| katty28. 02. 2017 19:58:15 |
It often happens that a peak sticks in your memory. And stays there. Like a written word on paper, like some child's wish to St. Nicholas for a gift, which they wait for all year. And that's how it is with me when choosing tours. Peaks, unvisited ones, hidden. Carefully guarded. And such ones, packaged like some special chocolate, we save. For when ideas run out... for when the body is "dialed" to at least 1000m elevation gain, with an ascent that takes at least 3h walking... of course one way.
The plan changed in the last hours. From Italy we crossed to Slovenia, but still close to the border. Later we realized that we had actually made the right choice, as we surpassed that 900m elevation gain. Worth every minute, every step, every breath.
Lake Jasna in Kranjska Gora was resting. Only those above it were already yellow-tinted, so calm they were, ready for new visitors. Jasna didn't have them yet, it was still early. Only here and there someone rushed by, towards Vršič of course. We didn't look back, we went towards the new adventure. Hiking signs above Pišnica directed us. First along it, then above it. We watched each other, guarded one another. Amid signs of spring, from catkins, alder cones, to pussy willows, we steadily ascended. And sighed many times, thrilled by the surroundings, bird song, spring approaching irresistibly. We checked out all nearby viewpoints, as each reveals something new. Beautiful, mysterious, unexplored. It's warm, due to sun rays snowflakes on trees fall like late-autumn leaves. All the time feeling like someone is following us. No, we were fighting the snowy ground alone. In the lower part there's not much of it, more higher up. That it's Sunday is felt by the valley noise, bustle at the nearby ski slope. As it should be, music accompanies us. The valley one was quite disturbing too. But we didn't let it bother us, we steadily ascended. Above all enjoyed. Above one of the gravel gullies a steep slope looms over us, a bit below the sign for Bedančev dom. It really stands upright. We ascend slowly, walking is easier if I make steps ahead. They take some energy, time. But we have plenty, as enjoying all the time is more important. Days for enjoying are now so long that it's worth using them fully. The ground under fresh snow is icy in places, so we're careful, especially where there's greater risk of slipping down the steep slope. Since the steepness doesn't let up, and above us only the ridge, we wonder only where Mojčin dom is. But the fact is, it takes much more walking to reach it, as in snow it's much more time-consuming, of course also demanding and requires much more will and fitness than usual. And it's tiring at the same time. Most likely the nice Saturday attracted quite a few visitors to Ciprnik, it was nicely and widely trodden. Views, wide ones, reveal many paths unknown to me. From Špik and Kurji vrh, to Prisank. We also peeked into Karavanke, and beyond them to the other side, to Dobrač and even further the views went. Much of the mountain world is still unknown to me, of course I look forward to unveiling and discovering new paths. By eye we estimate about 30cm snow, in places a bit more. Some fresh snow, maybe 10cm. Suddenly an old building appears above our heads, the permanently closed Dom on Vitranc. Who it's for now doesn't interest me. But it's a shame it sits on this exceptional location and spoils the otherwise surrounding, perhaps fairy-tale idyll. As true hikers we sign the mountain logbook. I can't wonder enough that only about 20 people have been here this year. Probably the fact that it's at least 2h walk from any starting point is to blame for such modest visits. But it's also true that many don't sign such books at all, so no one knows the real situation about visits to this point. Shame, as it's worth the effort just to visit Mojčin dom on Vitranc. It seems more and more to me that the best paths, tours are those that properly "tire us out". Where the heart breathes properly, muscles work properly. We always fondly remember such ones after the tour, as it takes quite an effort to reach their peaks. Three girls kept each other company at the hut, one a more regular visitor to these parts. And she gives us super info on which way to descend to the valley to make it easier. We went past the old single-seater lift, following footsteps of visitors from the previous day. It was so calm, peaceful. And great, as we witnessed an exceptional natural phenomenon. Rare, thus all the more valuable. We had the chance to observe a quite wide and large sun dog. Wonderful, unforgettable experience. Among snow-covered spruces creating interesting shapes, fallen trees, dry storm-broken ones and larches we walked, all the way to Vitranc and further. We overcame gentle ups and downs like nothing, only in one place a good 10m descent followed. Then again steepness that doesn't let up to the top. Thank God there are wire ropes to help us, otherwise most are under snow cover, using them makes overcoming the steepness and path without steps easier, which I easily firm up in the snow with my winter boots. Last 15min are strenuous, almost a bit grueling. But we overcame them too and were immensely happy to reach the 1745m high Ciprnik, otherwise a phenomenal viewpoint over Tamar. And we can be proud of this achievement, as it was a bit strenuous this time. Because of the snow, of course. But where there's a will, there's a way. We've experienced this many times before and probably will many more. We share the peak with two young guys, tour skiers, actually one even brought a board. Thrilled, like us, by the offered views. We didn't linger too much, took some photos and slowly, carefully and steadily returned to the valley. At the same time enjoying what's offered, unfolding before us. Well-deserved snack before the hut gave us new strength, so the walk to Kranjska Gora was more confident. We didn't return the same way, descended towards Vitranc ski slope, where world cup race will be in a week. Unfortunately the path above Bedančev dom leading to Jasna lake wasn't trodden, so we approached the tourist-crowded Kranjska Gora along and on the ski slope - meanwhile the slopes were already closed. Where the needed and tasty coffee awaited us.
So, I ticked off another peak on the list. But it, instead of shrinking or shortening, just grows or lengthens.
Life is beautiful if you live it   š
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1617
 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63
| (+7) |  | |
|
|