The Tatra Mountains · Something in the Mountains Counts People

The Tatra Mountains are the highest section of the Carpathians, with lakes scattered in glacial valleys; in winter snow and wind can bury the waymarks.

Mountain people tell of a “thing in the mountains that counts people”: it counts the members of a party, and takes away the quietest one. So the rule on the way up is to send the youngest last, and to talk while walking.

The rescue service advises something else, of course. They say only this: do not go into the mountains alone in winter, and turn back when the snow comes.

Natural Mysteries / Lesser Poland · Poland / Time immemorial