many people doing that route at that time or is it a particularly low season for doing the high summits? Which ascent route would be better for Rysy at that time - from Slovakia or Poland?

tws wrote:We are planning a trip to High Tatras somewhere around the first week of November - plan would be to do some daily hikes on the Polish side, staying at Morskie Oko and 5 Lake Valley huts, and, weather permitting, do Mt. Rysy from Morskie Oko.

Now, we are definitely expecting some snow, and we'll take both snow shoes and ice ax / crampons. However, as far as I've read, there's serious avalanche danger in the High Tatras in winter. When does the dangerous period start for that particular route? Is it very likely that it's dangerous already by the beginning of November? Will there be people in lower huts who can tell whether there's danger?

Avalanche risk is dependent on snowfall and temperatures. Generally speaking, these risks are greater in late winter as the snowpack is thickest and the sun becomes warm and strong enough to partially melt it and destabilize it. Last year, however, we barely had any snow except for a 80-centimetre snowfall in the first weekend of December. TPN updates the avalanche risk daily at all major trailheads, so follow their advice. Generally speaking though, most of the time, winter hasn't finally settled yet in the Tatras except for the highest areas (above 2000 metres) during the first half of November, although our climate is highly variable. Do keep in mind that most trails, especially on the northern, Polish side, can be iced up once you get over 1700-1800 metres.

tws wrote:How are the conditions in general? Is it a good time / will there be many people doing that route at that time or is it a particularly low season for doing the high summits? Which ascent route would be better for Rysy at that time - from Slovakia or Poland?

First half of November is a particularly low season as no-one in their right minds that needs to travel >200 kilometres will plan a hiking holiday (too late in the season for the weather to be predictable, and the alpine trails in Slovakia - the easier side - close on November 1st) or a winter sports holiday (too early in the season for skiing or snowshoeing as there is no reliable snow pack yet). You will most likely find mainly locals in the Tatra as for us it's easy to decide on the spot if there is a nice day to go out for a hike there. Last year the first half of November was absolutely gorgeous, and me, Monika and our dog went up to 2000 metres on the Slovak side in our T-shirts. (Ostrva - the highest accessible all-year hike-up in Slovakia)

About Rysy, the only "allowed" way up after November 1st is from the Polish side, but as that trail is more difficult; primarily a scramble instead of an easy walk-up, ice climbing experience might be necessary so late in the season, depending on the conditions. If you're unsure about your experience, or you want to ascent Rysy, but also like to keep the possibility open to bail out to the easier Slovak side, you might want to reschedule to the last week of October, as then you can ascend on the Polish side and descend on the Slovak side if the ice conditions are so-so, and the hut below Rysy on the Slovak side will also still be open in case you want to spend the night.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

I was a hike last year late November Clint ... But last year had barely any snow, never used axe or crampons and on trailrunners bottom to summit

Loads of people till Morskie Oko only 9 others (4 of which were guides with clients) higher up above the lakes

Stefan wrote:I was a hike last year late November Clint ... But last year had barely any snow, never used axe or crampons and on trailrunners bottom to summit

Loads of people till Morskie Oko only 9 others (4 of which were guides with clients) higher up above the lakes

Last year was weird. In the middle of November I was up on Ostrva (about 2000 metres) with Monika and Danteke wearing only a T-shirt. Was 23 degrees in Łysa Polana and I was sweating like a swine the entire way up. Got the first (and only!) snow of the season during the Mikołajki weekend. World Championship ski jumping around Christmas down in Zakopane had to be shortened due to heavy rain and 12 degree (55F) temperatures. And in February the crocusses where up and blooming.

The warmest winter in Podhale in recorded history, the first winter ever where both in Nowy Targ as well as Zakopane, the average temperature exceeded 0C. That's about 3,5 standard deviations above average.