We took pictures of the wind-hewn rock formations that are a major attraction of the plateau. There were loads of people around, many hikers with backpacks, others just up for a stroll with the family, but the sky was filled with dark clouds, and there was lightning in the far distance. We headed for one of the nearby peaks, where a cross is located, the trail was good, at one point we crossed a snow field which extended down a valley from a higher huge snow field. There were numerous people on the trail. Unfortunately about half-way up to the cross the weather turned severe, thunder and lightning, and a heavy rain with some sleet/hail. We sought refuge under a large slanting rock slab but it didn’t cover us completely and we got quite wet, even though wearing rainproof coats. Other people were on the trail above us, returning to the Babele even tho there was some lightning around. After about an hour we decided to join some others who were returning (safety in numbers?) and half-ran back down the trail to the cable car station. We made it in time before the 4pm last run, but then had to wait for 3-4 car loads ahead of us to get on. We drove back to Brasov, my pension where we could shower and put on clean dry clothes.

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