List of forums / Slovenia / Karawanks / Lipše Gate (Gate, Felsentore)

Lipše Gate (Gate, Felsentore)

JTrogar23. 01. 2022 20:45:49

Lipše Gate (Gate, Felsentore) 18.1.2022:
At nine I parked under Rogarjeva tourist farm. Due to thawing in previous days the path was icy. So I walked next to the trail in knee-deep powder. Sun-exposed sections were dry. The section of the path bordering Austria is a bit annoying due to felled trees, branches not cleared yet. There I turned right towards Zijalka.
No ice stalactites in Potočka yet but the cave was no less interesting. At the protections chamois surprised me, triggering some snow on me from above. I'd seen some earlier in the gully under the cave. Good conditions to continue to Obel. Ice axe and crampons stayed in the backpack.
Tried conditions to continue towards Govci but sun had done its job. On south side large snowballs formed on my crampons, on north too soft powder. So abandoned it right away and descended to Austrian side to the beautiful Lipše Gates I like so much. Conditions there down compared to Slovenian south side were really wintery. Knee-deep powder on hard base plus ice axe and crampons, which I also removed midway. Reached the gates just as midday sun hit them. Not much snow there so circular path between and through gates not difficult. After longer stop there slowly headed back to Slovenia. The uphill traverse I was a bit scared of due to last year's leg injury turned out quite ok. Surprisingly hard and held me well on top. On the clearing on Austrian south side had some work shaking snowballs off crampons, took them off at border again.
View of Strevčeva peč at Rogar tempted me up there too, where for finale enjoyed panoramic view. Gear stayed in backpack.
Had a great time up there.
Best regards and safe steps to all from under beautiful Golte, Janez nasmeh