CROWN OF EUROPE — RYSY PLANNING CHECKLIST
Research checked: 31 October 2026. Diary and photographs: September 2025.

Choose Poland or Slovakia and identify your actual start: roadhead, rail stop or hut.
Identify the north-western border summit if Poland's national high point is your objective.
Allow for the approach, queues, breaks, difficult descent and the entire walk out.
Check both parks if crossing the mountain. Arrange transport around the Tatras in advance.

ACCESS
- Slovak upper red trail via Chata pod Rysmi: seasonal closure 1 November–31 May.
- Polish trails: no dusk-to-dawn movement 1 March–30 November.
- TANAP hiking is generally in daylight; read the limited accommodation-arrival exception.
- Check current notices. A summer opening date is not a snow-free conditions promise.

PACKING
[ ] Tested mountain footwear with suitable grip
[ ] Properly fitted climbing helmet
[ ] Waterproof jacket and trousers
[ ] Insulating layer and appropriate clothing
[ ] Dry spare clothing / socks and blister supplies
[ ] Warm gloves, hat / buff
[ ] Sunglasses and sun protection
[ ] Food plus an accessible reserve
[ ] Drinking-water plan for the entire day
[ ] Headtorch and spare power
[ ] Suitable paper map and navigation skills
[ ] Downloaded, tested offline mapping
[ ] Charged phone and protected power bank
[ ] First-aid kit and personal essentials
[ ] Emergency shelter / protection from wind
[ ] Waterproof storage for critical items
[ ] Poles stowed securely on hands-on sections
[ ] Technical / snow equipment and skills agreed for conditions
[ ] ID and suitable rescue insurance details
[ ] Offline tickets and confirmed accommodation
[ ] Payment methods checked with huts
[ ] Overnight kit following your specific hut's instructions
[ ] Route and return time left with someone

EMERGENCIES
Poland: 112 or +48 601 100 300 (TOPR); domestic mountain number 985.
Slovakia: 18 300 (HZS) or 112.
If a local short number will not connect, use 112.
Know your location, route, people involved, injuries and current conditions.
Follow rescuers' instructions. Do not rely on mobile coverage everywhere.

CURRENT INFORMATION
TPN trail report: https://tpn.gov.pl/komunikat-turystyczny
TANAP hiking rules: https://www.tanap.sk/pesia-turistika/
TANAP closure list: https://www.tanap.sk/wp-content/uploads/TZCH_uzavera_zoznam.pdf
HZS warnings: https://hzs.sk/category/podmienky-a-vystrahy/
Weather: https://tpn.gov.pl/pogoda and https://www.shmu.sk/
HZS rescue costs / insurance: https://hzs.sk/poistenie/

A planning reminder, not a navigation track or live conditions report.