Bubo bubo

The morning mist still clung to the ancient pine trees as we approached Třívěžatá, its three sandstone towers looming like silent sentinels. Our objective for the day was "Bubo bubo," a route graded 5+ – a classic in this unique rock playground. The name itself, "Eagle Owl," hinted at something majestic, perhaps an exposed flight up the face.

The start felt deceptively easy, a gentle slab leading to the first tricky moves. Soon, the true character of Třívěžatá's sandstone began to reveal itself: pockets worn smooth by millennia of wind and rain, delicate friction moves on golden rock, and the ever-present awareness of distant protection points. The 5+ felt honest, demanding precise footwork and a cool head.

The crux arrived mid-way: a delicate traverse across an exposed slab, followed by a surprisingly physical section up a narrow, flaring crack. Every move required commitment, trusting the friction and the occasional small, solid hold. The cheers from below faded into the wind as I focused, hand over hand, foot placement by foot placement. The air grew thin, the exposure exhilarating.

Finally, the summit ring appeared, glinting in the now-bright sun. Clipping in, I pulled over the last bulge, the panoramic view of the surrounding forests and distant rock formations stretching out before me. The silence was profound, broken only by the gentle whisper of the wind – perhaps the ghost of a real Bubo bubo. It was a climb that perfectly encapsulated the beauty and challenge of sandstone climbing: a dance of balance, trust, and quiet determination.

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