Romania:

Cold Mountain Challenge

If you’ve seen the film “Cold Mountain”, starring Nicole Kidman and Rene Zellweger, then you’ll have seen the setting for our fantastic fund-raising challenge, because 19th century North Carolina was recreated in the Transylvania region of Southern Romania.
It’s a remote area where time has stayed still. You can hardly believe you are in 21st century Europe; it is as common to see horses and carts on the road as cars, and field labourers still use scythes. This is a landscape of stark but incomparable beauty, especially in the autumn when the trees are bright with reds, golds and bronzes. But don’t let that beauty beguile you into thinking that this challenge will be a walk in the park!

The Challenge
Starting in the historic town of Sinaia, your trek will take you through the stunning and varied terrain so typical of the area. You will take on some of the Carpathian’s highest peaks, including the Caraiman. Standing at over 2500m you are at over twice the height of Ben Nevis!

The Purpose
Also, before returning home, you will visit one of the projects for which the challenge is raising vital funds – a “halfway house” for young adults with learning disabilities, enabling them to adjust to independent living as adults. Our “Arc” project is located in the heart of Sinaia, and funds raised through the “Cold Mountain” challenges will be used for this project or to finance the second “halfway house” project, based in the village of Stuica.
After the success of the first “Cold Mountain” challenge in 2004, the Trust has made the expedition an annual event. Last October, a group of (mostly!) young people completed the challenge (some for the second time), raising several thousand pounds. However, this is not a challenge only open to the young – it has been completed by several people in their fifties and even sixties!

After the success of the first Cold Mountain Challenge, back in 2004, the Trust has made the expedition an annual event. This year's trip will take place in June.

For information about the next challenge, call Gill Dickinson on 01925 220999, email gill@epiphany.org.uk or drop us a line at our Newton-le-Willows office.

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