Prospecting 1986: Negru (Black) Peak - Mitaci Hill (Cucu zone)

(South Harghita Mountains, Covasna county)

My first perimeter was very special. Firstly, because I was "parachuted" in the perimeter  quite alone, with a minimum of knowledge concerning the geological mapping methodology. I remember that in the first day  I spines around of the trailer, and when I tried to put the  observations points, I seed they that don't  go in, being too crowded. To recognize the terrain with a contour line map was about that time enough difficult. The perimeter was enough wild, in fact the more isolated and populated with wild beast from all my career.

My first perimeter was special, mainly because I "landed" in the perimeter quite alone, with little knowledge about geological mapping methodology. I remember the first day: I went around the trailer, gathered samples, taking notes. When I tried to put the observations points on the map, I had too many, the map became too crowded. It was quite difficult torecognize the terrain using a contour line map at that time. The perimeter was in middle of the wilderness, in fact the most isolated in my entire career, populated with beasts.

Porcu Hill (Wild Boar Hill) had a hunting reservation area in the middle of the perimeter, used as a hunting zone exclusively by communist party leaders. A charming hunting pavilion, carpeted and furnished, with big windows, was built at the edge of an isolated glade. There was a bear feeder in the middle of the glade. Bones hang higher so the bears had to stand up on hind legs becoming a easier / better target for the hunter. When I first saw the area, I was frightened by the skulls and bones scattered around, the silent remainder of the hunt and the bears' last meal.

My first encounter with a living wild bear was the most frightening experience. It was a foggy day in June, after rain. I was on top of the Porcu Hill. Suddenly, a hellish roar shuddered the forest, making my blood run cold. Then I saw a she bear, around 20 meters from me. She turned around, followed by two cubs. That was not my last encounter with a bear, but definitely the most unforgettable. I also come across other beasts, like wild boars. After the encounter with the she bear, I talked with my manager and he assigned a colleague to work with me for few weeks.