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Konjsko sedlo (1782 m)

SuzanaM17. 03. 2014 19:30:02

Konjsko Saddle (1782 m) is a passage between Lower Komna and Vogel ski slope. It is located between Meja (1996 m), a peak in the ridge of Lower Bohinj Mountains, and Bohinjski Migovec (1901 m).

On Thursday, 13.3.2014, I continued the snowshoe odyssey that I started the day before at Zlatorog hotel in Ukanc and finished with ascent to Lanževica.
In the morning with playful Perla we admired the sunrise, around 8 I set off from Dom na Komni. Following tracks of skiers and two snowshoers I went past Govnjač pasture to Konjsko Saddle. Scorching sun already softened the snow in the morning, but thin crust mostly still held the snowshoes. Without them it sank to knees. When I crawled to Konjsko Saddle, I thought the worst was behind me, but the path continuation proved more demanding than the ascent itself. Traversing slopes towards Kal pasture on well softened and wet snow was not pleasant for snowshoes at all. Terrain is very avalanche-prone. Good that avalanches had slid down some time ago. The end of the path through Žagarjev graben, first among trees, then along ski slope edge. With snowshoes I could reach all the way to Ukanc.
And the circle was closed.

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) Around three in the morning the Moon woke me up, illuminating the room like a spotlight.

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) Not yet quite round, it quickly disappeared behind Bogatin.

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) A local from Komna, Black Pearl, kept me company.

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) the red dot on the horizon is the rising sun

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) for a tiny moment everything turned red

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) hunting for clumps

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) from Dom na Komni towards planina Govnjač

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) breakfast after Gregory's day

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) view back towards Dom na Komni

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) planina Govnjač, above it Mahavšček and Bogatin

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) ahead towards Govnjaški Kuk (behind it Podrta gora)

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) another magnificent view of planina Govnjač and the peaks above it

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) Remains from WWI on planina Govnjač

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) Planina Govnjač from the other side

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) Onwards to Govnjaški Kuk

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) ahead among white hummocks

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) first steep traversing ascent

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) it looked frozen, but without krplji it sank to the knees, the ski crust broke

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) initially I planned to Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih, but I was concerned about crossing wet snow to Fužinske planine

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) last flat section

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) left Hotel Ski na Rjavi skali (Vogel ski resort), ahead Bohinjski Migovec and steep ascent to Konjsko sedlo

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) below Vrh nad Škrbino

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) Despite the sun, the ski track under Bohinjski Migovec was still hard, so the ascent was not too strenuous.

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) Bohinjski Migovec from Konjsko sedlo

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) View from Konjsko sedlo on the walked path

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) View to the other side towards Rodica and the continuation of the path in the valley

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) Towards planina Kal across the old avalanche debris

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) Remains of a huge avalanche

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) Above planina Kal, straight ahead hotel Ski

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) Another small crossing over softened snow which I tried to bypass with a traverse ascent, but with snowshoes I barely pushed through the sinking snow (like walking on quicksand)

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) The path went only steeply downhill

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) Descent through Žagarjev graben with view on Triglav

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) Snow just right softened so that the steepness was still surmountable with snowshoes

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) Zigzagging between trees

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) For the ski track to the ski area through Žagarjev gradben

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) On the ski slope Žagarjev gradben

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) The not very pleasant continuation along the extreme edge of the ski slope was beautified by the view of Pršivec

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) in the lower part to Lake Bohinj

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) the path from the Vogel cable car to Ukanc goes right through the cemetery from the First World War

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) not very respectfully the skiers descended past the graves to their iron horses

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) finally a stop by Lake Bohinj in Ribčev Laz

Konjsko sedlo (1782 m) heat hazes above the lake obscured the view towards Komna

(+12)

vukovivek17. 03. 2014 20:46:32

SuzanaM nice photos :-)

carniolus17. 03. 2014 21:09:51

Excellent Suzana. You probably needed quite some protection from all that sun exposure? Did you get away okay?

SuzanaM17. 03. 2014 21:45:19

Factor 50+ was barely enough. Hat on the head, pulled low over the forehead helped so the brains didn't cook.

Thanks for the praise.

(+3)

SuzanaM11. 04. 2015 18:46:55

On Thursday, 9.4.2015, I repeated last year's snowshoe odyssey, only this time in the opposite direction.
I started at Ski hotel on Vogel ski slope, to which I arrived as the only hiker by gondola cable car. Shortly after 8 I was on the ski slope that wasn't operating this time, completely alone. And it stayed that way until evening when my path ended at Dom na Komni.

From Ski hotel I first descended on hard frozen snow to planina Zadnji Vogel and then followed quite a few tracks of skiers and snowshoers. From the planina tracks turned towards Vogel, towards Komna nothing. So I first went quite a bit uphill in direction of summer path to Vogel. After almost an hour snowshoeing I realized that skiers' and snowshoers' tracks turn towards Šija. So I descended again to the start above planina Zadnji Vogel and in the forest finally caught predecessors' tracks that went along well visible summer path. Path continuation to Konjsko sedlo was without issues. Hot sun midday quickly melted snow which stayed hard underneath and crampons under snowshoes held excellently even on steepest ascents. Towards top of Konjsko sedlo snow was still completely hard. If I hadn't wasted precious energy with initial wrong ascent to Vogel, approach to Konjsko sedlo despite significant climbing would be quite easy. But in scorching sun I pushed uphill really snail-like.

At Konjsko sedlo real surprise awaited me as everything was erased on the other side. So crampons and ice axe came in handy and excellent hard base enabled safe descent over the steepest part. Thinking worst was behind me and only snowshoe pleasures ahead, I headed further on white slopes. I followed barely visible skier tracks and came much too high for my taste. Between Mohorjem and Govnjaškim Kukom tracks disappeared and I alone searched for passages to valley. Without crampons and ice axe wouldn't go here either. Then almost hour of wandering searching passages in rock labyrinth to winter markers where I finally caught old ski track and even fresh track of hiker (probably female), along which I easily reached planina Govnjač. Further to Komna would go in extreme even in dark, which separated me by less than an hour.

So at sunset time hidden in haze after good 11 hours I arrived at Dom na Komni. Except 0.5 hour break at Konjsko sedlo and twice changing snowshoes with crampons I stopped only for photos. A year ago for opposite direction path (to Ukanca) with stops I needed over 7 hours. Everything depends on how nice "road" you get (and of course how fit you are to haul all winter gear). Didn't expect it to be so strenuous.

Next day continued to Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih and back over Komna to Slap Savica. Path description at link: http://www.hribi.net/trenutnerazmere.asp?slo=1&gorovjeid=1&id=861

instead of introduction - Konjsko sedlo below Bohinjski Migovec, left Triglav - 9.4.2015

while waiting for the gondola cable car to open, I enjoyed by Lake Bohinj - Pršivec on the head

in the bay on the other side of the inlet someone else photographed the morning beauties of the lake

while one boat rests, another still sails on the lake

in a few minutes I overcame 956 m - I love such ascents

alone on the ski slope that was gathering strength before the alleged last ski weekend

on the way to pl. Zadnji Vogel - in front of me a chain of mountains from Vogel to Podrta gora and Mohorje, in the middle Konjsko sedlo

Konjsko sedlo between Meja and Boh. Migovec

with snowshoes even 10 hours, if you're lucky and there are no ski tracks from Konjsko sedlo

ski tracks towards Konjsko sedlo turned into the hill towards Vogel still before the forest

most ski tracks zigzagged from the saddle on the right (I doubt they could go without problems over the saddle to the other side)

that's why I followed the tracks of snowshoers and skiers further towards Vogel

the tracks of predecessors went left in the shade, probably towards Šija

and before that an enjoyable descent into the valley and then a long hot ascent

another view towards the saddle, from which skiers were descending

my path climbed to the left up the gully to the ridge in the middle

descent to the forest with a view of Triglav

on the right path - through the forest nicely traceable and passable without problems

ahead of me the steepest ascent on the entire path

but before that some spring slowly arriving in the mountains too

short leveling for a break, but the ascent is far from over

view down from midway up the ascent - path can continue through Žagarjev graben and later join the ski slope

Descent down the middle into the valley below Konjski vrh, straight to Boh. Migovec

The path turns right towards Konjsko sedlo

I always wonder at the huge number of spiders that live on the snow - I had to be very careful not to step on any

One more look back before the path turns

View across Konjsko sedlo towards Komna and the W. Julian Alps

My elite folding snowshoes with 8 crampons safely brought me to the saddle, for the descent over the initial steep section mountaineering crampons and ice axe were perfect

Completely snow-covered slopes under Boh. Migovec, only the start of the ski track was visible

Back on snowshoes, look back towards Konjsko sedlo

Some carefree snowshoeing idyll that didn't last long

After a short descent I continued straight to the next saddle

View back - the path led me over the saddle on the right

Another view back at Boh. Migovec and Konjsko sedlo - left hotel Ski on Rjavi skali

The marker directs me in the direction of approach towards Mohor

Somehow I need to get to the valley below Mohor

With crampons over considerable steepness on the right (in the shade)

View back at Mohor from the labyrinth of scree

Below Govnjaški Kuk back in civilization (on the traces of predecessors) - view back, Mohor left

After another overcome ascent (but not the last), view of Dom na Komni

Just a few more minutes to the warm shelter, where they always kindly take care of me

(+14)

skalaš7011. 04. 2015 19:38:52

Nice bold feat, Suzana. We two met the next morning and exchanged some yesterday's experiences nasmeh

....hats off with what huge backpack you travel around zmeden

.
Be well and I wish you safe steps.
Oops...did you go towards Triglav Lakes...!?

(+3)

SuzanaM11. 04. 2015 23:56:05

Thanks, Skalaš70. Rather than in the bold category, I'm among the cautious. Bold ones go to summits that I just bypassed. Still, not always everything goes to plan and one needs to grit teeth.
My backpack makes an impression on everyone. Already 3 l bladder fills it (wasn't enough for the whole trip), some clothes (it's still winter in mountains), crampons and other gear and food for 2 days (kitchen was closed). Looks huge and over the head, I barely lift it, on the back it almost isn't felt. One of my best buys. Even on shortest walks it's with me, because with smaller backpacks my back, spine or shoulders always hurt.
I also arrived at Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih. Only the promised transport from Slap Savica was nothing, so to Boh. Bistrica I got help from a German with a noble Mercedes. Almost as elite as my snowshoes.

(+8)

Edina12. 04. 2015 08:25:12

Bravo, Suzana, congrats and deep bow also from me. Not just 11 hours on solitary winter tour with all gear, it hugely counts the determination to tackle the feat and execute it completely sovereignly.

Good luck on paths and those that don't exist at all, also in future nasmeh

(+5)

mukica12. 04. 2015 09:18:34

Suzana, sincere congrats for the whole tour nasmeh

(+2)

Edko12. 04. 2015 10:26:06

Suzana great...what kind of snowshoes are those, how do you walk with them, must try once.

(+1)

zdravc6912. 04. 2015 11:01:28

Sincere congratulations and my deep respect, Suzana!

(+2)

ločanka12. 04. 2015 17:15:28

Suzana, great tour description with photos you prepared for us! You are so experienced that you could organize a guided tour for us across all these passes, the experience would surely be indescribable! You awakened our longings and made this day beautiful for us, and other days when we return to visit this page. I know, on snowshoe journey you can feel like a king!

(+2)

SuzanaM13. 04. 2015 09:51:08

Thanks everyone. I prepared for the tour for a long time - both physically and mentally and waited for favorable snow and weather conditions. For such a long path everything must fit together, surprises in nature are always new.
My new faithful companions are TLS Symbioz Elite snowshoes, which flex and have eight crampons on the bottom part besides the front one. Despite all improvements, they don't convince me on traverses. Otherwise they are super. Only on flat hard ground more power is used for walking, because crampons grip honestly into the base. Before I had TSL 325 Escape Easy.

(+2)

radagremvhribe13. 04. 2015 14:59:05

excellently prepared, executed, photographed, we can only admire this courage and all-round readiness!
p.s.
can we see a photo of that famous backpack?

SuzanaM13. 04. 2015 18:27:55

Deuter ACT Lite 40 plus 10. In photos it's 40 l version, on Komna I walked with full capacity 50 l (capacity can be extended).

(+2)

ločanka19. 06. 2015 16:15:26

Since the Vogel - Komna topic is not open and because Konjsko sedlo was yesterday the center of all beautiful mountain views and scattered with plenty of flower cushions, I chose this title. Really, it was not possible to go further right away.
Since Bohinjski Migovec has tempted me for a long time, we also needed to check it out, so we boldly went uphill, then right across the grasses to under its pyramid, where it was visible that further into the rocks wouldn't go. We descended steep grasses, traversed them eastwards, but for further courage lacked, or preparation was insufficient. Well, we were happy, since we finally went just for scouting, and that was the plan.
The whole path from Vogel to Komna was yesterday really a flower exhibition, everything smelled nicely, on the path we met only two foreigners, and otherwise I had the feeling there's not much visit here, which is even more pleasing. On the way we picked also wild thyme and plahtica, both offered themselves. Long, long time I wasn't on this hike, now I think we need to go again soon on this path, just in some other variant, e.g. ski variant past Mohorja.
On Komna reliving the experience over really good coffee. And you get a lot!