Peter Csiba View RSS

Ako ďalej po troch rokoch v pupku technológií? 16 Dec 2017 2:35 PM (7 years ago)

Čas letí. Pred troma rokmi som si dal do kalendára: Peťo, rozhodni sa čo ďalej.  A rozhodol som sa zostať ďalšie dva roky, čo je dobrá príležitosť na blog. (ospravedlňujem sa za kvalitu, lietadlo sa už hýbe).

 

Recept na čítanie: Zvestí sa nahromadilo viac ako bežný pojedač(ka) informácie dokáže stráviť, a tak každá podkapitola má jeden odsek ako aperitív. Ak vám zachutí, čítajte ďalej hlavný chod. Ak nie, tak kľudne do ďalšieho vývarovne

Obsah

Aký bol rok 2017? – Riaditeľský Brífing
Prečo tu zostávam a prečo by som sa vrátil?
– Ďalšie výhody:
– Prečo by som sa vrátil?
Aká je nová práca?
Aké je nové bývanie?
Prečo nové auto?
– Jak sa to stalo?
– Aké je nové auto?

Aký bol rok 2017? – Riaditeľský Brífing

    1.1.2017 sme si pripili na rok zmeny (2017 – prime time for a change). A tak sa aj stalo. Mám novú prácu, nové bývanie, nové auto, trvalý pobyt v USA (zelená karta). Mal som aj najdlhší čas bez Internetu od jeho úsvitu (26 dní cestovania po národných parkoch) a zamenil frisbee za lezenie, yogu a squash. Kníh som prečítal pomenej, zhltol som autobiografiu Arnolda Scwarzeneggera. A mám o dva zuby menej

50 fotiek z roku 2017

Prečo tu zostávam a prečo by som sa vrátil?

    Ľudia zväčša volia medzi dvoma cestami po škole. Rodina alebo kariéra (alebo borci-borkyne oboje ). Môj dospelý život začal kariérou a dostalo sa mi možnosti pracovať na projektoch svetovej úrovne – a také štastie treba využiť. Považujem to za obrovskú skúsenosť, ktorú by som rád raz zúročil na svojej rodnej hrudi.

    Cítim zaviazanosť voči tomu čo mi Slovensko dalo. Ad jedna enormné množstvo energie rodiny, bez ktorej by som sa len ťažko vyhrabal zo žita malej dediny až tak blízko k pupku sveta. Ad dva učiteľom, a celej infraštruktúre krajiny ktorú som tie roky používal zadarmo, len aby som platil mastné dane ekonomicky najbohatšej krajine sveta, ktorá navyše nie je najlepším príkladom ľudskosti. Mám pocit že i keď nám globalizácia zaručila viac blahobytu, malé krajiny so silným ľudským kapitálom na ňom značne prerábajú.

Ďalšie výhody:

• Top kolegovia. Keď si môžete dovoliť nábor z väčšiny sveta, máte potenciálne na výber 7 miliárd mozgov, čo sa prejaví aj na kvalite. Viac v odstavci “Aká je nová práca”?
• Milí, šťastní a rozmanití ľudia. Problémy sa riešia namiesto frflania. Spoznáte zvyky sveta, či už cez kolegov, kamarátov zo záľub alebo susedov. Indické svadby, Čínsky školský systém, rybárčenie na Aljaške, Mexické tancovanie, … , interné procesy všetkých značných firiem.
• Veľký svet. Všetky firmy tu myslia globálne. Krajiny ako Slovensko sa používajú hlavne ako skvelá krajina na testovanie nových produktov, ako telekomunikačné siete, internet banking alebo features sociálnych sietí.
• Pracovné príležitosti. To je hlavná výhoda USA. Proste sa tu maká – ak američanovi poviete že robíte 8h denne a máte 25 dní (a 13 sviatkov) dovolenky ročne, tak sa spýta aký máte bočný zárobok. Rodiny sa sťahujú za prácou aj cez celú krajinu (napr. Kolega po dvoch pivách s našimi zakladateľmi presťahoval ženu a dve deti z Chicaga do Kalifornie). Na druhej strane, ak ste dobrý,
  
  tak vám aj tak platia. Či už ste lekár, programátor, firemný právnik, …. začínate na úrovni 110usd ročne v hrubom plus rôzne formy bonusu, napr. v tech často dostanete k základu ešte equity na úrovni 10-50k ročne (ak vydržíte aspoň rok). Každý si už spočíta, že za dekádu môže ísť na dôstojný dôchodok.
• Cestovanie. Hlavne pre mladých dobroduhov, na pár rokov vypadnúť a spoznať “iný kraj iný mrav” je veľkým lákadlom. Povedzme si to na rovinu, keď sa usadíte tak najbližších pár rokov vám bude rozkazovať malé bábo. Každý vie, že akonáhle do rodiny príde nový šéf či šéfka, tak svojich kamarátov ani sveta najbližšie roky moc neuvidíte.

Prečo by som sa vrátil?

• Chýbate mi
• Cítim sa zaviazaný voči Slovensku.
• V USA veľa vecí nefunguje, značné plytvanie štátu, zdravotníctvo drahé a nefunkčné, dobré školy veľmi drahé a príliš súťaživé (stredoškoláci spáchavajú samovraždy kvôli tej záťaži). Početné monopoly až vykorisťujú občanov.
• Babičkine dobroty a poctivé pivo.

Aká je nová práca?

 Stále som softwareový inžinier na backende (infraštruktúre), ale v spoločnosti 130 ľudí, čo je veľkosť môjho predošlého tímu v Google-i. Trvalo mi asi 3mesiace, kým som si na to zvykol. Hlavným problémom bolo zvyknúť si na mieru “je to dostatočne dobré”, ktorá na dospelejšom projekte je vyššia.

V práci samotnej mám oveľa viac zodpovednosti (order execution), širší záber technológií a viac tvorivosti / voľnosti. Navyše mi vyhovuje aj rýchlejšie tempo v akčnom šikovnom kolektíve. Máme majstra USA v skladaní rubikovej kocky, ďalší je majster v Scrabble, polovica ľudí je zo Stanfordu a často na pohovore odmietam(e) ľudí z Google-u, či Facebook-u.

Kultúra je veľmi otvorená a uvoľnená, čo je na spoločnosti vo financiách veľmi zriedkavé. Obedy máme za dlhým stolom, čo umožňuje spoznať všetky aspekty firmy cez expertízu jednotlivých zamestnancov. Diskusie vedú k zvýšeniu finančnej gramotnosti a kreatívnym nápadom.

Robinhood ako firma má za misiu brať bohatým a dávať chudobným (Jánošík). Aktuálne ponúkame obchodovanie na burze bez poplatkov, kým priama konkurencia vyžaduje od klientov $5-10+ za transakciu. Ako teda zarábame? V prvom rade sme oveľa efektívnejší, namiesto 1500 ľudí máme 100. V druhom rade si klienti môžu mesačne extra priplatiť za extra služby, ako napríklad požičanie peňazí krytých ich portfóliom.

Je to bomba. Hovorím si, že sa cítim znovu mladý, a prinajhoršom môžem ísť na dôchodok v korporáte.

Aké je nové bývanie?

Jedna návšteva je tisíc slov Prídte ma pozrieť, mám hosťovskú ktorú odporúča už 6 ľudí!

Presťahoval som sa “hore” do San Francisca za mladými ľuďmi. Žijem na Potrero kopci, parádna terasa na grilovanie a videohovory, tajné dvere, čajové posedenie (na tú fotku ma byt zbalil) a celkovo má apartmán ducha. Domáci je bývalý maliar čo časť svojho života prežil v Paríži a vyhral sa s detaijlami (Akurát šachovnica v kuchyni je 7×7, tak aspoň mám šancu poraziť brata :P). Keď som prišiel pozrieť byt, tak sme dve hodiny kecali a celkom sme si sadli. Vo všetkom mi vyhovel.

Možno podstatnejšou zmenou je, že bývam sám prvýkrát v živote. Zatiaľ sa mi to páči, ťažko povedať či to stojí za zvýšenie nájmu.

Negatíva sú mierny hluk z diaľnice a dochádzanie “dole” do Palo Alta. Cesta vlakom je 1:05h jedným smerom, ale je to pekná prechádzka s 100m prevýšením denne. Verím, že z toho budem mať mimo iné fajný zadok. Miestny vlak je ako Oravská Anča rútiaca sa 100km/h, ktorá navyše aj hučí. Každopádne aj keď majú čo miestny doháňať za Európskymi vlakmi, na prácu za počítačom je komfort dostatočný.

Prečo nové auto?

No proste som nabúral kabriolet v novembri a v servise mi povedali, že oprava by stála viac ako som zaň dal. Tento nečakaný moment ma nakopol. Stratil som svoju tínedžerskú nezraniteľnosť, uvedomil som si že aj najmenší moment môže mať značný vplyv. Odvtedy sa zakaždým pýtam: “je to čo idem urobiť naozaj podstatné?”

Keďže auto je podstatná časť americkej kultúry, a ísť proti kultúre je unavujúce, tak som kúpil nové. Dopravný prostriedok potrebujem na výlety a nákupy, a hodí sa aj na cestu do práce, navyše mám parkovanie pri dome zadarmo (inak je to pár stoviek mesačne v meste).

Jak sa to stalo?

Bol to piatok a akurát sme išli pozrieť náš krásny nový kancel (je fakt parádny). Vyrazili sme zo starého kanclu a mierne som sa ponáhlal stále rozbehnutý z pracovného týždňa. Navyše šéf šéf (aka riaditeľ) má tiež červený kabriolet (ako druhé auto) a tak som ho chcel samozrejme trhnúť (čo nebol problém lebo on šiel opatrne s dieťaťom).

Priamo pri cieli som hľadal našu novú budovu. Odbočujem doľava cez jednopruhovú cestu s bicyklovým pruhom. Je zápcha, tak v hlavnom pruhu mi dobrák zastaví a kývne nech idem. Tak zdvihnem ruku ako vďaka, upriem pohľad na číslo budovy a dám plyn. Bum! Veľké SUV do mňa z pravého boku narazí a prakticky zničí celé pravé dvere (SUV stratilo len svetlá). Netreba diplom z fyziky aby ste si predstavili o koľko sa moje auto posunulo.

Bol som mierne v šoku a dlho som si to nechcel priznať. Našťastie sa nikomu nič nestalo a mal som hneď pri sebe skúsených kolegov čo vedeli čo treba robiť. Zavolali políciu, urobili fotky, vymenili sme si kontakty so šoférkou SUV. Policajt rozhodol, že to bola moja vina. Lebo ak odbočujem doľava, tak musím dať prednosť. Mám len minimálne poistenie (nie havaríjne), lebo  poistenie považujem za predražené ak máte dostatok kapitálu (1)

Policajt mi zavolal odťahovku, zobral som to do servisu hneď vedľa práce. Servis bol už piatok večer zatvorený, tak som to zložil na ulici. Opozdilý zamestananec si to všimol z jeho auta (o 7 večer v piatok), spýtal sa, že čo s tým nabúraným autom, že on tu pracuje, tak ma veľmi priateľsky vybavil aj keď už mali zatvorené. Zobrali sme auto na ich oplotené parkovisko a rozbitý okno obalil fóliou lebo začala sezóna dažďov. Starostlivosť o zákazníka je v USA naozaj na úrovni.

Tak som sa vrátil na firemnú párty, dal som si pivo a vyrazili sme do hôr si prevetrať hlavu. Najbližšie tri týždne som bol naozaj tichý, a priznám sa, mierne som sa bál chodiť cez cestu. Po kúpe nového auta sa pri každom odbočovaní vľavo trikrát pozriem. Určite ma táto skúsenosť zmenila.

(1)Kalifornia vám umožňuje zmraziť 35,000 dolárov namiesto poistenia (ktoré je pri nových autách je okolo 1000 ročne, čo je menej ako očakávaný výnos z akciového trhu či dlhopisov). Toto je inak ďalší prípad zdierania bežných ľudí korporáciami, lebo korporácie si často pre svoj vozový park založia vlastné poisťovne a všetky poistné udalosti si riešia interne. V minulosti poistenie fungovalo podobne aj s jednotlivcami, komunita sa zozbierala a keď bolo treba dakomu vypomôcť, tak sa čerpalo zo spoločného (aspoň tak som počul). Za poistné podvody sa platito sociálnym kapitálom, tj. boli ste vyhostený z komunity. Každopádne, je tu priestor pre firmu na zefektívnenie tohto procesu

Aké je nové auto?

Rozhodol som sa pre “americké kombi”, aka mini-SUV či crossover. Tak môžem chodiť na výlety, lyžovať či surfovať. Aj keď je výletov v poslednej dobe pomenej, sú o to zábavnejšie. Okrem svôjho mesačného odpočinku medzí prácami som zorganizoval dva puťáky, jeden z práce v Yosemite a druhý so slovákočechmi na Tahoe.

Študenti: Choďte na stáž 4 Nov 2017 12:16 PM (7 years ago)

TLDR TLDR

Ak študuješ, prihlás sa na letnú stáž v zahraničí. Otvorí Ti to oči, dá Ti to veľa. Ak váhaš, spýtaj sa kamoša(ky) čo bol(a).

Ak si na stáži bol(a), objednal jedlo a porozprávaj o tom na svojej Alma Mater.

Ak neštudujes, kopni do študentov.

TLDR

Najvyšší čas hlásiť sa na zahraničné stáže na leto 2018! – keďže väčšina medzinárodných stážistov má podpísané ešte pred Vianocami. Prečo ísť? Ochutnať si pracovný život, ktorým pravdepodobne strávite väčšinu vášho života. Spoznať ľudí, kultúry a príbehy z celého sveta. Trocha pocestovať. A taktiež si zarobíte dosť, v niektorých prípadoch dosť na to aby ste pohodlne finančne preplávali 3 ročným štúdiom na našom (Česko)Slovensku.

Návod, často kladené otázky, zoznam príbehov a horúca linka na Tvoje otázky sú predmetom tohto článku.

Osobná skúsenosť, t.j. Prečo toto píšem? (kľudne preskoč)

Short Story:

V posledných mesiacoch vediem veľa pohovorov. Ako prípravu si zrýchla pozriem CV kandidáta(ky). Zoznam ich stáží považujeme za silný signál – ak kandidát prešiel výberovým procesom Top spoločnosti, a robil(a) na ťažkých veciach, tak je pravdepodobne fajný(á). Praktickty to znamená, že kandidát rýchlo prejde cez recruiter screening a ja rýchlejšie prejdem k náročnejším otázkam.

Long Story:

Mojím životným krédom je neustále učenie sa. Jeho hlavným prvkom je konštantná sebereflexia, čo po sedliacky znamená ak som urobil(a) A, tak ako urobím A lepšie nabudúce (čo občas znamená nerobiť A vôbec). Verím, že tento princíp je všadeprítomný. Napr. upravovanie váh v umelých neurónových sieťach, zmena paragrafov v našich zákonoch, trénovanie vrcholových športov či vytváranie chutných receptov.

Po troch rokoch práce v USA sa na mojich 5 rokov, áno päť rokov, nezabudnuteľného štúdia na FMFI UK SK dívam trošku inak ako keď som študium skončil, a totálne inak ako keď som štúdium začal.

Matfyz som si vybral lebo sme boli silný ročník, učivo bolo porovnateľné s top svetovými školami a školné je oproti zahraničiu zanedbateľné (a platené štátom). Navyše Ti dostatok voľného času dáva skvelú možnosť na rozvoj samého seba. Ja som svoj voľný čas rozdelil na hlavné tri kategórie: part-time prácu (skúsenosti a príjem), organizovanie súťaží (dávať späť komunite, zábava) a vychádzanie s ľuďmi (čítaj párty, cestovanie, frisbee a Erasmus).

Takže čo na tento príbeh hovorí sebereflexia? Ľutuje dve (NE)rozhodnutia:

• NEšiel som na stáž (tento článok).

• NEšiel som na iného magistra (časť budúceho).

Hlavný dôvodom sebaľútosti je, že študentské časy sú najlepšiou príležitosťou na experimentovanie so samým(ou) sebou. Lebo keď budeš mať 30 (a príde to oveľa skôr ako si myslíš (ja som to tým starcom tiež neveril :P)), tak sa začne každý právom pýtať: čo ešte toľko vymýšľaš a čo vlastne chceš?

Čo?

Letná stáž je užitočne strávené zábavné leto v zahraničí. Taký intenzívny Erazmus, a ešte Ti často aj fajne zaplatia. Čo napísali ostatní:

• Skúsenosť Dizajnéra Filipa Šantu v Silicon Valley – rozhovor na refresher.sk

• Blog programátorov Márie a Laca na medium.com

• Stáž Radky Ostrížkovej ako HR Intern Hilton London – článok na muni.cz

• Tomáš Effenberg – prezentuje skúsenosti o ML v Google, London – článok na muni.cz

Kompletný zoznam spísaných skúseností na konci článku.

Prečo áno?

• Skúsenosť do životopisu. Práca na globálnych projektoch a veľkých systémoch otvára oči a posúva vás vpred. Z 50 plus pracovných pohovor čo som robil so študentmi, musím povedať, že ak mali 2-7 stáží v dobrých spoločnostiach, tak pohovor šiel oveľa lepšie. Často vedeli čo chcú, mali skúsenosť s fachom a to sa ráta.

• Spoznáš ľudí z celého sveta, rôzne kultúry a príbehy. Kamoši po celom sa vždy zídu. Prídu Ťa pozrieť, pôjdeš ich pozrieť. Alebo len zostanete v kontakte a o pár rokov keď budeš hľadať nové možnosti, možno akurát budú mať niečo pre teba.

• Experimentovať sám/sama so sebou. Po skončení školy si pravdepodobne budeš klásť otázku: čo teraz? Chcem robiť A, B, alebo C? Žit v X, Y alebo Z? Ak si si na tri mesiace nezáväzne vyskúšal(a) niektoré z A, B, C, X, Y, Z, tak máš informovanejšie rozhodnutie.

• Zlepšenie cudzieho jazyka. Verím, že jazyk sa najlepšie naučíš, keď ho musíš používať. Veľa stážistov rozpráva, ako moc sa im zlepšil cudzí jazyk.

• Work and travel na úrovni, veľa ľudí si po ukončení stáže zoberie dva tri týždne dovolenky, zavolá kamošov a partnerov, pocestuje okolo. Rozdiel oproti tradičnému work and travel je, že ste makali na sebe vo fachu čo vás zaujíma, a môžete si dovolenku dovoliť.

• Miera riskovania vekom klesá, takže ak sa teraz cítiš ako možno, tak o pár rokov to bude skôr nie.

• Ak ste v centrále vášho fachu, tak po ukončení stáže (alebo aj počas), si môžete dať týžden onsite pohovor. Osobne poznám ľudí, čo stáži v Google / AirBnB išli na pohovor k nám.

• Dostaneš zaplatené, a hlavne v IT a hlavne v drahých mestách sa to šplhá cez 5000eur mesačne mínus daň. Niektoré spoločnosti vám pomôžu s presťahovaním, alebo hľadaním ubytovania. Treba sa spýtať. Platobné podmienky IT: Offer sharing Reddit, Glassdoor sharing, Payscale (štrukturované) alebo  Quora.

Aj keby sa vám stáž nepáčila vo firme z vášho oboru / podoboru, tak to nezáväzne zistíte už počas štúdia, a nie až po nastúpení do trvalého pracovného pomeru – Petra Kubincová

Kde ísť? Ako nájsť príležitosti?

TLDR: https://www.reddit.com/r/cscareerquestions/comments/5y82jk/salary_sharing_thread_for_interns_march_2016/

Väčšina ľudí začne s veľkými firmami. Napríklad v IT, ak ste spravili pohovory do Google-u, tak sa na vás v ostatných firmách budú pozerať inak. Tak si vyber 5-15. Ak máš špecifickejší záujem, internet a sieť známostí je Ti na pomoci:

• https://www.leaf.sk/pre-studentov/ (len pre Slovákov)

• https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/summer-internship-jobs-san-francisco-ca/ (DIY)

• https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15601729 (YOLO)

• http://starlift.org/

• https://dosveta.muni.cz/ (len pre študentov Masarykovej)

• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-top-companies-startups-50-industry-disruptors-daniel-roth

• Dobrým spôsobom je sledovať investované VC peniaze, napr. https://a16z.com/portfolio/

• Alebo ak miluješ istý produkt, napíš im a choď ho vylepšiť

• Erasmus+

• Ak chceš byť lokálny: Operam, Exponea, Innovatrics, Photoneo, Gooddata, Angelcam, Represent, FinViz.

Jak sa predať?

Najlepšia prezentácia interna akú som videl: http://marekdlugos.github.io/TakeMeAsIntern/

• Zrob si CV (stačí jednoducho a k veci). Moje (LaTeX).

• Ideálne chceš, aby Ťa niekto z danej spoločnosti odporúčil. Buď aktuálny zamestnanec, alebo bývalí stážista. Pozri sa na Apendix, prípadne mi napíš a spojím Ťa s niekým.

• Predtým ako sa budeš rozprávať s recruiterom, zodpovedz si otázku: prečo by Ťa mali prijať?

Ako pohovor? (Špecifické pre programátorov).

Viac o hľadaní práce a programátorských pohovoroch v mojom predošlom blogu, detailná Tomášová skúsenosť (slide-i). TLDR:

• Nadrilluješ interview. Na internship sa často hodnotí len “Generic Cognitive Ability”. Pre IT, to znamená algoritmické interview. Prejdi si “Cracking the Coding Interview”, porieš ACM https://people.ksp.sk/~acm  / codeforces.com / topcoder.

• (Ak sa necítiš v angličtine) Pozri si anglické filmy kde sa dosť rozpráva, ideálne s prízvukmi. Rozprávaj sa týždeň s kamošmi len anglicky. Alebo čokoľvek čo Ťa rozhovorí, u mňa fungovalo jedno malé pivo pred pohovorom

• Skúšobný pohovor. Buď sa dohodni s kamošom(kou) nech Ťa odskúša, alebo si daj prvý pohovor so spoločnosťou na ktorej Ti až toľko nezáleží, alebo mi zavolaj a odskúšam Ťa

Ako život v zahraničí?

• Ubytovanie sa ťažko hľadá na diaľku. Dočasne vieš u nás slovákov / AirBnB / Couchsurfing prespať na týždeň, a za ten týždeň si isto nájdeš fajné ubytko. Veľa študentov začínajúcich v Septembri berie ročné kontrakty a chodia na leto prečo, stážista je pre študenta idealná výplň letného nájmu.

• Ako spoznám ľudí? Veľké spoločnosti organizujú eventy. Veľmi dobrý spôsob je upísať sa na voľnočasové aktivity, napr. Ja som spoznal kopu lokálov cez frisbee.

• Cudzí jazyk? Po mesiaci sa do toho dostaneš.

FAQ:

• V zahraničí je draho. Spýtaj sa univerzity na štipendium. Zober si pôžičku a splatíš ju z prvého/nástupného platu. Spýtaj sa firmy na podporu ubytovania.

• Koľkým spoločnostiam poslať CV? Všetkým, všetky hľadajú mozgy ako Ty. Študenti sa bežne hlásia aspoň na desať. Vypočuj si tohto týpka čo mal 20 pohovor za 3 dni.

• Mimo leta? Všetky spoločnosti neustále bojujú o Teba – šikovného človeka – čo Ťa dáva do sedadla šoféra. Pýtaj, dostaneš. Často sa chodí aj na jeseň / zimu, niektoré školy dedikujú semester stážiam. Zopár kamošov malo počas štúdia 6 či 8 stáži (University of Waterloo je tým známe).

• Ja na to nemám. Pozri sa da zrkadla, a povedzi si, že si fajná(ý). Minimal requirements pre Google (t.j. Každý IT študent):

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

  – Currently pursuing a BS, MS or PhD degree in Computer Science or a related technical field. Typically within 6-12 months of completing a Bachelor’s, Master’s degree or PhD.

  – Experience with one or more general purpose programming languages including but not limited to: Java, C++, Python or Go.

Preferred qualifications:

  – Experience in systems software or algorithms.

  – Knowledge of Unix/Linux or Windows environment, and APIs.

  – Familiarity with TCP/IP and network programming.

• Ja len chcem prísť na výlet. Lokálna slovenská komunita je rada za každú návštevu! Či už potrebuješ poradiť čo tu, pohodlný gauč alebo sprievodcu po tvojej obľúbenej nadnárodne spoločnosti, sme tu pre Teba

• Ďalšie otázky: napíš mi na: petherz na dží mejl bodka com.

 

Apendix: Zoznam stážistov na inšpiráciu:

S blogmi a článkami:

Vojtěch Uhlíř, Full-stack Python Google Flights, Boston, Prednáška o stážiach. “Proč (stáž) až tak pozde? Proď jsme do toho nešli už drív?”

Karolína Szamková, Special Political and Decolonization Committee at United Nations, New York, článok na muni.cz: “Otevřelo mi to oči a ukázalo mi to, že to, co studuju, má smysl. Byl to zlomový bod, kdy jsem si řekla, že si za tím prostě chci jít”

Marek Dlugoš, dizajnér, Fanhandle Hawaii, Shopify, IceWarp. Ukážka jak sa predať.

Ľudmila Rozporková, Nordic House, Iceland, článok na muni.cz “Stáž mi toho hrozně moc dala”.

Filip Šanta, dizajnér v Nitro, článok refresher. “Veľmi veľa skúsenosti, ktoré budem vedieť zužitkovať či už pri ďalšej práci alebo v mojej vlastne firme.”

Radka Ostrížková, HR Intern Hilton London, článok na muni.cz “Člověk si také ujasní priority, zjistí, kde chce žít, zda mu vyhovuje menší město a česká povaha, nebo multikulturní prostředí a desetimilionové město”

Tomáš Effenberg, Neuronové siete na detekciu spamu, Google, London: článok na muni.cz: “Hlavně jsem chtěl získat pracovní zkušenost v nějaké rozumné firmě – vylézt na chvíli ze své akademické bubliny a zjistit, jak to chodí ve světě, kde je potřeba dosáhnout praktických výsledků”

Jozef Marko, článok na cas.sk, Global pages infrastructure at Facebook, ML performance at Google.

Skúsenosť Programátora Joža Marka na muni.cz

Mirek Klimoš, kompilátor PHP vo Facebook-u, Mirekov blog

Peter Ondrúska, Intern at MetaMind, Dynamic memory networks for natural language processing. Predtým intern Microsoft Research, Google Engineer Intern on ODR, Facebook Engineering Intern.

Hynek Jemelík, intern Imo.im (spam), Dropbox (message processing), Asana

Jakub Konečný, 2x Research Intern at Google, teraz research Scientist at Google.

Tomáš Virgl zefektívnenie procesora iPhone-u, predtým 2x internship v Google-i.

Lukáš Platinský, 2x Google Intern, 3D scanning a Flight Search.

Matej Balog,  4x Research Intern Microsoft (Cognition goup, 2x ML and Perception, Bing Core Relevance)

Tomáš Vyskočil, 3x intern Google, 2x intern Centre for Quantum Technologies

Filip Hlásek, ACM World Finals, 2x intern Facebook (Hack, Ads Infrastructure).

Jozef Mokrý, intern Google (neural machine translation), Facebook, Microsoft.

Matej Hamaš, intern Palantir (full-stack monitoring), Facebook (Android React) a Skype (plugins).

Soňa Galovičová, intern Google Translate (domain adaptation), Facebook, Softwire

Mária Solárová, blog o stáži v Google (Identity), intern Skyscanner (hotels fronte end), intern SAS.

Ladislav Pápay,  blog o stáži v Google (log processing)

Dominik Csiba intern Innovatrics (fingerprint recognition), intern Amazon (ad allocation).

Štepán Šimsa, 2x intern at Google (parallelized pseudorandom generator, web crawler), intern at Blue Vision Labs

Mária Kieferová, Intern in Quantum Architecture and Computation Group

Viktor Farkaš, intern Amazon (AWS console), 2x intern Google (web apps devkit), intern at Intentional.

Mojmír Mútny, Research intern Jacobs Uni, Heidelber Uni

Tomáš Halgaš, Growth Intern Facebook, Improving friend suggestions.

Daniel Lovásko, German Artificial Intelligence Research Centre, algorithms and open source.

Bruno Cuc, intern Optiver (HFT infra analysis), intern CERN (Invenio library), intern Barclays (equity trading).

Alžbeta Dlhá, intern v Credit Suisse, Sosha, Royal Bank of Scotland, McKinsey and Company.

Vojta Létal, intern DataScience bootcamp.

Ondrej Cifka, 2x intern at Google.

Ondrej Švec, intern Google AdWords team.

Jirka Čermák, Effect of additional supervision on the deep neural networks performance in object detection, Google, USA.

Vojtech Létal, Spark and Scale data science bootcamp, DataScience, Los Angeles

Jozef Brandys, intern at Google Seattle.

Petra Hozzová, intern Google (Hotels backend team)

Jano Hozza, 2x intern Facebook

Andrej Mariš, intern Google

Michal Hozza, 2x intern Facebook, intern 7Segments

Pavol Guričan, 2x intern Metaswitch (managing network features).

Natália Guričanová, 2x intern Metaswitch

Hunting for an in-demand job – lessons learned. 4 Jul 2017 8:48 AM (8 years ago)

How to read this?

• If you super-happy with your job, you can close this tab now.

• If you’re (or want to be) an entrepreneur, you can close this tab now and return to your business.

• If you’ve 2 minutes: Ctrl+F “TLDR”.

• If you considering a career change, briefly look through and find the part which you feel unsure/confused about and get some inspiration. Ask for missing data, I’m happy to share more from my brief experience (if it helps).

• If you just mindlessly surfing around, stop and do something meaningful.

Introduction

I wanted to change my job (why? below) and spent over two months doing so. As you were asking me questions of my experience, I’ve compiled my notes into this blogpost which hopefully answers most of your questions. If not, please feel encouraged to asked them.

TLDR;

My job hunt strategy was “exhaustive search”, trying out everything out there within my free time. Had 10 onsites and chatted with ~50 companies. And it was fun, you can get to chat with cool people, get to know how all kind of companies operate and how they create value. Also, you’re at center of the attention and get praised all the time

For those short on time, after reading this sections, feel free to skip to Lessons Learned -> TLDR;

I was looking a tech job (more jobs than people market). That means you are really wanted and thus you can lead the process, negotiate terms or even create a position for yourself in a company you love.

In such a market, competition between companies for talent is aggressive, which fuels a big pool of recruiters getting about ~5-10% of your starting salary (it’s complicated[quora]) which leads to inherent bias. Actually everything you hear, recruiters, CEOs, employees has a positive bias, because they work for the company (to see the other side, look for ex-employees, critical press, ask competitors).

The most important notion is that it’s a matchmaking between your desires and the companies needs. As in dating, there a lot of options, constrained by unique individual preferences. But there is one big difference, you’re signing a 40h+/week relationship for years+ based upon ~20h (biased) experience. That introduces difference in expectations and reality.

Stats

Start -> Signing and offer: 2.5 months.

• 6 Offers (Robinhood, Scale API, Two Sigma, Bridgewater, Laserlike, AI team @Apple).

• 8 Onsites (MapD, +Duetto; +2 in 2016: Voleon, Facebook)

• 15+ Recruiter calls

• 12+ Phone screens (super-basic “it’s a potential match?” call, usually through email)

• 17+ Phone tech interviews

• 20+ Follow up calls

• 172 email threads

• 3 Homeworks (3h+)

• 3 Culture events

Prose

I had a good job at Google, working on one of the most computationally intense projects in the world with top class colleagues. That shear scale introduces a plethora of diverse exciting problems, from cpu profiling to custom load balancing. My favorite kind of work felt like playful physics: observe, introduce a hypothesis, design experiments, run them, build datasets, evaluate hypothesis and then use the results. Big playground, lot of fun.

So what made me change? It was my first job, the project was kinda done and therefore wanted to see what’s out there before “retiring” at Google.

After deciding to change, first I’ve set my LinkedIn: “open to change” and expected to easily settle an exciting job in a month or so. But the process took 2.5months (peaking in middle) and it ended up as an almost full-time job (used up 12 days of my vacation).

That was a lot of energy spent and looking back, I believe I could’ve been much more effective. So this post is about it. I bet there are plenty of similar ones, so feel to take inspiration from those too. Like this guy just networked like a boss. Or you join your best friends. Or you start your own. Or this guy just follow what top VCs were doing: <quote quora>I strongly recommend the top VC portfolio company approach as opposed to skimming job boards (e.g., Startuply) because the top VCs do such a good job of screening the founders, idea, and market.</quote>

Lessons Learned

Lesson 0: Apply for Green Card right away. Like now, do it now if you didn’t yet. You shouldn’t be reading this sentence if didn’t do it yet

TLDR;

It’s tough problem. First, you have a lot of personal preferences. Second, there a lot of options. Third, there is a ton of unknown/hidden data, because you can’t afford spending too much time with a company. Remind yourself that both you and the company are spending ~12h to decide if you will have a 12month+ relationship.

Most importantly, decide what you really want and say it out consistently. Write it down and revisit it often – as it’s easy to get lost. Take notes after interviews and evaluate how it fits your preferences – this is important as over time you will remember only emotions, and usually the more recent ones outweigh the older ones. Stay in charge of your career, don’t get swayed too much by opinions of others.

How to search for job? Follow money, check press, sign up for job search sites. Also have sub-deadlines and sub-goals, e.g. I will spend 1h looking for hot SF biotech startup jobs and reach out to 10 of them – as it’s easy to get side-tracked and lost in the sea of possibilities.

Constantly remind yourself, that all the information you get it’s biased. Recruiters want you to get hired, CEO wants to hired, you hear only employees who stayed (you can try ex-employees, competition, critical press for the other side). It feels like a poker game – there is a lot of unknowns. As you gradually spend more time with a company, and as interview rounds progress it’s harder to fold. But you have only so much time (chips), so spend them wisely – stop a process if you don’t feel strong about it, i.e.: “Would I like to work for the company even if every unknown would be best possible?”.

Nail down what you want

• Write a 2-3 sentence elevator pitch of your dream job. Read it often.

• Decide what properties of the job your care the most. Examples: Challenging? Field? Money? Location? Colleagues? Product? Culture fit? Company size? Growth?.

• Tell your closest friends, re-iterate your pitch, post it publicly (if it’s ok with current job).

• Put your pitch into LinkedIN career interests – this actually worked pretty well with me.

Example:

“Interested in jobs between software engineering and research, e.g Data Engineer / ML Engineer. I like to run experiments. Ideally in a growing team of a tech-focused company.

My mistake was NOT sharing this with my network, and often forgetting about my goal.

Update your resume

Pro-tip: If you really like a particular company, customize your resume for them.

There are tons of resources how to write a good one. TLDR; Proofread, one-page, be sure to correctly assess your skills, i.e. expert in C++ means you’re contributing to the language or community. Companies will ask questions about your claimed skills.

Example: My resume (pdf). LaTeX version.

Advertise yourself

Don’t just wait like a princess in a tower for your charming job. Make yourself known for your strengths, be desirable for companies. Consider this economist mayor who had 20+ interviews in 3 days.

• Check “Let recruiters know you’re open” on LinkedIN – this works. Remember filling out your career interests.

• Post your resume around job search sites – although this didn’t work out with me that well, the effort is minimal (Tried Vettery, Indeed, and couple more).

• Let know both your closest and weakest connections about your career interests. Realize that the weaker the connection, the bigger the expected change in jobs. This I should’ve done more.

• Network (I didn’t do that).

• Ping your formerly declined recruiters.

If you’ve a friendly manager, let them know at some point that you’re leaving. That enables you to publicly post on all the networks.

Frankly, I suck at marketing, so it’s probable that “doing it your way” is better.

Reach out to companies yourself

TLDR; Follow the money. Check out your favorite investors and see the companies they put money into. This I should’ve done.

• Go to Crunchbase / Angellist.

• Go through news lists such as “10 hottest companies in [your preferences]”

• Check your favorite startup incubators,

• Check where your weak connections work. Use them as introduction and referrals.

• If you really loved some product, consider working for the company.

• Sign up for LinkedIn premium (first month free), get company metrics (headcount through time) and check out their employees profiles, you can even stalk them on shiny FB.

Recruiters

TLDR; Most of them are not so good. I’ve found the best ones being specialized to a dozen of companies.

How do you recognize them? Experience will teach you.

• The not so good ones only go for quantity, trying to connect everybody with all jobs, which are often unrelated cause they’ve no technical background. Sometimes they fill out an internal job search form for you – that’s waste of time.

• The better ones try to understand your desires, your personality and your dream job. They ask non-standard and open ended questions. They are frank, show also cons.

Personally, I had the best experience with “we clicked” recruiters, i.e. we had a 30 minute super-fun chat, similar backgrounds and so. These recruiters are important for finding matching smaller companies, because if the recruiter “clicks” with a company, and you “click” with the recruiter, then from transitivity you also “click” with the company. And being a culture fit matters the more the smaller the company is.

Tip: Hide your salary.

Stay organized

TLDR; Have a calendar, and track your feedback on how the company matches your preferences. Know what information you’re missing.

After a dozen chats I started to loose track and only recall feelings. So I took notes,  especially noted what I really liked, what I disliked and questions to ask in the follow up rounds.

Tips: Have a calendar with upcoming calls and onsites (ideally if you can export your availability fast as recruiters ask it often through email), save numbers with “Recruiter + Company name” (it’s nice to show you know who is calling).

Screening interviews

Goal: Initial contact, find out if there is a potential match between your and the company’s needs.

TLDR; Prepare questions. Show your interest.

Make sure you articulate well what you want (elevator pitch), it’s better to err on being too specific than having no preference.

Have company specific questions, if there is new or controversial press, ask about it.

Tell truth. Be friendly. Poke culture fit. Hide your salary.

Have a good story about your previous job: Why are you leaving? – everybody asks that).

Ask about the interview process, what should you prepare, etc..

Technical phone interviews

TLDR; Practice. Review CS fundamentals. Draft mock design docs. Check out Appendix – Questions. There are also whole books on this topic, e.g. Cracking the Coding Interview. Go into details, as it’s easy to bulshit about abstract stuff. Review your interviews, especially what you didn’t know, and learn it before the next interview.

Every company has a different approach. Some big companies just hire “smart enough” people and find a position later (e.g. Goog, FB), some have a specific role in mind and ask specialized questions for that particular position (e.g. Appl, Amzn).

Practice first. Get in shape. Recognize your weaknesses and fix them. If you recently didn’t do any interviews, schedule some mock ones. Or just schedule real ones with companies which you are “not that interested” in.

Code some algorithms (codeforces / topcoder / hackerrank / KSP / …), review CS fundamentals, review systems design, DBs. Solve system design questions, e.g. propose design of Google Suggest.

Interview them too. Prepare questions. Go into details. Remind yourself you are having a discussion with your future colleague: “Do I really want to work with them?”

E.g. in my case, I like to work with smart and fun people, so I discuss tougher versions of the original problem, casually throw in some math, go into details and see if they follow or even better, build on top of that. Spice it with some geeky jokes and see how they react.

Regarding phone. Talk your thoughts all the time, reinforce it by writing the gist down, e.g. comment the code. Remember the information throughput through voice is low, so use any trick you can think of to make yourself clear.

And most importantly, have fun! If you stressed, fix it. Have a beer, take a nap, listen calm music or play some counter strike – whatever works for you, just make sure you present your true self.

Pro-tip: Say if you know the technical question (after awhile, they start repeating).

Onsite interview

TLDR; If you don’t really like company that much, don’t do it. An onsite interview will take your full day and you will come back exhausted. It’s not worth as a practice, rather do phone screens instead. Remind yourself that if you accept, you will likely stick with them for years.

Goals are:

–  Company’s goal: Verifies that your skill claims in CV are true and if it matches the position they have in mind. They usually look for red flags and your future growth.

– Your goal: Get data to all your criteria for decision (What I really want?). After the onsite, you should be able to respond: “Do I want to work there?”.

This is the best shot to get to know each other – so prepare a lot of questions, about the company, culture, press and most importantly directly ask the criteria you care about, e.g. what’s a challenging problem you solved? how do you make profit? – it didn’t add up for me. Where is the product headed? Growth plan? Location change? Commute? And so.

Technical is similar to phone screens, although they usually go deeper. The whiteboard enables higher information throughput, so use it extensively.

Definitely expect “thematic” questions which are usually subset of: “How would you design the IT of this company? E.g. when interviewing for Google, you can have questions like: “How would you design Google Suggest?”, or if applying for ML infra, then “How would you design Tensor Flow?”.

For a lot of companies culture fit is really important and they ask questions like: “What’s your biggest weakness?”, “How would you contribute to the culture?”, “What are you proud of?”, “How do you resolve conflict?”, “What’s your biggest weakness? How you address it?” (tell truth). Usually the smaller the company, the more of those you get.

Be yourself. There is no reason to hide anything, if you end up working there, it will surface up anyway.

Decision making

Good job, you are getting offers!

TLDR; (rational way) Have a spreadsheet with rows: your weighted attributes (dimensions: people, mission, location, …), columns: favorite companies, compute the scalar product and take the maximum (example). Review your notes, you’ve a bias towards more recent onsites, as your feelings are fresher.

Frankly, this was the most consuming part for me. All of the offers I was willing to take, but I could only take one. So I made a giant spreadsheet with all my valued attributes and filled it out for each company with an offer. Also tried to include how confident I’m in the data.

You can see that I’ve a strong need for data to backup my decisions. And as it goes with data, lot of it was missing and dirty. But luckily, all the companies are super-happy to schedule follow ups for anything you might want. E.g. meet with the CEO, with your team, future manager, lawyers regarding visa – anything you wish. If you unsure about the culture fit, you can get a dinner / lunch / board games / mini-offisite with them. You can ask for almost anything in the follow up. One of the companies even proposed to fly me over to the other coast and rent me a car, just that I can look around the neighborhood and how I might like it. Remind yourself that you’re in charge of your own career, so ask for what you need.

Obviously, it’s helpful to discuss your important decision with your friends. Their biggest added value are the questions they ask you, usually important obvious questions you missed – so just channel it and ask the companies. E.g. How they make profit? What about this service doing the same? What if this big company dedicates a department for it? What will be your job? Is that you really wanted? Do you really want to work on that migration? How were the people? Were you interviewing with people you will end up working?

Note: Don’t decide based on recommendation of others – as they have far less data than you, and different preferences. But trust their questions, they have a good relaxed big picture.

Company’s side

From the company’s side, the most important questions are:

• Do you have the skillset needed for the job? (your current state)

• Would you thrive here a year from now? (you smart).

• Culture fit.

Also note that a company would rather have false negatives (miss to hire a good candidate), than hire false positives (hire non-fit). Sometimes you get rejected just because the company didn’t gather enough data on you – so be loud, let them know you.

Negotiating

TLDR; Companies are almost always willing to give you more.

I’m not a big fan of negotiating offers, but it’s worth it. What I ended up doing, was that I was sending all offers to all companies – so they can bid for me. Remember, you in high demand, which means your valuation goes up. It was a similar practice to buying a new car, you can negotiate the price by sending best quotes around dealerships.

Should you tell them your salary? All of companies ask for it. If you have only 1-2 offers, I’m saying “strong no” on behalf of my really good recruiter friend. Why? Because it doesn’t help you. I.e. the company has already [A, B] salary spread in mind. If you tell them your salary or your expectation C, you will get min(C * (1 + x), B) where x is a multiplier of how much they like you. If you don’t tell your salary, they will propose you (A * (1 – x) + B * x) – weighted average of the spread. If this is higher than C, take it. If it’s lower, negotiate to be higher than C by e.g. saying C. This is like bartering on a Turkish market (which I suck with).

I told my salary and negotiated through circulating my offers.

Pro-tip immigrants: Beware that the U.S. government wanted to impose minimum salaries for H1-B and GC holders (130k and 140k respectively)

Stock Options

But how I compare 175,000 + 90 * (1 + x) bonus offer too 125,000 + 0.7% of a 70M company over 4 years with 1y cliff? And what about stock dilution? When I can sell those shares? And how the fuck the taxes work? What if they go bankrupt? What is the salary growth expectation?

Learn something about NSO / ISO (ISO is more tax flexible, but more complicated). What’s a strike price, when you can sell it, expected stock dilution and tax consequences (AMT). Note, your employer can’t legally give you any tax advice.

Conclusion

The job hunt process takes a big toll on your energy, especially when you choose to go with “let’s try it all” strategy instead of “I trust my gut / best friend / God / …”. In any case, I actually had a lot fun, it was refreshing to solve quick interview questions. And it also feels good being in the center of conversation

In the end, I’ve decided to prefer a mission over challenging research-y problems. It wasn’t an easy decision, it contained a lot of emotions, uncertainty, biased facts and opinions.

My biggest lesson learned was that I need to take control, i.e. be more decisive and ask for what I want.

FAQ

• Why I’ve decided to leave Google?

• Opportunity. Because I can do it. If I was in Europe, there are much less options for software / data / tech jobs. E.g. I keep telling my Slovak Googler Zurich friends (20+ of them) what if you get pissed by working at Google? Would you go for a swiss bank? Would you move? Ok, there is ETH, IBM and bitcoin startups but that’s it. The Valley has much more options.

• Social circle coverage. The Slovak tech community already has tons of Google experience, so it’s far from being sexy anymore. By working on sth special, my work experience datapoint has significantly higher value for my surounding community.

• I’ve felt I’m disconnecting from the outside world. Google is “an almost ideal micro-world” embedded in the real world. Everything is in-house, from infrastructure, through recruiting, food, to lecture materials (those feel like a top-notch university, some people stay just because the learning materials are amazing).

• Why not just change teams? I felt all the exciting positions at Google are taken by somebody more experienced, more suited. As working there leads to such an easy life with super-challenging problems, Google has lured and kept top talent.

• Why a smaller company?

• I’m young and I like to move fast.

• Risk seeking decreases over time and I can always come back to a big mature company.

• Broaden my skillset. The bigger the company, the more specialized gear you become.

• What are decision attributes? If a startup – join missions and causes you care about – because that will keep you going through inevitable tough times. If you want to learn a particular skill, then big companies are better – because you can focus on that. Keep in mind, if you want to learn something new, it costs the company to let your learn before you can use it.

• What about visa? Note H1-B now has a 60day grace period – so you can be unemployed for 2 months. If you’ve an approved I-140 with an EAD, you can clear with your company that they will not revoke the process and port it with AC 21.

Appendix: Non-exhaustive list of questions I’ve been asked during all my interviews

Just to roughly know how it looks like. I’m happy to discuss those, but won’t say which company asked which question so you can prepare.

Non-technical

These you should respond for yourself before heading out.

• Why are you leaving X? Why not changing teams?  (Asked almost every time)

• How do you resolve conflict between teammates? (asked multiple times)

• What’s your weakness? (often) How do you address it? How you evaluate progress?

• What’s your biggest strength? What are you proud of yourself?

• What would you like to work on? What you seek in your next job?

Other

• Side projects you work on? Do you contribute to open source?

• Fill out this 200 question personality test.

• How would you contribute to the culture?

• What you did at Y? What were your responsibilities? What your contributions?

• Are you willing to move to east coast?

• How did you find out about us?

• Do you use the app?

• Are you eligible to work at USA? Do you require visa sponsorship?

• What would help to decide?

• What can I do now for you, so you take the offer now?

Technical

(Asked almost every time): What were you doing at Google? Can you talk about two projects where you had significantly contributed?

(Very often): What’s a recent challenging project you solved?

• (Common) What’s the difference between Threads and Processes?

• (Common) What’s the difference between TCP and UDP?

• What are the tradeoffs? Memmory/Cpu, Throughput/Latency, Robustness/Scalability, …

• Verify a tree has the binary tree property.

• String match with any permutation of the pattern.

• eval(a+b) like expressions

• How does Unix pipe work?

• Slice a file.

• IP address regexp match.

• Python dictionary merge? Then sort by values.

• Git rebase, you want to fix commits A, B, C with A’, B’, C’

• (Any language) Increment a number in an array based representation

• You’ve an infinitely long streaming log, you want to maintain a uniformly random sample of size K.

• Implement SetInterval(i,j,value) and GetValue(i)

• How does a max distribution of K (first K=2) uniformly random variables look like?

• Design interest recommendation

• Design knowledge graph

• Reverse vowels in a string

• Solve a tilt maze (if you start going on way, you’ve to go until next wall)

• Implement run length encoding. What if arbitrary characters can be on the input? Briefly explain how would you decode.

• What’s a weakness of JSON? Design a way to serialize a Python object into JSON and back. (That’s essentially Pickle).

• Design a distributed system for neural network computations.

• Remove nodes from a forest.

• Design models for human task evaluation with cross-checking and deadlines.

• C++ pointers, naked, unqiue, shared, weak and where do you use them?

• Number of components of a graph.

• Given a set of words and a starting word, you can jump to another word by changing one character. What’s the maximum number of jumps you can do?

• How does virtual memory work?

• CPU vs GPU

• How balanced search trees work? Compare them to B-trees.

• How would you find the smallest (by layers size) neural network for a given task?

• What’s a re-entrant Mutex (spin lock) and what’s good for?

• How are threads implemented in Python?

• How do convolution neural networks work?

• How would you find and fix a bug in a distributed system?

• Python fundamentals.

• How does k-mean clustering work?

• Design a key:value storage for an analytics system. E.g. want to support, Count, Min, Max, Stddev, Ema. Hm, maybe it was just logging (url, timestamp) and design those distributed operations over it.

• Number of inversions in a permutation.

• Simplified multi-string match, list of words of length 3 and find the shortest substring containing a permutation of them (e.g. [abc, foo, bar] in string ganbdbarfooabcgj)

• Compact tree: transform a tree such that has nodes only with 0 or N children, and if A was parent of B in the original one, B can’t be a parent of A in the transformed one.

• Iterate through a tree in a BFS manner. Design a tree which allows this without overhead of a stack.

• Word wrap, i.e. given a string containing words, return the shortest list of strings where each string has length <= 80 AND all the words are preserved (you cannot split a word into multiple lines).

• How do you search for similar images?

• Differences between Hashmap and BinarySearch?

• Essentially an segment tree

• What does clean code mean to you? (multiple times)

• Design an image search system

• What are important practices in C++ to look for?

• How does the const keyword work?

• How does virtual work?

• Find the biggest rectangle in the point cloud? The R can be rotated, doesn’t have to be exact match. How do I decide that four points make up a rectangle?

• Find a loop in a linked list.

• Delete an element from linked list.

• Sort and array with custom sort order.

• Swap elements in a “#define” macro.

• Implement a peek iterator

• Variance vs. bias tradeoff

• Find duplicate files in a huge filesystem

• Implement a counter with increment, count(last 5mins)

• Find a value occurring ½ times in the array, if there isn’t output null.

• How would you execute a stock exchange order?

• Design an ATM. Interfaces for components like card reader, display, bank connection, …

• Design an elevator. Use cases, goals.

• Design a personal library, DB data model

• What are error codes of HTTP?

• Implement a sudoku solver

• Do any of the K queens on this infinite board with stones attack each other?

• Implement a LRU cache (this problem is common, often masked)

• You can make two trades, you have the full history, compute the maximum profit.

• Get prepared to discuss this article.

• Get full file paths from a directory layout.

• Do 4 integers in an array sum up to K?

• (Homework) Implement a stock exchange processing Market/Limit and Buy/Sell orders

• (Homework) Given an arbitrary text document written in English, write a program that will generate a concordance, i.e. an alphabetical list of all word occurrences, labeled with word frequencies. Bonus: label each word with the sentence numbers in which each occurrence appeared.

• (Homework) A Blob is a shape in two-dimensional integer coordinate space where all cells have at least one adjoining cell to the right, left, top, or bottom that is also occupied. Given a 10×10 array of boolean values that represents a Blob uniformly selected at random from the set of all possible Blobs that could occupy that array, write a program that will determine the Blob boundaries. Optimize first for finding the correct result, second for performing a minimum number of cell Boolean value reads, and third for the elegance and clarity of the solution.

Rock the Rockies – Lonely roadtrip across 13 Ntl. Parks 20 Jun 2017 10:46 PM (8 years ago)

Babka -> PO SLOVENSKY TU KLIKNI <- Mama

How to read this? If you’ve:

• VR headset: swipe through the 150 photospheres
• 30sec: go through the top 50 photos.
• 2min: read TLDR & conclusion; check top 50 photos, if any picks your interest read the surrounding text.
• 5min: read TLDR & conclusion; check top 300 photos, click through my driving timelapse video; read some text, ask me a question.
• 15min: do the 5min thing and use the spared 10mins for something more useful.
• 1h: you’re my grandma, read it all and fell asleep watching the timelapse video.

Disclaimer: My English is as good as an average USA high school student, I’m happy for any feedback!

Media

Driving timelapse (3h total): https://youtu.be/5AOufYiWsIQ
Top 50: https://goo.gl/photos/jXHJCWmKJWtyMPRYA (also in this post)
Photospheres: https://goo.gl/photos/kqZTM9V7Cbg7xi9RA
Video reports (I’m super amateur): https://goo.gl/photos/sk2vVyRJc42MPaBz8
Top 300 photos: https://goo.gl/photos/wmKJcqSqb9X62y239

Stats

Rough map: https://goo.gl/WzwYwQ
Distance: driven 5200miles. That’s 25% more than estimated (4078miles), cause of with extra detours due to visits.
With 30fps, and 1 shot per second, it took me over 90h of driving. That’s 58mph
Hiked ~210mi, elevation gain ~9km, terrain: forest, rocks, snow, sand.

List of parks:

• Great Basin, NV  (dayhike summit Wheeler Peak)
• Bryce Canyon, UT (just lunch)
• Great Staircase Escalante, UT (hike, technically a national monument)
• Capitol Reef, UT (dayhike Cassidy Arch, Frying pan loop)
• Arches, UT (few short hikes)
• Canyonlands, UT (few short hike, good backpack / ATV options)
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison, CO (dayhike, summit bottom)
• Great Sand Dunes, CO (skiing, backcountry hike Star Dune)
• Rocky Mountains, CO (backpack Northern Inlet)
• Grand Teton, WY (backpack Paintbrush pass)
• Yellowstone, WY (backpack Black Canyon + short hikes)
• Glacier, MT (backpack Stoney Indian + car views)
• Mt. Rainier, WA (dayhike John Muir Camp)
• Crater Lake, OR (cross-country ski with camping Sunset notch)
• Redwoods, CA (hike Boyscout tree).

TLDR;

<philosophical>
My main goal of the 26 day alone trip was to “disconnect from the loud modern world”. I believed this would help me clear my mind and so I can hear my true self.
Why I decided this is important to undertake? I’m struggling to express it with words, but was feeling I’m missing something in my current life, something I used to have before. These states which lasted days, when I’ve got completely submerged and forgot about the outside world, got passionate, entered a flow, had a purpose, however we call it nowadays.
</philosophical>
Rest of post is essentially an itinerary, review and some basic lessons learned. I’ve kept my inner thoughts to myself, as well some of the stories. So just surf around the post, or not, it’s mostly for inspiration and my memory.

May/21 – Day 0: Let’s plan this out, pack and go!

This took much longer than anticipated, originally wanted to leave on the same day.
In the end I’ve decided to just plan in roughly (CO,MT and back) and decide as I go and feel. Goal was to get alone in nature’s beautiful settings, that for me meant backpacking in national parks.

So I’ve started packing, checking weather (and snow conditions) and got prepared for blazing heat, freezing cold while hiking, skiing and backpacking. This all requirements lead to my biggest REI (outdoor equipment) bill in my life.
Yeah, ultimately it took me whole day to pack, shop, check car and empty my backlog.

May/22 – Day 1: Driving to Great Basin Ntl. Park (11h)

Woke up 5am, left 6:30am after final checks.
Lot of things went across my mind, which job to sign (I was still deciding at this point), why I’m travelling this, what can go wrong and so on. All of these thoughts got eventually evicted by random thoughts, daydreams and memories during the 11h to East of Nevada.

Detailed Day Itinerary:
First stop at Walmart, Sacramento to get some fruit, missing stuff.

Second(unplanned) stop was Pyramid lake – where most of Tahoe sinks and evaporates. On the lakes not that far peninsula, I’ve seen tons of birds so I’ve decided to run there (was short on time). My socks in my sandals suffer from all the sticky grass, but the reward was stalking 1000+ pelicans and smelling their poop. I’ve this quirk of enjoying white rocks at the ocean shore.

Anyway, now I was running pretty late so drove non-stop (but fuel, photos) on the “loneliest highway of the USA” – hgwy 50 while sweating in my Miata. Why sweathing? Because roof down at 75 mph+ is too loud and sunny. And putting up my black soft top with blazing Nevada sun would require all my cars AC which I didn’t want to risk – as would put lot of pressure on the engine especially during high passes.
My only conversation during the day was with the motel lady – I’ve said will come pretty late, she said they will charge me and leave the keys. It worked out!

May/23 – Day 2: Wheeler peak 13,094ft

I was staying at Baker, NV. It’s really in the middle of nowhere, closest city being 250miles (Vegas) and only one gas station around 70miles. It’s the gateway to the loneliest park – Great Basin. A prime spot for stargazing. But I like to do stuff, so instead decided on a 14 mile hike with ~4000 elevation gain would take.

Hike itself:

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/nevada/wheeler-peak-trail
The 1h warmup was a gentle road closed due to snow.

Then I’ve tried to follow the trail and failed. But that’s ok, as everything was covered in snow anyway. Before going sharply up, I’ve reached a lake with a stream and filtered some water. While enjoying the calm meadow, I’ve realized my big mistake. Looking from the parking lot, my theory was to climb the mountain on the exposed rocks instead of the snow – so I left my crampons, ice-axe and snow shoes in the car.

In practice, climbing the loose rock would be strenuous, so I’ve decided to walk up a big snow patch in a slab. Luckily wasn’t too steep, snow was melted and stiff just right to make safe steps. Still, I made sure I can stop from sliding down too excitingly either by braking or hitting a rock pitch. In conclusion, it was a mistake and should’ve brought my gear.

So I was steadily climbing up, 10,000ft, 11,000ft … and the elevation hit me at this point. It resulted in a considerable slowdown – was able to make maybe 20 steps after a 30sec+ pause. But I was committed, persisted and slowly, I’ve reached the ridge.

Half of ridge-to-peak was super ok, big rocks, even exposed trail. The other half, steeper hike just before the peak felt a little dangerous, as falling to the right would result into a 500m slide (maybe stoppable, but wouldn’t risk), while falling on left might be ok, but after ~20m, there was a big cliff.

In this moment your brain autoplays all similar experiences and what went wrong. For example when you were climbing Triglav and slipped, when your friend slid and died or the movie “80m below the peak”, where they decided to turn back after days of climbing just below the dreaded K2 (that was a good decision). Caring this in my mind and confirming that sticking to the big rocks is safe, I’ve decided it will be fine up. Had a snack, looked down, said “oh shit” and started climbing carefully down (Photosphere). Thanked God when reached the lower ridge.

After the surface evened out, it was a pretty fun down. I just slid the whole snowy slab in ~15 minutes (going up took me well over 2h).

As my time was fine, I’ve decided to take the adventurous route back, i.e. go straight back. While walking on snow, it was fast. Crossed the official trail and decided not to take it. But then I reached some nasty bushes and even if following trails of wildlife, I just couldn’t fit through the dense grow. So I had to back up a lot, go around, found some nice patches and then seeing the parking lot, I’ve thought: “How the hell will I get up?” Decided on a way I thought is doable, and halfway up I’ve reached an unofficial human trail.

Day details

Talked to a retired couple from the UK, driving across US again.

Talked to visitor center ranger, about wheeler peak conditions, shops around. Lessons learned: inquire about their life. Overall, the visitor center looked super-lonely.

Got a sticker from visitor center – decided to put one on my car for each enjoyed park. Talked with the lady about the conditions, loneliness and so. Asked her where is a restaurant – she said I should drive 10 miles that way, as Mon-Wed everything is closed in Baker.

Just on the border of Utah, there was a casino / bar / restaurant place. Got to talk to lady owner, how is life there (closest city 200miles+). You get used to it. She was from elsewhere and considered returning back.

Went to a bar, had two cokes and water. Overhead locals, two guys, one woman and the bartender. Discussed cows and bulls, types of pickups, driving to Vegas – I drive 75mph, and this Ram can go up the passes like nothing even with 5000 pounds on the trailer.

Took a long nap after my first hike and still hadn’t trouble falling asleep 10pm.
Planned next days.

May/24 – Day 3: Utah scenic byway 12 (Really nice surprise)

Bryce Canyon – I’ve already visited, but was only a 10 mile detour for a sticker and lunch with a Grand View (Photosphere).

Hiking Lower Calf Canyon and swimming in the waterfall – losing my sunglasses.

Ruining everybody’s photo.
Fail: booked a non-refundable motel farther away.
Colibri at the fancy restaurant.

May/25 – Day 4: Capitol Reef – Grand Wash + Cassidy Arch + Frying pan, UT

So originally I wanted a 2-3h hike which ended into a 5h well paced hike. But the views were stunning, seen my first (and biggest) arch and also managed to feel lonely on the Frying Pan (Photosphere).

These two guys with a baby and a camera. Travelling from North Carolina back home to Palo Alto – he does jet propulsion engines. Was behaving adventurous even with baby on back, he standed close to the hole of Cassidy Arch.
I’ve met more travellers like these, returning home with a car full of their stuff across the USA visiting nice places.
Stayed at Budget Inn, with this funny, a little weird looking, fell who baked cupcakes in the morning.

Way back I tried to hitch a ride couple of times, but wasn’t successful. First I was shy, then said “nobody really cares” and still judged / analyzed myself for nobody stopping for me (I had blood on my shirt though).

Funky mexican eating place – used to be a gas station. https://goo.gl/maps/5ZAVrybb9RA2

May/26 – Day 5: Arches and Canyonlands, UT

Pretty busy itinerary for today, two National parks and about 6h of driving.

Arches are one of the busiest ones AND it’s the Friday before Memorial day weekend. So getting up 6am, and driving there. Still, had troubles parking at the Delicate Arch trail – “the must see location of all national parks”. I thought it’s a hype, but found it indeed pretty unique. Just standing there, unnaturally.

Story with impressing a lady. So there are many arches in Arches, but found this huge one and wanted to get below it (Photosphere). It was a 6-7m climb up and looked pretty easy, but then I couldn’t really found a spot on the 100m wide wall. After trying everything, a lady from Colorado suggests why I don’t try this way, I start saying: “I’ve already…” but finish: “ok, let’s try. Do you climb?”. “I like to do what are you doing now”.
Yeah, somehow I got excited to talk to somebody and my early-20s genes kicked back again and suppressed the obvious related fact that my friend cannot run anymore because he was trying to impress a lady with his climbing skills.
Anyway, after getting midway, and looking down there was no way I was going to go down that way. So proceeded and hoped I can get down from the other side (it ended up true). Got under the arch, lady took her photo and after I’ve failed to convince her to get up from the other easier side she left.
Ok, so I’ve take my photos, relaxed a while. Then later I’ve realized that she was also a solo traveler, maybe we can share experiences! Walked fast paced to the parking, catch her in her car only and said “Did you get the photos?”. “Yep!” – and never seen her again, she was from CO.
Similar stories kept happening, and I’ve learned from them.

Met this old couple shouting: “We did it!”. In our next two encounters, I’ve raised my both hands shouting the same “You did it!”. Getting closer of being an american citizen.

Signed Robinhood at (truly) Grand view of Canyonlands (Photosphere). Finally decided after 2months of job hunt – compiling job search notes into a more valuable blog post, stay tuned.

Noticed there are a lot of markers for native Americans, how they lived, how they fought against Europeans and so on. As a small repercussion, USA allows natives to build casinos in their territory arguing that’s their historical fun game – and that gives them some income.

Took the scenic route next to Colorado River (I’ve encountered it again, just where it starts in the Rockis Ntl Park) and continued two more hours ascending to the 6000ft plateau to my campground.

At 9pm, I’ve almost set up my tent just in front of the campground chief, who super politely diverted me to the other end of the grass. Again, I was the only camper in the RV park.

May/27 – Day 6: Grand Canyon of the Gunnison, CO

It’s def the narrowest canyon I’ve seen, 600m deep and like 300m wide at Chasm view.

Hiking the steep Warner *route* in Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/warner-route

Passed everybody on the way down, arrived first and took a quick bath in what used to be a black sandy beach (Photosphere). FTR, canyon was formed by lava flow and then the river re-carved it.

Way back chatted with an older polish couple whose goal was to do all National parks, wow, what an undertaking! I’ve asked how many, 28? He proudly replied 59. At end of the back-ascent, I’ve just reached the backpacker guys which I bumped to on the way down. They asked how I’m so fast, that they are so tired. I simply replied: I’m visualizing my motivation – big steak on the top.

Stopped by couple of overlooks – on one we saw climbers going up – it takes a full day and they were so small!

Chatted with some Colorado girls, one of was supporting a swimming team of USA, wow.

Lady from Oregon – you’re pretty hardcore, she did 28miles on Monday.

Checked back at the visitor center that I’m alive, lost my swimming gear as I left it on my roof.

Drove 3-4h toward the Great Sand dunes. The overachiever polish couple said: It’s an unique park, nothing else like that in the USA. But just hike the big dune, there is nothing else there.

When reading the guide, they suggested snowboarding or skiing down – since I’ve brought my skis, I have to ski it.
In the camp, a little high Coloradian invited me to join their fire. Both girls were beautiful, guys super sporty, e.g. he skied for 140 days the year his father died. I’ve politely inquired about their life – they have a lot of fun outdoors stuff, but job is nothing special. He organises trips for wealthy people in Breckenridge.

May/28 – Day 7: Great Sand Dunes, CO

“Colorado – it’s like Switzerland with pickups to me”.
Realizing it’s the Memorial day weekend, I’ve left by 7am, to arrive by 9am and climb the big dune with my skies on the back.
I had a clear picture clipping into my ski boots and running down, and I know I will have sand everywhere till end of my trip, probably some accumulating in my room 3 weeks from now.
Anyway, I did it, and entertained other folks. Maybe should’ve waited till more crowd gathered.
A cigar smoking couple (first on top) proactively volunteered to take a video of it. It was fun! But I couldn’t really turn. I think I should’ve jumped a little.

On my second run the binding disassembled. Although I had a similar breakage before, I couldn’t repair it likely because of sand – need more tooling.
I wasn’t much tired so I dropped my stuff and walked to the “Star Dune”, without water. Afaik I was the only one doing it. After ½ mile I indeed felt super alone and it was one of the quietest moments of my trip.
On the way back I’ve got lost around the omnipresent sand and resulted into climbed extra. Optimal was staying in a long dune valley, around the grassy parts and climbing only to the High Dune.

Altogether, it was a fun experience and an unique view to the review of melting snow running through the sand dunes. Interestingly, the stream had these cycles of ~15seconds when a bigger flow pushed through. I believe it has to do with sand accumulation creating a short lived dam.

Four hours of driving to Winter Park.

Story of polish guy and his daughter skiing tomorrow.

Laundry.

Bar – “everything ok bud”, formula 1.

Hot tub.

May/29 – Day 8: Rocky Mountains, CO

Polish guy, visas, truckers and considering returning back after 28y to Zakopane.

Rockies visitor center, discussing potential backpack for a long time as the main ridge is closed until 1st of July.

Going up and camping just before sunset, a nearby tree loudly falls just when I drop my bag.

Met this day hiker with snow shoes who attempted the lake – but I didn’t see his footsteps.
Lot of fallen trees because of this fungi carried by a beetle.
First time camping alone, 8 miles from civilization in freezing cold.

May/30 – Day 9: Rocky Mountains – Nanita Lake, CO

Counted 143 fallen trees across the path (one-way).
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/colorado/lake-nanita-trail
First time using my new crampons and swearing a lot while putting them on – after I’ve figure it out, I actually liked them a lot.
Realizing I can have my gaters too with it.

Making the same mistake again, didn’t take my ice axe again (but I had my shovel, omg).

Nice views, quiet. Wanted to reach a peak, but rationally turned back.

Was thinking some shit way back, camped down in the meadows.

May/31 – Day 10: Driving to Grand Teton Ntl. park, WY

Again, long 8h drive through north Colorado and whole Wyoming.

Paying $50! for an electrified camp spot, OMG (all non-electrified were taken). But was short on time, was a nice view campground, but still.
Ruined somebody’s photos by throwing frogs with the not so suitable stones.
The view was indeed beautiful.

June/1 – Day 11: Grand Teton – Paintbrush pass: First time snow camping, WY

I remember packing pretty early and reaching the backcountry office just after they opened. It took about an hour to decide which trail, check with conditions, watch the similar video again, buy stickers and such. Then I’ve spent a lot of time finally on the Internet, started writing Nevada post cards, Utah post cards and shipping them later.
Repacking for snow took an hour.
Met this Oklahoma guy who asked me about my poles, what are good for. Knees, stability on snow and backpack, also for skiing. Then asked if I carry a bear spray. I said no, I know what to do, bears don’t want conflict. He: no conflict? Me: Yep, because they don’t have hospitals. He: Hahaha.

Hike to snow camp.

So started going up maybe 2-3pm.
Trail had little traffic, met a couple with kids and these three girls who turned back when reached end of the footsteps – that’s where I’ve got lost too by trying follow the summer path.
It take me much longer because I’ve tried to be smart by going up sooner rather than later, but mistook that ridge for another.
When realizing my mistake, exhausted on top of the side ridge, I just said: Shit. Because I would either return down 700ft and climb that stuff again (somehow snow climbing is super-tiring, only able to make 20 steps and then need to rest), or I would cross that super-steep forest. Decided for that. I had to throw my backpack down at one point and down climb. Made holes on my t-shirt from scrambling through the fallen lumber, rocks, bushes and streams. Survived, and tested my new Helium pants and they holded pretty good (I’m a satisfied customer, really good combination of breathable waterproof pants).

Anyway, that led to a new rule: with snow, stay at the lowest point, and climb up only when you must. You can do pretty steep shit anytime.
First time when loneliness striking me. Started to made up a conversation with Mr. Hat, he has a style and wears sunglasses.

June/2 – Day 12: Grand Teton – Paintbrush pass, WY

Hike (Photosphere):

This trail was recommended by the park rangers for the snowy conditions at end of May. (first I wanted a two night backpack of the Grand Teton loop).
And it was pretty amazing, did winter camping at Holy Lake, practiced with crampons and ice axe (safety) and learned that the best way up on snow is straight. At the divide, used the route to get up the unnamed mountain on the RHS – well worth it, glorious views including a front seat for viewing Grand Teton.

Going straight down Paintbrush divide – required braking with an ice axe for ~200ft elevation but quickened the slow snow route by a lot.
After that, pretty straightforward down. I also very liked a point in Cascade canyon where the river gets wide and you can have an island for yourself.
Was much more crowded in the Cascade canyon side, there was also a moose.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/paintbrush-divide-and-lake-solitude
Itinerary:
Day1: Jenny Lake trailhead 3pm. Winter camping at Holy Lake campground @8pm (permit required).
Day2: 7am starting, 10am reaching the divide (much slower going up in slow with a backpack), enjoying views, 12am going down and getting back about 3pm.

It’s doable in a day with snow, but would reserve at least 12h for it.
My first summit after Wheeler peak and it had truly amazing view and was pretty tiring.
Ice axe saved my ass – good investment of watching a instructor video at the visitor center.
Hiking down pretty fast paced, straight, cutting through snowy forest and shouting Ohoho! For bears.
Met first people only after the junction. Was reporting almost to all of them the conditions upstream, snow, mud, moose sighting. Best way was to led them go, it started the conversation instead of rushing through them. Took a quick bath in the lake with the old style swim suit. Ladies made comments, mens stayed grumpy.

Sent another bunch of postcards and uploaded the photos (fucking 32G phones).
Hiked .5 mile to my campground – screw that $50 fee campground, this was like $5. There was one other lonely guy so I’ve made myself known, but didn’t follow up with the conversation. Somehow, I’m always in a hurry.
Refreshing swim.

Rest of the day

“Backcountry camping” instead of “resort camping”, $5 + 0.5mile instead of $50
My old shoes got pretty wet from the snow trips, and also started to stink. So I’ve experimented how to overcome this issue without having much sun time for most effective drying. First I’ve tried heating up my shoes on the stove, as heat helps evaporation. But I was loosing a lot of heat. So I thought how to preserve it? Saw some rocks, put them on stove, put them into shoes and it worked pretty well (but on my second attempt I’ve got overconfident and overheated the stones, which burned the inside of the shoe).
Back home the most effective way was use fruit flavored vodka, put a shot in each boot, shake it and let it dry on the strong sun. Thanks Eliska!

Mr. cap
After 2w of alone time, only talking business to people I’ve started craving for company.
Just basics, sharing my life with somebody. Or just hugging somebody. So I’ve created Mr. Cap and Mr. Backpack (was reluctant to create female characters as I wanted to be just friends) and started loudly sharing my feelings about experiences, and answering their curious questions (like why are they called redwoods, if they are clearly grey?).

June/3 – Day 13: Yellowstone geysers, WY

That funny guy.
Dad joke: Seeing a geyser making you weiser (I’ve actually learned the pronounciation).

Backcountry office. When they heard I want to play alone in the park, they turned to be super-protective. Like there is a lot of bears here, if you going alone I strongly suggest a bear spray, there is snow here. So they diverted me into the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone.
I wanted a backcountry place to stay, as most of campsites were getting full or were still closed due to snow.
Yellowstone is a super-volcano, which erupted each 600k years – and it’s about time to erupt again.
Lot of tourists taking pictures.
I’ve liked the Prismatic Lake, with it’s rainbowish colors due to different bacteria colonies, the smell and how hot vapour first heat you up and then normal dry air cooled you down.

Oh, the tallest predictable geyser – the expected eruption span is 3h.
Carcasses on the way to the camp, a Colorado couple taking one antlers (horns) out.
First time I’ve seen rangers controlling permits. They showed themselves in position of control, but I had my paperwork. The only questioning was if I’ve a plan, how far is my campground, when is the sunset, map and all these basics.

June/4 – Day 14: Black Canyon of Yellowstone, WY

My adventurous self strongly prefers loops against out-and-back trails, it just must experience as much new stuff as possible. But looking at the Yellowstone map, there are only few of them, all closed or at least 70 miles. So my initial plan was going out of Yellowstone, to the neighboring national forest (fact: you can camp wherever you want there) and return on a unmaintained logging route. But I wasn’t able to find that trail, so decided to just cut it back on the ridge and explore realer wilderness. First, I’ve ascended ~100m just to realize I’m running out of time for this, but saw the other mountain looks good to get up onto the ridge. So climbed down and went up again. I was pretty tired going steeply up (already 18miles in my legs). It took me long, so had to course-correct to a side-ridge and then re-joining the original path for the last 4 miles. Loose rock, bushes, grass, forest made it slow, but the omnipresent mosquitoes and well-designed deer paths kept me on speed.
I was sick and tired of canyons at this point, and indeed all the previous canyons I’ve liked more than this one.
The most unique was wildlife, lot of carcasses, seen a bison, coyote, elk.
Half of bison. Really, half.

Was impressed by the effectivity of the deer paths. Every time I’ve sidetracked thinking this way is shorter / easier / better, I was proved to be mistaken and returned to the deer path. Even they found a really good stream crossing (but the overwhelming amount of mosquitos).
Great colors after a brief rain, the play of sunlight.

Strange elk voice.
Strange voices during the evening – camping on a grassland often visited by wildlife – showed by number of poo.
Overtaken couple of groups, everybody was pretty happy but the father son duet.
Unique bright blue lake next to the muddy river.
Thunderstorms and my safety concerns.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/montana/black-canyon-of-the-yellowstone-trail
I’ve did most of the trail and decided to return with a deer path just below the ridge for pretty good mountain views.
The canyon itself is not that spectacular (e.g. Black Canyon of the Gunnison, CO is much better),
but this trail features a wildlife (bison, elk, coyote, .. ) and especially carcasses (tons of antlers, a half-eaten bison).
Overall, the trail felt stretched – not that many nice places compared to its length.

The upside it’s in the lower part of the canyon, so in early June, when south is covered with snow, East is occupied by bears with cubs, this is the safest option for backpacking. For day hike, I would recommend Mt. Washburn.

June/5 – Day 15: Rest of Yellowstone, WY

Morning routine: Shoe up, empty tent, dry tent, start cooking, pack sleeping stuff, resume cooking, pack everything else, pack tent, plan the day, eat, drink, get drinkable water.
5 miles up to the parking lot.
I was super-tired after yesterdays ~30mile with ~1km elevation gain so slept like 10h.
At the parking lot, had to repack everything to fit into the car – I mostly wanted to dry and de-stink stuff, experience taught me it’s just much better to stash it into the car and repack at the sleeping place.
My plan was just to drive around Yellowstone and then take a two day wellness in Bozeman, Montana. Hot springs and stuff.
Talked to guys from yesterday, they actually went a similar route. Somehow girls were much more talkative and welcoming to my alone group. Guys were pretty reserved.
Consulted my favorite book: “Your Guide To National Parks”, it’s pretty good and covers a lot of backpacking too while providing the basic information, park history, what’s special for, usual crowd and most importantly “Don’t Miss”, “Hike”, “Backpack” points in the park. I must say, all of them were great.
Was driving through this pass, beautiful weather and the views were even better than my hard-earned lonely view of yesterday. So had to hike up. Mountains are calling and I can’t resist.
https://goo.gl/maps/3BwVyeE7fmJ2

“Best mountain view in Yellowstone, you see the lake, canyon and all of surrounding mountains, even the Grand Teton. I *loved* the mix of colors, white snow, green grass (from melting snow), yellow canyon, blue sky, different blue lake and the volcano rock adding some black. And the vastness. It was like compressed Alaska, wow.
I’ve spent the previous day backpacking in Black Canyon of Yellowstone, and even if I hiked up the ridge, those great views were dwarfed by Mt Washburn.
And they even have a visitor center describing what you see, it’s history and most importantly, it provides a shelter from the strong winds.
This Belgian couple I’ve met four times – they were following me.
This super-hot spouse claiming she cannot go down 200ft, claiming she is out of shape. I’ve pointed out that grandmas do it and her husband chuckled. That we met again, clearly they didn’t do it and I said: “I’m truly disappointed”.
The path itself I’ve disliked and sweared upon, it’s designed for cars and gains elevation just so slow. On the way back, I’ve cut it down through the snow (essentially skied down, both main switchback and the first big one). So it was like 2h up, and 0:40 down. “
Binoculars were handy, seen some special owl and last roaming bison herd. Strangely, there were a couple of lonely bisons maybe mile or two away from the herd. Contemplating if these are bachelors getting ready to climb the social leader, or they are scouts protecting babies (most frequent target) from potential predator attack.

Bubbling mud volcano, like farting in bathtub.
And steam pipes – like earth factory sulphur emissions.
And I loved all the river bends,
TODO: canoe down some big ass american river.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone – cute painted version of The Grand Canyon in Arizona. Yellowstone falls.

Mammoth Hot Springs https://goo.gl/maps/r2iTi4i4wPL2
TODO: Why terraces are formed instead of “solid rock” as in caves?

If life offers you free food, you say yes.

June 6 – Day 16: Chill day at Bozeman, MT

Oil change. https://goo.gl/maps/tLSqxvRzdc92
Eat a ton, sleep even more.
Do laundry.
Museum of the Rockies: https://goo.gl/maps/7eJz31qG9h32

Hot tub & Sauna
Real MountainView lodge https://goo.gl/maps/djKuBcU3S1F2
Spent a lot of time writing down notes

June 7 – Day 17: Driving to Glacier Ntl. Park, MT

In the next 6 hours of driving, the biggest town had 3,000 ppl in it.

Definitely more happy green grass fed cows than number of humans in Montana. Lot of empty vastness, grasslands. Seen some military vehicles which reminded me how much money is spent on Defense in the USA.
After 4h, the mountains started to show up in the distance. Some canyons preceded them.
Went through 1h of backcountry planning in the visitor center. The weather prediction was afternoon thunderstorms with possible hails and all the passes were closed due to snow (most of ppl were super-sad that Going-To-The-Sun road is closed – it’s one of the most beautiful “american hikes”). Therefore I’ve just chosen a big good looking valley and did a two night basecamp backpack.
Had to watch yet another video about the backcountry. I’m sick of “bear safety” taking up like ½ of it.
Spent time online, writing postcards, writing more notes.
Learning about Glacier, the 1B old rock clashing with sea sediments (~1/3 of USA was a seabed 10s of millions a year ago).
Backpacking to base camp 6miles from trailhead.
Essentially getting into the valley with nice sunset. The peaks are sharp, sprinkled with snow.

Talked to a Kansas – Upper New York State couple.
He said: “people say Kansas City is in middle of nowhere, but I say I’m from middle of nowhere, where the closest neighbor is 4miles from you, and everybody knows everybody”.
What to do there? Lot of wheat, and some lakes.
Upper NY is Kodak (doing poorly competing with smartphone cameras) and Niagara falls.
Shared some backpacking experience.
Went to sleep early, as I wanted to wake up before sunrise to finish back before the predicted thunderstorm.

June/8 – Day 18: OMG views in Glacier Ntl. Park, MT

In expectancy of afternoon thunderstorms, knowing that weather is much better in the morning and already investing so much effort to get here (drive 6h, backpack 6miles, vacation), managed to leave by 5am with breakfast and reached Atsina Lake by 8am.

The ford looked dangerous and RHS had a nice ascent through dried out stream, so decided for that. Got excited so continued all the way up to South Stoney Indian Peak (8750ft).

The view was AMAZING. OMG, the 4000ft wall drop with lake views and other the sharp continental divide. I’ve climbed a lot of mountains, and this was top-notch.

I also felt a little scared. Alone with not that much mountaineering experience. Also the thunderstorm coming. So decided to run down.
Then I saw a bear right on the route I’ve planned to take, so made a big detour with safe visibility. Instead of taking the switchbacks, I’ve cut it down with using ice axe as a stable point.
From that side, I’ve cleared seen what I was doing hours ago – the mountain looked pretty steep from this side. If had seen it from this view, I might haven’t attempted the climb. But as I saw only next 300ft elevation gain, I’ve kept going in expectancy that the peak is close by. Sometimes is better to be half-blind and careful than overthink the whole picture.
Got
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/montana/mokowanis-river-stoney-indian-pass
Stoney Indian Peaks South climb: https://goo.gl/maps/JgDb2V9M4HU2 (Photosphere)

The way back was auto-pilot-ed and I’ve also forgot about the thunderstorm as it had no precursor but a cloudy sky.
Met this photographer, he wanted to get a shot of Mt. Cleveland (highest peak in the park, next to the mountain I’ve climbed), but he wasn’t able to make it with all the heavy gear. To some satisfaction, he got a shot of a mum bear with three cubs (that’s a lot, usually they have 1-2).

Then the storm knocked on the valley, with dark sky. Shortly after wind got up, signaling a change in weather. So I’ve hastened up, take a quick bath in the river, cooked dinner while counting seconds from flashes to rumbles (10sec). At this point trees start to bend and squeak, saw a scared deer walking into our campground forest – that provided significant cover from the wind, and even kept a few spots dry in the morning. Thanks trees!
Just when I’ve zipped the tent, the downpour started.
Recalled my first ever backpack in Velka Fatra, Slovakia. It was a summer week-long trip with my math teacher Anino and we got to similar situation, but on ridge with a forest. No tree fell that night, so although I was a little scared, I’ve felt pretty much safe. After calming down, I’ve exhausted fell asleep at about 8pm.

June/9 – Day 19: Low key day, going around Glacier, MT

Backpacked up the last 6 miles to the trailhead in the muddy post-thunderstorm conditions. Kept overtaking with a couple and whoever was leading, kept shouting for bears. That was encouraged after we saw clear grizzly steps in the mud.
Again, started re-packing everything, tried to get if most of the mud.

There was a fun group of travellers, just graduated students bought an old bus and were wandered around, they even had a generator. Anyway, their first goal was fun.
Rest of day was spent driving around Glacier into multiple valleys, some of them were rainy, some of the sunny and the other (West) side very calm. I say East Glacier was nicer (is that related to moisture coming from west?

June/10 – Day 20: Long drive to west-Washington

I’m done with this trip. Let’s go home. This has no reason. I’m so tired.
Just busy going somewhere, intaking nature’s beauty and spending money for self-advertisement.
I’m so alone. Nobody to talk to, share moments, have fun with. Just me, car, road and the next national park (and Mr. Backpack).
So tired.
And still didn’t finish my ultimate goal of this trip: self reflection.
Since is the last week of my vacation, it’s time to take it slower. The 25 mile, 4000ft backcountry mountaineering trip to ridge of Stony Indians was prob the hardest and least responsible thing I’ve done. At least Petr would be proud.
Ok, now that I showered I feel pretty energetic again. Need to do more, get also stickers from North Cascades and Olympic.
But screw that, both are like +5h and I’ve already visited them with Sergey and Jakub, so just for the sticker it’s too much. Let’s stick with Rainier, Portland, Crater Lake and Redwoods, take it more chill.
Stayed at Yakima River RV Park. Shared life stories with the owner.

June/11 – Day 21: Mt. Rainier, WA

Again, the weather forecast looks *un*favorable, so woke up 5am, to get to Paradise at Mt. Rainier by 9:30am (took the scenic route through Yakima River Canyon) and hgwy 410.

Started hiking the Skyline trail, was sad with myself that some people already returned before I’ve started – so slow Peter. Anyway, ended up going all the way to Muir camp https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/camp-muir-route-via-skyline-trail
.

Anyway, was in such a rush at the parking lot from the worsening weather, that it didn’t occur to me to take my skis with skins. I facepalmed so many times during the 5h hike. Shiit, what a wonderful ride all those guys had! And like Peter, you took your skis to sand, but you leave them in the car for snow? Ok, they were still broken from the sand, so that’s an excuse – but should’ve repaired them by now. Mind note: next time bring a toolkit.
Though Muir Camp is pretty close to Mt. Rainier summit, but actually it’s still 5h+ with glacier crossing and a little of rock climbing after Disappointment point.
People say you should start 10pm if you want to do the summit in a day from Paradise. So rather they start like 1-2am from MuirCcamp. Asked rangers about permits, and said they never fill up the quota. So next time I just need a group and a spare weekend.

Views were gorgeous and even that my body was super-tired after these intense 3 weeks, something flamed up in me and kept whispering to my ears: Mt. Shasta is calling, if you would get only ½ of these views with clear skies, is would be almost heaven. You can do it. Do it. Mt. Shasta. It kept going back, as rationally it was no (detour, alone, last day, tired, parting in SF on the summit day).
Shasta, Shasta. It kept repeating as the “Foxie” song after seeing a fox at Pyramid Lake, NV.
https://open.spotify.com/track/6EQiJymHib5Klwe5KUfIcF
Rest of the day spent stopping by Narada Falls and some views.
Met first hungarian travelers, living in Seattle. They asked “Ez a Mt. Rainier?” and I’ve replied “Igen de nem is, a felhoktol nem latni”.
Stayed at Portland for two nights – it was time to start recovering.
First night just fall asleep.

June/12 – Day 22: Mt. Hood & Portland, OR

The mountains are calling and I must go – John Muir (and some caveman before).
Woke up and got this drive to use all my skiing gear, in the resort of Mt. Hood (volcano) where the season ends only 8/31 (yes, August).
I was hesitant going, as the National Weather forecast looked cloudy and windy for Mt. Hood, then I’ve checked mountain-forecast.com and it said sunny and windy. Although USA poured $1B into weather.gov, I’ve trusted the mountain specialist and gambled the 1.5h drive through rain and clouds.

The decision was rewarded by a half-sunny weather at parking lot. So I went inside Timberline Lodge, repaired my skiing with complimentary screwdriver, bought a day pass for $68 and run to the slopes (at 8am). It was indeed super windy and I wasn’t really prepared for that (For future Peter: always put the warmest clothing in your car, it has the space).

Anyway, had a remarkable glimpse of Mt. Hood and the lodge. Skied a little, first warming up at blue and then went up to black – where I learned why they are still open on a June Monday. The USA, Canada and Austrian youth ski teams are preparing here (they had much better warm, rain&wind-proff gear as overpants and such).
So watched them doing short slaloms, and just try to catch their techniques. Even stalked these 6y old children who were skiing as good as I was walking. Tried their drills (poles in hands and keep them perpendicular to the slope, no poles, fastest possible left-right-left-right and so on). It reminded me of our high school ski lessons.
Had a second breakfast to warm up and did two more rides.
Financially, it wasn’t worth it, but a pretty unique experience.
Relaxed most of afternoon at the motel.
Explored Portland in the evening. No comment.
Lot of breweries, hipster places (seen multiple times: “Keep Portland Weird”). I really liked that the name was “coined” by a coin toss between the founders, who both wanted to name the new establishment by their hometown.
They were a lot of natural beauties in the city.

June/13 – Day 23: Getting to Crater Lake, OR

Long drive again. From all the 13 national parks, this had my lowest expectations and I’ve decided for its remoteness being kinda on the way, i.e. when again I will be “around”?
The lake itself is beautifully blue, but not much hiking options around. Best activity to do here is cross-country skiing as the snow lasts long into summer, and the loop road around the lake makes a perfect path.
So decided to try cross-country skiing with my all-terrain skis.
I sweared a lot, as I first was super slow, especially on the small uphills with frozen snow without skins, OMG, I had to have scared away all the bears.
Camped at Sun Notch overlook. Fell in love with Mt. Thielsen, even more after realizing there is an official trail up! https://goo.gl/maps/ujxb4WVrJCD2
Night was pretty cold.

June/14 – Day 24: Enjoying Crater Lake and transmission problems, OR

Woke up normal, but slept like 10h+. I had to go up the ridge, used my skins. After it got too steep, went only with boots (they actually work pretty good, you can hammer in steps).

So many volcanoes! Seen Mt. Shasta, Mt. Scott, Mt. McLoughlin, Mt. Bachelor and Three sisters and all these volcano remnants as Mt. Thielsen or Diamond Peak, easily distinguished by their snow cap (Photosphere).
Skied down on icy slope.
Cross-country skied back to the car, almost 3x faster and was getting into the technique too! Can be a lot of fun. All this resulted in the most sever tights sore I had in years.
Packed everything, started car, get nice picture with the sticker, ate my lunch, talked to a Virginia family travelling the whole West Coast and then drove out.
After everything was done with Crater Lake, started to driving towards California. But on the first stop sign, suddenly, my stick-shift stops working. Luckily it’s all downhill from there, so I get to the visitor center without needing the engine nor my transmission. Try to shift there, but sadly it doesn’t work. Trying to inquire about towing services (no internet, closest city 100km). Luckily, there is a super-helpful post office lady Lisa with all these phone books. She calls a “nearby” tow service and they quote me to $650 (I’ve no insurance, no AAA, .. I say the cheapest insurance is to have cash stashed away). That sounded like bullshit to me, as I’ve towed for $550 from Fresno to Bay Area (260km).
So after briefly consulting with the super-helpful lady Lisa, decided to give it a try to get to Medford, it’s mostly downhill anyway.
At the parking lot, I’ve used the force which was strong with me, and put it into first gear, get some rounds around, felt good enough. Most worries come from weird sounds when I’ve engaged the clutch, but the super-helpful lady told me I can try speed-shifting, i.e. without using the transmission, just to get to similar rpm (I do that unconsciously anyway).
Ok, was going slowly down on 3rd gear. I like the 3rd gear, as I can start my car from 0 (benefits of a strong engine) and can go up to 40mph without feeling regrets out of high rpm (remind me the story of an american in europe, who tried driving on the freeway with stick shift being in first gear – thinking that’s automatic transmission).
Later on I’ve encountered the magical road bump at a construction site, went through it and since then shifting was pretty reliable – just getting a little bit of weird sounds. So I’ve put in the highest gear and drove to the highest rated car repair shop in Medford (https://goo.gl/maps/krJJT4ZE4fR2 ). Before inquiring at the shop, I’ve tried going 0-20 for 20 times, and worked flawlessly for 19/20 times. Still asked them to take a look. He said I should come back 8am and that the story sounds pretty unique.
After contemplating if I should just drive more and risk it, I decided to stay and inspect it. There was enough breakage in my cars from my carelessness.

June/15 – Day 25: Redwoods, CA

They didn’t find anything after verifying the clutch is ok, the fluids are ok, so if there is an problem, it must be in the transmission. Yeah, it has 100k miles on it, was used by multiple owners and it’s a sports car. Transmission change is ~$3k, so will postphone it for now.  I’ve changed the clutch along with the broken engine, so that one should be indeed fine.
Anyway, last national park on the list, the tallest trees in the world, the Redwoods.
California welcomed me with rain.
Realized that a true benefit of a convertible is a scenic route in a big forest, because you can see the top of the surrounding giants!

Hiked the Boy Scout Tree trail, felt like rainforest, tree was pretty goddam tall.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/boyscott-tree-trail

Somehow felt pretty tired, so instead of camping stayed in a motel in Eureka.
Oh, and did a little experiment, going into a hawaiian restaurant with my fresh hawaiian shirt. Got the attention of the friendly owner, after he said aloha, I’ve unzipped my coat to proudly reveal my aloha shirt while saying aloha. It ended up by him giving me a pen which says: “Stolen from the Hawaiian restaurant”.

June/16 – Day 26: Hwy 1 and finally home, CA

Even before the trip, I was imagining driving the scenic oceanic hwy 1 from Washington all the way down. This plan had changed with going for Ntl. parks, especially Crater Lake.
Anyway, woke up 4:30am and started driving 4:45am, almost completely alone. The first 1:15h was only freeway, to warm up the car. Then the fun part began! Made rules to stay alive on my last day. Beaten Google maps by 46mins on a 3h segment, while waiting for one-way traffic and losing 5mins behind a big truck.

Rest of days enjoying nice vistas, swearing to super-slow drivers (especially around the Point Reyes area, once I had to stop and calm myself down). It started feeling homey, like a long dream ending. Was awaken by the Golden Gate bridge, and the worst traffic in my 5000 miles, in the Bay area around 11am, Friday (so not even worst BA traffic).

Got home, kissed the ground as a symbol of thanks for staying alive, and took a nap.

Conclusions

<philosophical>
TLDR; It changed me. I’ve started to simplify my life, focusing more on current task, turning down the omnipresent noise, saying “no” instead of “yes”. And also resumed working on my character, instead of the image of it (images like this lengthy blogpost full of pretty media content).
So what was the value of this trip? (price was 28days of my life, and lot of money spent (37.41% hotels, 21.74% food, 12.02% gas, 28.84% other for those curious)).

• It indeed cleared my mind, but for that, I could’ve just gone to middle of nowhere.
• I’ve Seen beauty of nature and that’s worth preserving it. But that we already know.
• Worked out my body, especially my legs – but that I can do in a gym, or even home.
• Biggest added value could be the brief interactions with pseudorandom people and dealing with novel unforeseen situations, which both surfaced my behavior. That happens a lot in everyday life, but adding loneliness into, provides lot of uninterrupted time to analyze this behavior and tune my character.

</philosophical>

I tend to like intense travels, to do (not just see) as many novel things as possible. In conclusion, I believe I did plenty exploration, but still a lot of the travel time was spent on maintenance – build tent, pack tent, re-pack backpack for a different activity, make dinner (total ~2h/day). Also considerable time was spent on en route planning, maybe 1-2h/day. And writing this, with filter photos, ~1h/day.

Trošku preplávanie rokom 2016 15 Jan 2017 12:49 AM (8 years ago)

Upozornenie! Nasleduje osem strán narcizmu. Očakávam len, že si prečítate začiatok, koniec a pozriete fotky (rozšítený výber 150 fotiek).

Úvod

Petržlen (alter ego): Pipkoš Peťo, najvyšší čas na ten blog o 2016, však zachvíľu môžeš rovno plánovať 2018.
Peťo: Ja viem, ale o čom by som mal písať? Však to bol taký chaotický rok bez cieľa, ktorým sme nejak preplávali.
Petržlen: Však stačí začať a potom to už pôjde. O hocičom, napr. jak nás prišla navštíviť rodina, alebo ten fajný týždenný puťák. Okoreníme to zopár fotkami a celý náš fanklub bude vískať. Možno dostaneme aj pohľadnicu
Peťo: Však o tom píšeme furt, a už to počujú od všadiaľ: “cestujte, darujte zážitky, spoznávajte nových ľudí, rozširujte svoje obzory.”.
Petržlen: Ok, ale obaja súhlasíme, že treba také obdobie zažiť. Napr. to vedie k vzájomnej tolerancií vo svete, podporuje to infláciu a zvyšuje to naše vnútorné šťastie. Navyše máme výborné príbehy. Však čo budeme rozprávať našim vnúčatám a na čo budeme baliť baby? Jak sa Ti raz prisnil vzrušujúci matematický dôkaz, alebo si z hlavy rozložil 949463 na prvočísla? V tvojich snoch možno, ale v skutočnosti, no veľa šťastia.
Peťo: Ok, to je fér. Stotožniteľné príbehy sú dôležité, ale o tom som už písal dosť. Ale ja chcem dať našim čitateľom nové posolstvo. Problém je: Aké?
Petržlen: Hm, pravda. Tvoj život bol celkom priamočiary. Na strednej si sa snažil stať najlepším v tom, čo Ťa bavilo. Na vysokej si zistil, že aby to malo osoh pre spoločnosť, potrebuješ spolupracovať s ľuďmi. Tak si sa z hanblivého autistického chalana, čo napr. v obchode radšej 10min hľadal sódu bikarbónu, ako keby sa spýtal predavačky, stal človekom čo napr. organizuje sociálny život ostatným. A naposledy si zistil, že Slovensko je pre tvoj rast príliš malé, tak si si vychytal muchy zahraničného života na Erasme a teraz žiješ v technologickom pupku sveta a robíš na jednom z najväčších systémoch sveta.
Peťo: Ok, takže odkazom minulosti je: “Furt dačo robiť pre svoj rast, posúvať sa mimo zónu komfortu a baviť sa pri tom.”?
Petržlen: To znie to ako klišé. Navyše, tento rok si sa mimo svoju zónu komfortu moc neposunul.
Peťo: Ale je to lepšie ako nič!
Petržlen: Toto okienko začína byť zdĺhavé, predtým ako prejdeme na vyrozprávanie minuloročných príbehov, posledná otázka: “Odkaz budúcnosti a novoročné predsavzatia?”.
Peťo: Hm, stagnujeme, hlavne profesne. Chce to novú výzvu. Stať sa expertom v dajakej oblasti čo ma baví, a využiť to.
Petržlen: Ale v akej?
Peťo: Začnime Machine Learning, však nás to bavilo pred troma rokmi, a v Google-i sú perfektné možnosti. Navyše som počul, že je to ešte stále v plienkach.
Petržlen: Ok, niekde treba začať, zvedavý ako to dopadne. A držím palce, nech je o čom písať o rok

Január 2016

Frisbee turnaj Lei-out

Čo to do počtu ihrísk (cez 100) a počtu hráčov (okolo 4500) najväčší frisbee turnaj na svete, na asi najlepších plážach západného pobrežia USA, v Santa Monica. Aj v Januári je to cez deň na tričko (miestny majú bundy), a čo je lepšie ako na skok osviežiť do oceánu.

Hral som za skúsenejší tým, niečo ako Outsiterz klasik. Dostal som sa k nim cez Patricka, ktorý hral za našu Slovenskú repre MorHo a mal na sebe slovenský dres. Tak som sa ho spýtal odkiaľ ho má a zavolal ma na chatu aj na turnaj. Fajný chlapík.

Február 2016

Lyžovanie Whistler, Canada

Džejn nám zorganizovala parádnu lyžovačku na asi najlepších zjazdovkách v Severnej Amerike (konali sa tu Olympijské hry 2008). Fakt paráda. Najlepší bol ľadovec, na ktorý sme sa dostali ako jedny z prvých po tom čo večer nasnežilo. Celá obrovská biela dolina plná prašanu pred nami. Paráda.
Zhodou okolností tu žije Tina, spolubunkujúca z VŠ. Tak nám ukázala nočný život, jak polovica obyvateľstva Whistleru sú “ski-bombs” (vrátane Tiny), ktorý makajú cez víkendy keď sú tu turisti, a potom celý týždeň len lyžujú a cez leto chodia po horách. Značnou časťou osadenstva sú návštevníci z Austrálie, ktorý si to tu naozaj užívajú.

Superbowl

Vo vedľajšej dedine sa konalo finále Veľkej-misy, tj. Superbowl. Ide o najväčšiu športovú udalosť roka v USA, kde najlacnejší lístok do poslednej rady stál 2500 dolárov, a kde vás pol minúty reklamy výjde na tri piešťanské CTčka, tj. 5 miliónov dolčov. Ľudia prenajímali miesto na stan v záhradách za lacných 300 dolárov na víkend, domy šli za 5000. Je to iný svet.
My sme si boli pozrieť fanúšikovskú dedinu a ohňostroj v SF a na zápas do krčmy.

Marec 2016

Lyžovanie Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe

Z jedného olympijského svahu na druhý, bola tu olympiáda v roku 1960. Prvý deň lyžovačky dážď vyčistil svah od inak všadeprítomných lyžiarov. Cez noc nám fajne nasnežilo pol metra snehu, tak to nedeľu bola zase paráda, hlavne ako postupne otvárali nové panenské svahy.
Paráda, akurát tých 8 hodín cesty späť (bez premávky 3 aj pol).

Grand Canyon+Death Valley

Rasťo nás bol pozrieť, tak s Ferom zorganizovali výlet. Prileteli sme do Las Vegas a rovno išli spať k okraju Grand Canyonu do veľmi pohodlného domčeka. Ráno o 5h ráno sme s čelovkami v zimných bundách (stred púšte) vyrazili na dno kaňonu. Išlo sa dobre dolu kopcom, postupne sa aj otepľovalo a prechádzali sme z čoraz výraznejšími tabuľami: “Neskúšajte ísť na dno a hore za jeden deň”, pipkoš, to je presne to čo robíme. “Ľudia tu zomreli, majte dosť vody”. Ta máme, asi sa to vzťahuje na ľudí čo idú v lete.

Na dne kaňonu bola ozaj plážová atmosféra a akurát teplúčko na kúpanie. Vyvalíme sa pláž, však polovicu už máme za sebou. Je čas ísť naspäť. Pýtam sa: “Fero, to odiaľ zhora sme prišli?” a on “Veru.”, a ja “No pipkoš”. Tak sme to vyšlapali a za 12h tam a späť mali za sebou 1400 metrov prevýšenia a parádne výhľady. Na večeru steak chutil obzvlášť dobre.

V Údolí Smrti akurát po dekáde pršalo, tak to všade rozkvitlo a všetci sa museli prísť pozrieť. Okolo najnižšieho bodu USA sú aj fajné duny, golfové ihrysko a dobre tu fúka. Skúšali sme si hádzať frisbee a raz som ho v plnom šprinte naháňal asi 250 metrov. No sranda to bola.

Čo sme robili vo Vegas, zostane vo Vegas (jedli sme palacinky).

Narodeniny

Môj život dovŕšil štvrťstoročie, tak som zavolal kamarátov na guláš z diviny a, už tradičné, palacinky. Dostal som štvrťáky, polovicu fifty centa aj “royale de cheese” (quarterpounder).

Apríl 2016

V Google-i ma povýšili na ďalší level, takže sú so mnou asi spokojný.

Nightwish a Sonata Arctica

Hudobné koncerty zvyčajne nemusím, ale keď už prídu metalové skupiny ktoré počúvam počas drevorubačského kódovania do vedľajšieho mesta, tak som zašiel. Tony spravil show, Nightwish boli fajn, ale novú speváčku až tak nemusím.

Narodeninové prekvapenie

Minulý september som mamu prekvapil na jej 50ku. Samozrejme ma pozvala, ale vyhovoril som sa, že mám málo dovolenky. Tak som na tajnáča doletel rovno na párty, a všetci boli v šoku. Hahaha. Pomohol som im zjesť fajné rezne a mamu som dobre vytancoval

Mama si povedala, že odmena je sladká. Pod zámienkou povinného obedu s babkou ma zavolala domov, že si mám zložiť kufor v izbe na poschodí. Tak otvorím dvere a už len počujem celú rodinu spievať “Boldog szulinappot, Veľa šťastia zdravia… “ no fajne. Taký blok v hlave som už dlho nemal, stratil som slová a podvedome som zvolil stratégiu “úsmev a mávame”.

Nasledujúce chvíle som sa ozaj cítil ako kráľ, ako mi rodina postupne nosila jeden lahodný dar za druhým. Babičkyna torta z medových rezov (ktoré robí len na Vianoce a urobila výnimku), rezne od mamy, Lici-néni vynikajúcu štrudľu, hurky od strýka, druhá torta od strynej, jahodové gombóce z druhého kolena, zákusky od bratranca, domáci med od strýka, obložený tanier plný mastných zemiakových palaciniek so slaninkou (to je moja slabosť) od krstnej. Doteraz neviem ako som sa zmestil do lietadla naspäť – isto kuli pikle aby som zostal na Slovensku.

Až po čase som začal analyzovať situáciu, a kde sú autá? Však dvor je čistý. No zaparkovali sme pred kulturákom a prešli sme sa. A všetky kabáty a topánky? Zložili sme ich v spálni. Pikle pikle kuli, a najväčšie prekvapenie mi ukuli.

Máj 2016

SOS – Konferencia na zámku Hostačov pri Prahe

Kamaráti slováci rozprávajú o tom, čo robia. Od výskumníkov, cez inžinierov a startupistov po filantropiu. Veľmi inšpiratívne.
Inak, krásne to tam majú a ako bonus discgolfové ihrysko.

Švajčiarsko

Zasa raz mi Google zaplatil výlet do Európy. Do Zurichškého kanclu od minulého roka pribudla celá kopa známych tvári. Napr. už len keď som hľadal voľnú mužskú toaletu, tak som sa zakecal s troma ľuďmi.

Jeden z dní vo Švajčiarsku sme sa otcom boli prejsť po horách okolo Wallensee. Pekne bolo, páči sa mi kombinácia modrej, bielej a zelenej.

Dezolátna divočina, Lake Tahoe

Marek prišiel na výlet, tak sme s ním išli stanovať do divočiny. V divočine sme boli sami, lebo ľuďom z Kalifornie sa počas leta do zimy moc nechcelo. Výhľady boli parádne, pozrite si fotosféru. Ponaučenia boli: červený sneh má baktérie, brodenie rieky je cestou späť počas odmäku dvakrát hlbšie, v nevychodenom snehu je ťažké sledovať cestu, hlavne v noci. Ah, a hlavne treba ísť.

Jún 2016

Svadba Donna a Michal

Gratulujeme mladému páru! Obrad bol krásny a slovenská zábava na západnom pobreží jak sa patrí. Časť miestnej populácie doteraz považuje tancovanie Labutieho jazera s nafukovacou ľabuťou za Slovenskú tradíciu.

Frisbee korporátna liga

Počas neskorej jary sme zápasili v behaní za plastovým tanierom s lokálnymi spoločnostiami ako Facebook (run fast, break marks) alebo Apple (Stack’n’toss (Macintosh)). Finále ligy vyvrcholilo Google Y vs. Google Z, po napínavých semifinále s dvoma Apple tímami.

Júl 2016

Akčný druhý polrok otvorila Aljaška, ktorá má samostatný blog http://www.csip.sk/2016/07/22/aljaska-2016/
Ok, aspoň jeden obrázok.

Stážista Tomáš

Bolo mi smutno za minuloročnou bandou stážistov (pozrite si ich blog), tak som si nabral svojho. Zadal som všetky moje kritéria do nášho LinkedIn-u, a vyšli mi dva výsledky. Jedným z nich bol Tomáš.
Mať stážistu sa oplatí. Donesú do vášho tímu novú perspektívu, nemajú problém pýtať sa “zjavné” otázky, ktoré vlastne také zjavné nie sú a vedú k “aha, to by sme vedeli zrobiť lepšie!” alebo k “hm, toto vlastne nedáva zmysel”.
Tri mesiace sú krátka doba na naučenie sa systému, preto hlavnou vlastnosťou projektu je izolovanosť. Príklady projektov sú: výskumná/experimentálna prácu, vytvorenie nástroja, zrýchlenie týchto 1000 riadkov kódu, ….

August 2016

Raftovanie

Stážista Tomáš moje leto isto okorenil, boli sme spolu na viacerých výletoch. Napr. nás zobral raftovať na “najťažšiu komerčne splavnú rieku v Kaliforní”. Bolo to teda vzrušujúce a aj dobrá makačka.
Napriek tomu, že sme mali skúseného šoféra, tak sme boli z toho natoľko vyhúkaný, že nemáme fotky. Ale vyzeralo to nejak takto (vody bolo rovnako lebo prietok je regulovaný vodnou elektrárňou):

Cherry Creek Whitewater Rafting from All-Outdoors Whitewater Rafting on Vimeo.

Letná frisbee liga v rámci Google-u

Áno, v Google je viac hráčov frisbee ako na celom Slovenku a postavili sme 12 tímov po asi 12 ľuďoch. Super spôsob ako spoznať kolegov mimo svoj tím, odporúčam mať hobby v rámci firmy aj mimo ňu na rozšírenie vzťahov. Však načo byť v zahraničí, keď poznáte len Slovákov a zopár kolegov?

Tahoe offsite

Tradičný každoročný firemný výlet k jazeru Tahoe organizovaný už od založenia Google-u. Akurát už je nás už kopa, tak chodí len jedno oddelenie naraz. Hotel je ale rád, keďže ho celý rezervujeme na dva týždne.
Po dvoch dňoch zábavy na firmu, kúpania, zápasenia a tancovania, sme zostali na aktívny predĺžený víkend zložený z horskej cyklistiky (parádna trasa), výstupu na najvyššiu horu okolia (Mt. Tallac) a kajakovanie.

September 2016

Mini roadtrip

Bol som dajak smutný a mal som chuť na marhuľový koláč. Tak som napiekol a vyrazil na cestu. Celý prvý deň som šoféroval s predstavou, že v 5:00 ráno vstanem pri oceáne a vyrazím po prázdnej ceste dole na juh. A tak sa stalo, kým sa všetci zobudili, tak som dával Google Maps o 30 percent.

Týždňové putovanie miestnymi Alpami

Úryvok: Svižne kráčame vyhladovaný už štvrtou hodinou v kuse, a keď tu zrazu v kroví, veľký rezeň čo sa hýbe, a.k.a. medveď! Tak sme ihneď zastali, medveď sa po nás rozbehol, my sme len zostali nemo stáť. Len bluffoval, zastavil po pár krokoch, uff. Tak sme začali ustupovať a kričať a búchať palicami. Po minútach sme sa pomaly vydali vopred a kričali: “Ideme maco, zostaň tam maco, vďaka maco!”.
Viac sa dočítače na krátkom príspevku venovanému tomuto výletu.

Rodina na návšteve

Mame som na narodeniny daroval all-inclusive pobyt v Kalifornií, tak prišli spolu s cestovateľom a prekladateľom Tomášom a kamarátom Milanom. Musím povedať, že si to riadne užili. Aj keď sa im do USA nechcelo chodiť, po pobyte sa lúčili vetou: “Peťo, zostaň tu, priprav sa a my v máji prídeme za tebou. To to tu bolo niečo úžasné, a Tí ľudia sú takí milí!”

Výlet sme začali v údolí Napa, kde majú výbornú medicínu na jetlag. Pondelok som ich zobral do Google-u na raňajky a poslal do SF. V utorok vyrazili na tradičný okruh, pozreli si sekvoje, Yosemity, Death Valley a Grand Canyon helikoptérou. Piatok som za nimi doletel do Vegas, kde sme večer šli … . … ráno sme vyrazili na pláže v LA, kde sme sa riadne osviežili. Nedeľu do filmových štúdií, najlepšia bola jazda v zámku Harryho Pottera. Áno, v USA stavajú hrady do dnes. V pondelok sme si boli oddýchnúť na pláž a poobede si odjazdili cestu č. 1 po pobreží naspäť. Posledné dni už len nákupy. Posledný večer som ešte mamu zobral na koníkové predstavenie Odysseo.

Október 2016

2. Výročie v Google-i.

V Google-i sme vyrástli zo soplošov na inžinierov, tak sme sa navečerali so zostavou čo držíme spolu od začiatku. Zhodli sme sa, že druhý rok bol podstatne rýchlejší lebo sme všetci zaneprázdnený.

Googleween

Počas pracovnej doby stíhame aj oslavovať, tak sme sa tematicky vyobliekali v téme počítačových hier. Môj kostým krabice Crasha Bandicoota (maxihra) mi trval 4h, z toho polhodinu som nastavoval tlačiareň aby som mal veľké pixeli na tých 36tich A4. Ako som pri konštrukcií riešil jeden problém za druhým, hlavne držiak na pivo, tak som zabudol jak to vlastne prenesiem a skoro sa mi kostým nezmestil von z dverí ani do auta.

November 2016

Európa

Zhodou okolností sme išli s manažérom do Zurichu práve vtedy, keď mal Fero svadbu na Smolenickom hrade. To bola najlepšia zábava roka, výborne zorganizované, obrad, večera, fotky, tance, živá kapela a vynikajúce lokše. Fakt parádne.

TODO fotka od Fera.

V nedeľu som postretával rodinu a kamarátov, pondelok let do Zurichu, kde som požičal auto a šiel do Ulmu za otcom (tiež tam tečie Dunaj ako v Jahodnej). Vyšlapali sme si 750 schodov na najvyššiu katedrálu sveta, Ulm Munster.

Cestou do Švajčiarska som sa zastavil v Londýne pozrieť slovákov startupistov v Blue Vision Labs, akurát boli pokope lebo oslavovali narodeniny.

Divadlá

Rozbehla sa divadelná sezóna a boli sme na “Hedwig and Angry inch”, energetický rokový muzikál, “Barbier de Seville” tradičná opera zahraná ako komédia, “Don Pasquale” Ruffiniho opera o starom paroháčovi, “Diesneyho Lion King”, ktoré malo parádne kostýmy, “Simon Boccanegra” Verdiho opera o starostovi Janova, “Koncert Ludovico Einaudi“, slávny skladateľ s modernými prvkami, páči sa mi ako jeho kompozície gradujú a zrazu ustanú, “Vianočný koncert” ktorý ohúril veľkosťou zboru a chlapčenským spevom a nakoniec “Silvestrovský koncert”, ktorý bol dobrý, ale krátky (1h).

Moriak Yosemite

Pre američanov najväčší sviatok, ktorý tradične oslavujú celodenným pečením a jedením moriaka. Z práce sme mali dva dni voľna, ktoré sme minulé roky strávili vo Vegas a v Mexiku. Tento rok sme išli len do Yosemitov, zašlapali si, pozreli sekvoje a pochutili na vynikajúcom moriakovi, ktorý nasýtil až 15 ľudí. Bral som to ako posledný oddych pred populárnym predvianočným maratónom (ktorý som konečne dospal).

December 2016

Skialpovanie

S prvým snehom nás kamarát Petr učil základy skialpovania. Páčilo sa mi, že je to taká turistika v tichosti so skvelými výhľadmi, pričom dole sa to len zlyžuje po prašane.
Prvý deň sme si požičali návleky na lyže, lopaty, teleskopické tyče a vysielačky. Nasledovalo neoficiálne školenie, kde nám Petr zakopal batoh s vysielačkou a mali sme ho za úlohu vykopať do 15minút, reálne čas, kým človek pod lavínou môže dýchať.
Zaujímavé bolo, že vysielačky majú magnetické pole a navigujú podľa siločiar, takže ak ukazujú rovno, tak cieľ môže byť aj vľavo, pred vami aj vpravo.

Samé oslavy

Sezónu osláv otvoril firemný večierok v múzeu, kde boli atrakcie bez čakania, neubúdajúce sushi a cocktaily, ktoré sme na konci vytancovali. Ďalší deň narodeniny stážistu Tomáša, a kamarátky a nedeľu narodeniny ďalšej kamarátky. Lúčili sme sa s Karolom, ktorý sa vracia do Zurichu. Štvrtok párty Representu v Prahe, sobotu kopa nových tvárí na kapustnici Trojstenu, oslava narodenín spolubývajúceho Bubiho. Nedeľu frisbee kapustnica Outsiterz, stretávka zo strednej. Tradičná saunka, tentoraz s kúpaním v draždiaku. Stredu stretávka konferencie SOS (sme boli v máji), a štvrtok Leaf akcia kde sa snažia prilákať šikovných ľudí späť na Slovensko, páči sa mi ich reklama: “Ak si doma v politike, tak ju rob doma”.

Všade dobre, doma najlepšie

Bol to rušný polrok a som rád, že som svoju koncoročnú dovolenku strávil v pokojnom kruhu rodiny a blízkych priateľov na Slovensku. Pohostili ma wellnessom jak sa patrí: mamine jaternice, neubúdajúce rezne, guláše, slepačie polievky a koláče od babičky. Celé okorenené spomienkamo na staré dobré časy, spoločenské hry s bratom a bowling s otcom. Akurát som musel pracovať a počas wellnessu som pribral 4kg, ktoré treba pretaviť do svalov lebo plavková sezóna sa blíži.

Súhrn

Bol to ďalší rušný rok plný zážitkov a bavil som sa naozaj dobre. Ale chýbal mi v ňom cieľ. Áno, zlepšil som sa v medziľudských vzťahoch a spoznal svet, ale už sú to roky, čo som sa venoval svojmu kariérnemu rastu. A aj keď som sa snažil posledný kvartál po večeroch učiť, mal som málo energie, keďže sa furt dačo dialo.

Tento rok chcem zamerať na pracovné dovednosti, a to znamená škrtanie napr. v osobnom živote a počte zážitkov. A teda ísť do hĺbky, namiesto do šírky.

High Sierras a Mt. Whitney, týždňové putovanie 14 Jan 2017 10:56 PM (8 years ago)

Trasa
a kopa fotiek.

Poď Peťo, bude to paráda. Pipkoš, ale je to 5 dní z mojich 15 dní dovolenky. Hm, no dobre, chcem ísť už rok a teraz mi to aj zorganizujete.

Môj prvý puťák v Kalifornií, s plánovanými 90 míľami (144km) a aspoň 6km výškovými za 7 dní + prídavky. Tak som sa nabalil riadne podľa zoznamu Helči a Standy, pričom stan mi bral neúnavný Petr.

V piatok noci vyrážame a naše prípravy ukončujeme riadnou večerou v našej kantíne. Cestou v aute dokončujeme posledné veci do práce pred týždňovou dovolenkou. Sobotu ráno nasadíme svižný krok do útrob hôr. Po pol hodine nás ešte svižnejším krokom predbieha dedo, ktorý si bol na parkovisku nakúpiť potraviny. Pravdepodobne ide 215 míľovú JMT, s jeho tempom tak za týždeň, alebo celú tunajšiu cestu SNP, 2659 míľovú PCT. Hej dávajú to za leto, tempom aspoň 50km za deň. Každopádne, túto príhody nám každodenne pripomína neúnavný Petr, nech pridáme do kroku, však nás predbieha aj dáky dedo.

Prvý deň je kratší oproti plánu, lebo v priesmyku sa blýska. Tak sme si dali prídavok na Sphinx, jak Tomášovský výhľad ale 8x vyšší – pozrite si fotosféru.

Druhý deň nám prekvapivo prší hodiny v kuse. Oprotidúci nám dávajú typ, že cez priesmyky treba chodiť doobeda, predtým ako sa začne blýskať.
Tretí deň je Petrovi nuda, tak vstáva v 5 ráno (chodíme spať 9 v noci, lebo je tma) a dá sa krátky výbeh na Whaleback class 3. Na raňajky v 8 nás budí. Počasie vyzerá celý deň dobre a ja v priesmyku zapichávam zástavu mojej rodnej dediny.

Štvrtý deň vstávame ráno so srnkami. Šlapeme celý deň a dostávame sa do základného tábora Mt. Whitney. S Petrom ideme ešte hodinu k jazeru sa okúpať (pozrite si fotosféru), pravda dlho sme sa nesprchovali.

Piaty deň je pracovný stereotyp z minulého týždňa nahradený šľapacím stereotypom. Vstať, naobliekať sa, uvariť raňajky, spratať sa, hádzať frisbee kým čakáme na spachtošov, šlapať 4h, obed, šlapať 4h, večera, opraviť čo treba, čítať 2h lebo je zima (mínus 5) a tma. Abstraktné problémy, ako chybný algoritmus v produkcií, sú nahradené za oveľa hmateteľnejšie problémy, ako napríklad volanie prírody nasledované stresujúcim hľadaním miesta a lopatkovaním permanentného úložiska zo dumpnutia stomach overflowu. Proste OoM.

Na obed pokoríme najvyššiu horu kontinentálnej USA (nie Hawai a nie Aljaška), Mt. Whitney 4421 m.n.m (pozrite si fotosféru). Petr mi rozpráva ako išli hore po tomto zráze. Wow. Doprajeme si víťazného piva ktoré nosím už päť dní. Dosť sa mi z neho zatočila hlava, to isto.

Šiesty deň sa začneme približovať k autu po JMT, odkiaľ sú teda parádne výhľady. Aj premávka na tejto diaľnici rastie, zdravíme sa, občas sa aj zakecáme o podmienkach. Stanujeme vo výške 3600 metrov, najvyššie v mojom živote a aj nám je kosa.

Siedmy deň skoro ráno vstávame, a chceme dať raňajky v slnečnom priesmyku lebo v našej doline je tieň a kosa. Raňajky sa vydarili, prechádzame sa po okolí a menujeme hory. Rozhodneme sa ísť s Petrom na Center Peak, čo by bola moja prvá class 3 hora. (Class 3 znamená veľké schody mimo trasy.) Ja som do vzdal pred jednou ľahkou stenou, lebo som plakal z tej výšky pod nami. Každopádne, šťastlivo sme sa vrátili a vyrážame dobiehať náš predvoj. Petr nasadil tempo 4míle (6.4km/h) za hodinu, ktoré sme držali štyri hodiny. Šlapanie bolo viac než automatické a brušisko sa tešilo na posledné papníčko. Bol som ako osol, ktorému zavesia pred nos mrkvu, akurát som si predstavoval rezne, veľa rezňov.

A zrazu, veľký rezeň čo sa hýbe, a.k.a. medveď. Tak sme zastali, on sa po nás rozbehol, my sme zostali stáť. On zastavil, len blaffoval. Tak sme začali ustupovať a kričať a búchať palicami. Po minútach sme sa pomaly vidali vopred a kričali: “Ideme maco, zostaň tam maco, vďaka maco!”.

Posledný deň už len dokráčame, ale tak aby som stihol o piatej rodinu na letisku v San Franciscu. Zaslúžene sa vykúpeme v potoku, predjedlo v supermarkete a hlavné jedlo v mexickej reštaurácií s ozaj veľkými porciami. Cítil som sa ako znovuzrodený.

Aljaška 2016 21 Jul 2016 9:27 PM (9 years ago)

Pre tých, čo máte len 2min času, výber 100 fotiek.

Aj keď neviem presne prečo, od malička som sem chcel zavítať na Aljašku. Hm, v hlave sa mi vynára obraz z preletu údoliami Aljašky z filmu “The Edge” s Antonym Hopkinsom (prípadne si pozrite Into the Wild). Každopádne, nech už bol podnet akýkoľvek, kúpil som letenky už vo februári, a odvtedy som sa tešil na dobrodružstvá v rozsiahlych divočinách Aljašky. Mal som od nej vysoké očakávania, a skutočnosť bola ešte lepšia. Zásluhu na tom malo počasie a moji súdobrodruhovia Lukáš, Roman, Martin a Sergej.

Zhrnutie

Celý výlet mal 10 nocí a bol rozdelený na dve časti. V prvej sme šli s kolegom Sergejom na Kenai (ako malé Nórsko). V druhej časti sme so súdobrodruhami spravili okruh veľkosti Slovenska cez krajinu ako obrovské Vysoké Tatry počas Malej doby ľadovej. V tomto príspevku sa zameriam na prvú časť, lebo Lukáš parádne popísal časť druhú.

Filozofické okienko

Aké to bolo? Členka horskej služby nám povedala, že kto do Aljašskej divočiny vstúpy, už sa nevráti rovnaký. A je to tak.
Človek v divočine je sa nútený sústrediť na samotné prežitie, kričať “Ououou!” v lesoch a krovinách na odplašenie divej zvery, brodiť stovky metrov ľadovou vodu, skúšať rôzne cesty, filtrovať vodu, plašiť komáre, hľadať miesto na spanie, jesť na prídel a proste sústrediť sa na každý krok, lebo najbližšia cesta je 20km (a nemocnica cez 100km). Zabudnete na zanedbateľné každodenné strasti ako zápcha na diaľnici, problémy v práci, či ako vám Pikachu zas ušiel.

V tom tichu, ako neprítomnosti zvukových vĺn tak aj žiadnych informácií zo sveta, konečne počujete skutočného samého seba. Pri pohľade na nekončiace hory sa vidíte ako zanedbateľná súčasť obrovského a krásneho sveta. Po takto strávených hodinách a dňoch som dokázal oddeliť obraz od skutočnosti zo svojho každodenného života vo svete, kde výzor je dôležitejší ako charakter, resp. slovami klasika: “je dôležitejšie vyzerať cool ako byť cool”.

To je to, čo som si z Aljašky odniesol.

Mapa prvej časti

Google maps.

Mapa druhej časti

Google maps.

Deň po dni

Je to asi 20-30min čítania.

2016-06-30 (Štvrtok)

Let o 16:00 cez Seattle malo krásne výhľady na sopky.  Bohužiaľ na let zo Seattle-u do Anchorage ma presadili mimo okna, a tak som namiesto fotenia pracoval cez wifi.

Prílet 21:00 (posun 1h) do Anchorage, požiačime so Sergejom auto, ubytujeme sa v AirBnB u Lauri, ktorá nám odporúči skvelé lokálne podniky. Aj keď najväčšie mesto Aljašky pôsobí navonok ponuro, ľudia sú nadmieru priateľskí a uvoľnení. Domácich od turistov sa dá odlíšiť tým, že domáci nosia šlapky, kým turisti normálne topánky.

2016-07-01 (Piatok)

Presuváme sa 200km do prístavného mesta Seward. Počasie je síce oblačné, ale neprší, a tak sme so Sergejom vyliezli 1000m na výhľad prílivovej vlny v miestnom fjorde.

Cestou autom fotíme rozsiahle údolia, ľadovcovo modré mliečne jazerá a miestne unikáty. Zastavili sme po skvelého sušeného údeného lososa u deda, ktorý nám poradil kde si cestou nabrúsiť nože na mlynskom kameni.
Foto udolia: (vyzerá ako Veľké Škotsko)

Samotný Seward má oficiálne 2500 obyvateľov, je 9tym najväčším rybárskym prístavom v USA. Kuriozitou je každoročný beh do kopca +900m za 41min (hore aj dole) . Mesto pôsobí oveľa živšie ako Anchorage, aj ľudia vyzerajú športovejšie.
Ubytujeme sa, jedno pivko, chutná rybacia večera a spať, lebo treba ráno vstávať.

2016-07-02 (Sobota)

Najlepší deň.

Budíme sa 6:00, schrúmame sendviče a ideme sa registrovať na celodenný výlet na kajakoch. Najprv podpíšeme, že sme zodpovedný za vlastné životy a potom dostaneme záchranné vesty. Výlet sa začína 3h výhliadkovou plavbou k ľadovcu Aialik (červená) pri ktorom budeme kajakovať 4h (oranžová).

Plavba fjordami je krásna, vidíme z blízka ľadovce, útesy, veľryby, tulene, rozkošných papuchalkov (čechizmus) a morské vydry, ktoré majú viac chlpov ako 1000 psov. Celé v krásne slnečnom počasí s krajinou v 50tich odtieňoch zelenej, modrej a bielej. PARÁDA.

Mne a Sergejovi pridelili sprievodcu Sida z Maine-u, ktorý nám ochotne rozpráva o živote miestnych zvierat. Vysvetľuje, že celý reťazec začína samotným ľadovcom, ktorý posúva živiny do oceánu, ktoré živia planktón, ktorý živý bylinožravé ryby, ktoré živia medvede, tulene a vtáky. Kvôli planktónu pri póloch našej zemegule migrujú veľryby a vtáky tisíce kilometrov. Podotýka, že bez ľadovcov sa môže tento kolobeh zastaviť :/

Z diaľky na konci fjordu vidíme samotný ľadovec Aialik a hovorím Sid-ovi, že jaký je malý. Haha, počkaj keď k nemu prídeme (má 2km na šírku). aialik_distance.jpg A má pravdu, vyľoďujeme sa 5km od neho a už vyzerá obrovsky.

Čas na vlastnoručný pohon. Sid mi vysvetlí jak sa kormidluje v morskom kajaku, ktorý má dva pedále na nohy. Takisto nám vysvetlí, jak sa dostať von keď sa prevrátime, že máme zatiahnúť za Vandu. Ok, všetko vieme, vyrážame!

Pádlujeme popri ostrove na ktorom tróni orol bielohlavý a vydáva čudný zvuk. Sid hovorí, že vo filmoch mu menia hlas nech znie viac mužsky. Bližšie pri ľadovci si pochutnáme na malej ľadovej kryhe a pozdravíme tulene v diaľke. Po hodine pádlovania sa zastavíme 400m od ľadovca Ailik. Prečo nejdeme bližšie? Sid hovorí, že pred troma rokmi sa z neho ulomil veľký kus ktorý vyprodukoval 5 metrovú vlnu. Ok, stačí tu.

Obedujeme v kajakoch a počúvame jak ľadovec doslovne hrmí až vybuchuje, lebo sa posúva o polmetra za deň počas leta. Je to masívny kus ľadu, odhadujem na 1000 násobok pyramídy v Gize, a to je len jazyk horského ľadovca Harding. A ajhľa! Kus ľadu veľkosti menšieho domu sa práve odlomil. Maličká ľoďka bližšie pri ľadovci má isto zábavu.

Sid hovorí, že sme nadpriemerne rýchly. Úplne mu neverím, ale keď neskôr machruje pred kolegyňou, tak mu uverím. Každopádne, naspäť sme išli okolo ostrova na ktorom končil ľadovec počas Malej doby ľadovej spred 300 rokov. Prečo na ňom nie sú stromy? Lebo sa nestihla vytvoriť zem od kedy ľadovec ustúpil hovorí Sid. Cestou zájdeme do viacerých zátok a dokonca zacúvame do jedného tunela. Sme radi, že Sid bol našim sprievodcom.

Kým čakáme na ľoď späť do Sewardu, tak si zaplávame v osviežujúcej vode a celé dobrodružstvo zakončíme chladenou ohnivou vodou. Na ceste späť prevažne spím. Občas začujem jak sa rozprávajú o “crazy Slovak and Russian” a usmejem sa, že šírime brand “crazy”

Na koniec nám veľryba zamáva chvostom a dorazíme do Sewardu, kde si dáme na večeru čerstvého lososa (na obrázku je 70kg Halibut).
To bol teda deň!

2016-07-03 (Nedeľa)

Na pláne máme kúpanie v scénickom jazere a vyzdvihnutie súdobrodruhov večer z letiska. Na raňajky si dáme lososí sendvič a vidáme sa na +500m stúpaniu k jazerám Fuller (to údolie naozaj vyzerá ako Škótsko). Zhodnotíme, že plávanie nestojí za to, komáre nás štípu a sme mokrí z rosy a tak sa vraciame.

Pri aute vyberiem knižného sprievodcu a vyberáme vyššie položené jazero Carter https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/alaska/carter-lake-trail . Po bleskových 500m výškových za 45min je nám dosť teplo aby sme sa v ľadovej vode pri ústi potoka okúpali hneď dvakrát.

Skúsime skratku cez kopec, ale zabalíme to lebo predieranie sa je pripomalé a nevieme, čo je na druhej strane. Tak aspoň máme peknú fotku a viac chuti do jedla.

Večer vyzdvihneme súdobrodruhov Lukáša, Romana a Martina, nakúpime a dávame nočnému Anchorage druhú šancu. Do mesta nás berie poľský taxikár, ktorý sem prišiel chytať ryby pred 26 rokmi. O jedenástej síce Slnko nezapadlo, ale je otvorených už len zopár miest Každopádne, pohostinstvo nadmieru milé a pivo chutilo dobre.

2016-07-04 (Deň nezávislosti)

Ráno sa rozlúčime so Sergejom, ideme na veľký nákup a vylezieme na “Lenivý kopec” +1000m. Neviem, kto vybral názov tohto kopca ale bolo to strmé stúpanie až do konca. Na vrchole nás čaká americká vlajka a už tradične parádny výhľad na okolité údolia, rieky a hory.

Cestou do Glennallenu sa zastavujeme na fotopauzy ľadovcov, tundry a krásnych hôr v pozadí. Prvýkrát pozorujeme rozsiahlosť krajiny a rôznorodosť lokálneho počasia, keď na jednej strane údolia prší a na druhom konci svieti Slnko. To vytvára skvelé fotokompozície, ako napr. vysvietenú Mount Audubon? v diaľke asi 50km.

V kempe si uvaríme fajný guláš a ideme spať ešte za dňa (ako inak).

2016-07-05 (Člnkovanie 1)

Ráno sa zobúdzame s výhľadom na Mt. Drum zakrývajúci sopky Wrangell a Sanford.

Po prázdnej Richardson highway sa presúvame k jazerám Tangle (motavé, ou), na ktorých plánujeme dvojdňové člnkovanie. Milá teta nám vysvetlí samoobslužný systém, že vesty sú v šope, pádla vedľa, kanojky pri vode a že si máme dávať pozor na psa T-bona a vodopády na konci tretieho jazera.

Počasie máme síce prehánkové, ale stíhame vyschnúť počas slnečných pasáži. Scenéria je tradične pekná, zájdeme do zopár zátok, pozorujeme bobrie príbytky, orlov, zopár rýb a nula ľudí. Medzi jazerami splavujeme rýchlejšiu vodu a rozmýšľame, jak to zajtra vypádlujeme. Však prinajhoršom vytiahneme popri brehu.

Po viachodinovom pádlovaní dorazíme na tretie jazero a hľadáme miesto na táborenie. Počas prvého vylodenia si len obzrieme krajinu a počas druhého nájdeme vhodné miesto, kde už niekto pred nami táboril. Je kopa komárov, aj pršať začalo, tak sme po večeri zaliezli pod stan hrať kocky.

2016-07-06 (Člnkovanie 2)

Tuniačik na raňajky a hor sa do pádlovania! Počasie máme rovnaké ako včera, miestami prehánky. Dostávame sa k prvej rýchlejšej vode, pádlujeme čo to dá, ale napriek tomu stojíme na mieste. Tak teda vyskočíme z lode ťaháme proti prúdu, najprv bosí a potom sa rozhodnem obetovať moje staré tenisky (TODO: neoprémové ponožky). Dokopy sme ťahali asi hodinu, každému z nás to prišlo oveľa, ale oveľa dlhšie smerom na hor.

Dorazíme na poludnie za Slnka, a tak sušíme veci a prebaľujeme. V miestnom hostinci dnes nevaria, tak sa vyberáme na prašnú Denali highway, ktorá nás bude sprevádzať nasledujúcich 230km. Cestou máme tradične krásne výhľady, hlavne na údolie Maclaren kde plánujeme jesť.

Zastavíme sa aj v Alpine Creek Lodge na kávu zadarmo a chatár nás priateľsky pozve na bar s výhľadom na územie veľkosti Podunajskej nížiny. Chlapci nám rozprávajú miestne príhody, jak pred mesiacom jeden poľovník na medvede so synom išiel po medveďovi rovno do jeho brlohu. Starý poľovník minul srdce o pár centrimentrov a medveď sa rozhodol opetovať paľbu. Medveď sa po ňom rozbehol a urobil dedovi novú fasádu. Skúsený syn ho čoskoro zložil a starý potom vtipkoval, že je to asi koniec jeho modelingovej kariéry.

Chatár ďalej nadšene rozpráva, že na zimu uloví losa a stačí im to všetkým na celú zimu. Že on už medvede nežere, lebo ich mal dosť na raňajky počas detstva. Spomenie aj zimu, že tu žijú prakticky sami, na území veľkosti Slovenska. Občas zavítajú skialpinisti a tréningy psích záprahov.
Nakoniec nám odporúčia nárdoný park Katnai, kde sprievodcovia chodia popri lososov loviacich morských medveďoch, ktoré kvôli výživnej diéte dosahujú cez tri metre a sú väčšie ako medvede vnútrozemské.

Prichádzame do nášho ubytovania v Gracious Lodge, kde sme jediný hostia. Chatárka nás pohostí teplým čajom a zavolá nás na bar, ktorý je otvorený len kvôli nám. Celý bar je oblepený ozajstnými bankovkami s menami návštevníkov, miestna tradícia (našli sme zopár českých aj eur). Barmanom je bývalí letec, čo lietal po Aljaške celý život a tvrdí, že nikdy nehavarol. Aj nám detailne vysvetlil svoju stratégiu pristávania (viem vysvetliť). Ukázal nám fotky ako skolil 3.3m medveďa.

2016-07-07 (Denali transit)

Teta chatárka nám navarí trošku božiu praženicu s hamburgerom a vidávame sa na cestu o siedmej ráno. Cestou pozorujeme Mount McDenalay, predtým Mount McKinley, po novom Denali, a.k.a. “Ten vysoký”. Je to prakticky jeden obrovský šuter (odborne plutón), ktorý vznikol v podzemí vulkanickou činnosť a potom ho náraz Pacifickej a Aljašskej dosky vyvrhol nahor.

O deviatej dorazíme do Národného parku Denali, veľkosti 40% Slovenska. Vyberáme si zo 43 oblastí jednu, kde budeme prespávať. Nasleduje hodinové školenie ako sa máme správať v divočine, čo s medveďmi (tváriť sa veľký a hlučný), čo s losmi (utekať zig-zag), čo s riekami (chodiť držiac sa za sebou) a podobne.

Nasleduje moje šoférske voľno v podobe päť hodinovej cesty autobusom po prašane. Máme tradične pekné výhľady a konečne stretávame aj medveďov. Jedna medvedica vrtí zadkom pred autobusom a šofér je nútený ísť do predbiehacieho manévru. Miestnou superstár sú Dall Sheep, čítaj “kamzík, ale ako biela ovca”, ktoré vidíme len z diaľky. TODO: kúpiť si ďalekohľad.

O piatej dorazíme do nášho kempu “Úžasné jazerá” s výhľadom “Na toho vysokého”, ktorý sa bohužiaľ hanblivo skrýva v oblakoch. Zalejeme gurmánsky wifon v podobe hovädzieho stroganova a ideme na prednášku o výstupoch na Denali. Že akurát je hore v základnom kempe asi 100 ľudí, z ktorých to dá na vrchol asi 50, a asi 20 bude mať aj výhľad. Čas v základnom tábore trávia napríklad volejballom na ľadovci.

2016-07-08 (Zóna 6 – Teklanika River)

Ranným busom o 6:30 sa presúvame k našej zóne 6, ktorá je jednym veľkým údolím (viď mapku). Teta autobusárka nás ochotne vysadí v priesmyku a tým si ušetríme stúpanie a kilometre. Dokonca začíname na vyšlapanej ceste a tak sa šlape dobre. Počas brodenia malého potoka si všimneme stojace autobusy. No fajne, určite si fotia medveďa a štyroch nič netušiacich turistov. Tak začneme v poraste kričať “Ouou”, “Wee-yo” a podobne. Aj po viacerých hodinách nás to nadmieru baví.

Počas výhľadu na údolie plánujeme našu trasu a veríme, že sa dostaneme až po zdialený ľadovec na konci údolia. Hm, každý dáva svoje návrhy a dohodneme sa na konsenze: však to šiknime takto dole a popri rieke na pravo sa pojde fajne. Počas polovice zostupu sa nám na pravej strane rieky vynára obrovský močiar a tak popod bobriu hrádzu prechádzame cez potok a rovno k veľkej rieke, ktorú do polovice prebrodíme (asi 40m brodenia).

Keďže je pomerne málo vody, tak sa nám ide mimoriadne dobre po naplaveninách v strede rieky. Na konci riečneho ostrova prebrodíme aj druhú polovicu rieky a po 4-5h od začiatku šlapania, zhadzujeme batohy a staviame základný tábor. Na konci údolia vidíme väčšiu prehánku, ale ešte stíhame schrúmať prídeľ mäsa a syra. Akurát dojeme ako dážď príde a tak si spokojne zdriemneme.

Po polhodine vyrážame k ľadovcu vyzerajúc na dosah ruky. Bohužiaľ, po 15min odíde prvá topánka, a tak sa vraciame do tábora opraviť. Po hodine dojdeme k ústiu menšej rieky do väčšej, rozhodneme sa vrátiť, dáme si čokoládu, pofotíme a ideme naspäť. Zaspíme už o deviatej.

2016-07-09 (Dlhý deň)

Lukáš mi v polospánku hovorí, že poď na kopec. Pozriem čas, 4h ráno. Hm, skúsim ešte podriemať, ale nejde, tak polodriemajúc ideme. Zobudí ma až ranné brodenie ľadovcovou riekou nasledovaných stúpaním 750m výškových. Terén je fajne mäkký od machu a driapanie po sutinách je minimálne. Na vedľajšom hrebeni využívame zvieraciu cestu a snažíme sa stúpať mimo žlté kvetinky ktoré rastú pomedzi sutiny.

Výhľad je bombový, pofotíme, dám si jednu margotku a ideme dole. To ide ešte lepšie, lebo väčšinu hĺbky sme zišli po sutinách, ktoré tlmia dopady skoro jak sneh.

Po prebrodení naspäť rovno dáme variť vodu na sušenú praženicu so slaninkou a samozrejme zajedáme cibuľou. Zbalíme, naplánujeme naše šlapanie k ceste, ktorá je vzdialená asi 15km vzdušnou čiarou s jedným brodením. Vymysleli sme to oveľa lepšie jak včera, ideme po druhom brehu cez riedky porast, ktorý má výborný terén na šlapanie, určite lepší jak kamene toku rieky, a preto rovnakú vzdialenosť ako včera dávame za 1h namiesto 3h.

Rozhodujeme sa, že či brodíme už teraz a pôjdeme lesom, alebo pokračujeme lesom a riskujeme, že nepôjde už brodiť a budeme musieť prísť k vzdialenejšej ceste. Tak sa rozhodneme brodiť, to ide hľadko. Popri rieke ide celkom dobrá cesta evidentne používaná losmi a medveďmi (stopy a hnedé stopy). V lese to ide ozaj pomaly, ale našťastie nám prebíjanie krovinami uľahčujú zas vyšlapané cestičky zvery, ktoré občas pripomínajú až ľudský chodník. V strede lesa sa stratíme, lebo nevedomky používame mapu z roku 1954, ktorá má magnetický sever úplne inde ako je teraz (sme blízko Kanady, tak je to dosť rozdiel). Tak sme mali aspoň o výhľad viac.

Po križovaní dvoch bažín s krovinami a po relatívne krátkom pochode tundrou sa dostávame na dohľad cesty. Sme mimoriadne radi, cestu symbolicky pobozkám. Hneď stopneme autobus a celú dvojhodinovú cestu po prašane spokojne prespíme.

Všetko prebalíme, dáme si poriadny neskorí obed, zastavíme na výhľady McDenaley a kempujeme u rieky. Po fajnej večeri sprcha v rieke, dobré pivko a ide sa spať, napriek tomu, že vedľa stanujú štyri baby. Sme proste unavení.

2016-07-10 (Dovidenia)

Ráno nás uvíta bledomodrá obloha, akurát v deň, keď mám nočný let naspäť rovno do práce. Každopádne, tento deň sme plánovali spôsobom “jak príde”, takže sme poväčšinou jedli a spali. Jediným výletom bol ľadovec Portage, kde sa mi po 4km šlapania a troche plávania, konečne doprialo vysnívanej fotky.

Aljaška bolo nad silné očakávania, silno odporúča 5/5 súdobroduhníkov.