The start of the year is always marked by New Year’s resolutions. We often tell ourselves that we will start living healthily, quit smoking, limit unhealthy foods and drinks, and start exercising. Many people find that these resolutions last only a short time before they fall back into their old habits. Fitness trainers refer to such enthusiasts as "January gym-goers" because most give up after a month of working out.

At the RC Frýdek – Místek and Kopřivnice, we embrace a healthy lifestyle with a New Year’s hike up the mountain Prašivá, which has been taking place every first Saturday after the New Year for 21 years.

How each individual engages with this sporting and relaxing initiative and how it inspires them to pursue further physical activities throughout the year is a personal matter. Of course, during the ascent, we greet each other, wish good health and enthusiasm for our Rotary work for the entire year, reflect on Christmas and gifts, as well as the last pieces of festive treats and samples of various liqueur experiments.

Prašivá, with its height of 843 m above sea level, is not particularly large in our region, but it is the last hill of the ridge that follows the course of the Morávka River from the north, making it visible from afar, and the view from the summit is certainly worth it. At the top, there is a beautifully renovated lodge of the Czech Tourist Club, which will celebrate its 105th anniversary this year. A short distance from the lodge, in a meadow, stands a wooden church from 1640 dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua. It was built by the estate owner Count Jiří of Oppensdorf as a token of gratitude for his rescue. Legend has it that he injured a stately stag while hunting in these parts, which became enraged and pinned the count to a tree with its antlers, preventing him from moving. It was only after a considerable time that his companions managed to free him. I do not know how much truth there is to this legend, but since then, the summit of the hill has become a frequent destination for local excursions, a pilgrimage site in June, and on beautiful days, many people gather here.

We were welcomed by lovely weather again this year, on the morning of Saturday, 4th January, and we all arrived at the summit comfortably at noon, whether someone took the route from the south, north, or west. We also welcomed our two exchange students, Emma from Taiwan and Valkýrii from Oregon, USA.

So, see you again on Prašivá next year, goodbye!

Arnošt Kuděla
RC Frýdek-Místek and Kopřivnice