Let's discover the one of the still existing bog-forests of the
Ipoly-region, the most beautiful and versatile swamp-flora of the
county!
THE BOG
Égerláp (Éger-bog) is probably a piece of an ancient river-bed. You
can find some lukewarmy springs on the deeper areas, they neither
froze in winter. There are scattered alder trees standing in the
water amongst reeds, sedges and bushy areas. The regulation of
Ipoly river makes the real swamp-world shrinking. Since the bed of
Ipoly is somewhat deeper than the level of the bog, therefore in
the middle of summer (when the water level is lower) the water
flows away from the swamp towards the river.
The fauna is exteremly versatile, however it is changing and also
the flora is becoming to more bushy with willow trees. About 70
species of birds live on the area continuously.
APPROACHING THE CACHE
Leave the centre of the city of Balassagyarmat towards Szügy. Later
on turn around Nyírjes well after crossing the railway. Suggested
parking place is at N48 03.252' and E 19 16.440'. The hunting
requires at least 2-3 hours walking.
You can find the first cache under a fallen tree. There are the
first 2 letters of the 6 character long password and also both
coordinates of the 2nd point, futhermore one of the coordinates of
the 3rd pont.
After locating the first cache, it worth to go to the lake.
Following the GPS sign, you reach Segítõszûz Forrás (Helping Virgin
Spring), where you can find the 2nd cache (at the bottom of a
tree). The 3-4th chars of the pw and also the missing coordinate of
the 3rd point is with you now. (The water of the spring is clear,
you can drink it.)
Follow the yellow sign crossing the bridge. Turn righ at N48
02.708' E019,15.080', later on you go through a tunnel and reach a
glade. Walk into the forest at N48 02.885' E19 14.998', following a
narrow path (W-SW from the glade).
Please walk cautiously in the bog, you must not leave the
path!
The 3rd cache is hidden in an alder tree, there you can find the
las 2 letters of the pw.
We would like to draw your attention that THE LEVEL OF THE WATER
IN THE BOG IS FLUCTUATING BY THE SEASONS AND THE WEATHER! Our
pictures had been taken in June 2003, close to the path, but now
(August 2003) the bog is completely dry! We agree that a dry bog
can be disappointing, therefore - if you want to take photos like
ours - we do recommend to visit our cache in a more rainy part of
the year.
Please note carefully the fragments of the pw (all caps) and the
coordinates! Load your bag with gifts, since all cahces contains
something, that might worths to chage. One of the caches contains
also a camera, please take a photo, but leave the camera in the
cache, it is not a gift.
RETURNING
I sugggest to use the same track to return. However, you also can
go to E from the a.m. glade and walk along the railway. There is
not any "real" path there, but you can take some nice photos. At
the 4th tunnel it worth to climb on the rail-bank, but watch out
the trains! Walk towards the "Duna-Ipoly Unió Oktatóközpont"
(Training Centre of Duna-Ipoly Union), turn right and reach the
lakes after some 500m. Then use the coordinates of the 1st point
(turn left after the barrier, dirt road-farms-lakes). Watch out for
the dogs, they are not bounded in the evening (the last 500m of the
trip).
Prepare for mosquitoes! Take a bathing suit also, since you
could have a refreshing dive in the biggest lake.
We wish you a pleasant time!
Zsalaber & Bubo Doki
