ENG The story goes that once upon a time the people went proud and forgot about both Old God and Old Judas (a literal translation from Vanajumal and Vanajuudas, the local folk/christian figures). Surely this could not be tolerated- that’s why they began to plot an intervention. After some long thinking, they finally stood up, grabbed the earth from both of its sides and together pushed it into the hilly and warped landcape that is today known as the Haanja Upland. But it suddenly became much more difficult to cultivate land! First, one had to force his horse to go uphill, which made for some really spicy curse words, including those towards Judas. When finally on the hilltop, however, saying „thank God“ would become common. Both of the plotters were happy to be remembered now. Let’s see if climbing Tsälbämägi hill will provoke the same type of feelings!
Eestimaa kaheksatuhandelised literally translates to „Estonia’s eight-thousanders“- a reference to what mountain climbers call the highest mountains on Earth. In contrast, the highest geographical features of Estonia are merely hills, about 300 metres from sea level, but because of their unique nature and cultural history are nevertheless worth climbing. The 20 highest hills of Estonia are now marked with caches, all of which are located in the Haanja Upland of southeastern Estonia, within a hiking distance from each other. When climbing on the slopes, you can also try to find the little white signs marking the highest point on each hill- the numbers on them show your current elevation from the sea level. These signs have been created by the so-called Lumeilves (snow lynx) initiative, that challenges you to climb the said hilltops with a two-day hike during wintertime. More information on that here: http://www.haanjamatkad.ee/index.php?page=5&hikings_id=17
When hiking in the nature, be sure to follow the principles of everyman’s right- try not to disturb the landowners on private property and avoid walking on people’s farmyards.
Good luck with the hike!
EST Kord ennemuistsel aal olevat inimesed uhkeks läinud ning Vanajumala ja Vanajuuda ära unustanud. Seda aga ei saanud ju ometi kannatada- sestap istusid asjaolised maha plaani pidama. Mõtlesid, mis nad mõtlesid, aga lõpuks võttis Vanajumal ühelt poolt ja Vanajuudas teiselt poolt kinni ning kahekesi lükkasid maa kõveraks ja künklikuks- täpselt niisuguseks nagu see Haanjamaa meil praegu on. Niiviisi oli ju aga palju raskem põldu künda! Kõigepealt pidi hobust mäkke piitsutama, küll siis vannuti Vanajuudast taga. Kui siis aga hobusega mäe otsa jõuti, pühiti laubalt higi ja lausuti „Jumalaletenno!“ Nüüd olid mõlemad suured rahul, et neid ikka meeles peeti. Eks ole näha, kas Tsälbämäele ronides saab mõni jälle loo läbi elada!
Eestimaa kaheksatuhandelised on aardesari, mille eesmärgiks on huvilistele tutvustada meie muidu nii tasase kodumaa kõige taevapoolsemaid piirkondi. Aare on peidetud Eestimaa kahekümne kõige kõrgemaleulatuva mäe otsa, millest kõik asuvad eranditult Kagu-Eestis Haanja kõrgustikul, üksteisest enam-vähem jalgsimatka kaugusel. Kuplitel hulkudes soovitan üles otsida ka valge sildike, mis mäe kõige kõrgemat paika tähistab- leiate sealt numbrid, mis näitavad, kui mitu meetrit te merepinna suhtes parasjagu ülalpool seisate. Märgistused on rajatud seoses niinimetatud lumeilvese initsiatiiviga, mis kutsub kõnealuseid mägesid vallutama talvel kahepäevase matka jooksul. Huvilistele ka reklaam: http://www.haanjamatkad.ee/index.php?page=5&hikings_id=17
Looduses liikudes palun arvestage igameheõiguse põhimõtetega- eramaal viibides jälgige, et te maaomanikke ei häiriks ning vältige taluõuel kõndimist.
Meeleolukat matka!