Black marks

Approach

Koscielec Peak is one of the classic hiking/climbing targets in the area of Gasienicowa Dolina Valley (more common name - Hala Gasienicowa).

It is very easy to get to Hala Gasienicowa by numerous marked routes going from Kuznice near Zakopane town ( 2 hour easy hike ) .

There is a famous Murowaniec Mountain Chalet situated beatifully in the center of Hala Gasienicowa at the height of 1500 meters .
Great base when planning longer stay in the area ( often overcrowded in the high summer season) .

Route Description

We start our trip to well seen impressive tower of Koscielec Peak(2155) at Murowaniec Chalet(1500) .

Our trip consists of 2 stages - first we have to get to Karb Pass(1853) dividing Koscielec massif into 2 ridges : main with Koscielec(2155)
and the northern ,much lower one culminating in rather modest peak of Maly Koscielec(1863) .

There are 2 possibilites of getting there :

Murowaniec - Czarny Staw Gasienicowy(Black Lake)(1622) - Maly Koscielec ridge - Karb Pass(1853)

Black marks ,3 km ,1 h

Murowaniec - Zielony Staw Gasienicowy(Green Lake) - Karb Pass(1853)

Green and then blue marks ,3.5 km ,1 1/4 h

The second route is especially recomended for winter season being less endangered of avalanches than the first one .

Both routes meet themsleves at narrow saddle of Karb Pass from which there is only one black marked tourist path leading to the summit of Koscielec .


Koscielec summit route

It goes quite steeply close to the left edge of the granite ,northern slope of the mountain passing several thresholds ,little walls and well carved chimneys
( a few places where You have to use hands to climb ) to the summit of Koscielec pyramid(2155) .

There is not too much space on the summit which rises 530 meters above the miror of Black Lake ,great views .

Karb Pass(1853) - Koscielec summit(2155)

Black marks , 3/4 h

The whole area is usually a bit crowded in high summer season (July-August) during sunny days .

Watch out for rock icing during autumn months ,the summit route can be very dangerous in such conditions ,going near the edge undercut from north-east
by huge cliffs .

Essential Gear

In the summer conditions : good high mountain tourist equipment ( solid boots ,waterproofs etc.)

In winter when there is no avalanche danger on the walk-up sections : at least ice axe and crampons

Miscellaneous Info

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