| pg30. 09. 2021 10:04:06 |
It's true I rarely report on ascents in our hills - especially since they seldom bring novelty to the forum - but given that reports on Pihavec ascents are lonely this year, and the peak itself much less visited lately, I'll treat myself to a slightly longer report this time.
Last Sunday during a stressful period (especially as lazier students got even more used to relaxed Covid-time approach :tongue ) at the end of September I wanted a shorter, less ambitious outing, so headed to Pihavec, one of the last peaks above Kriški podi left in my collection (excluding the brr ridge between Goličica and Planja). Original traverse plan via lonelier route fizzled due to conditions, substitute was nice though. Description probably known to many, no harm providing it for a curious follower.
In the morning with companion who accompanied me to Luknja saddle, among numerous hikers heading to Triglav or Kriški podi, parked in Vrata and walked to the pass, where sunny morning was replaced by quite dense fog and strong wind gusts. Continued solo and despite poor visibility, when fog was only occasionally blown away by a stronger gust of wind, reached the famous gully in the west wall of Vrh nad Kamnom without major orientation problems, where Tina Mihelič, great Julian Alps expert, ended her life. Gully offers the most elegant crossing of the wall, but quite demanding - one few-meter passage requires climbing good II grade (guide states even II-III, which is too much here), the rest easier but still steep. For return on the same path, less experienced ones should not forget to take a piece of rope.
From gully continued on steep precipitous grasses and followed logical ascent course on grasses and scree between Pihavec and Vrh nad Kamnom, a bit below the Čez Kamen notch also spotted two lonely cairns. Near the notch joined the upper part of the marked path and easily reached spacious Pihavec summit.
No views on the lonely peak nor proper alpine atmosphere could be conjured, but occasionally Triglav and Razor group revealed above the fog. Before heading back, a guy surprised me - and I him - who supposedly had not experienced a visit here yet. Well, a look in the logbook showed that visits are not (anymore) so rare and that even that day we were not the only ones.
Based on assurances of the mountaineer I met and log entries suggesting passability of the path, from the notch I headed down the (still) marked path (original intent was descent via pathless south ridge over M. Pihavec to pl. Zajavor, but had to abandon due to very poor visibility and strong wind). Protections in upper descent part from notch partly damaged, but where really needed (crossing vertical jump secured with steps and cable) function satisfactorily; on the other hand terrain truly collapsed and ascent on this path in given conditions deadly dangerous. If at all, when descending solo where we can control the situation, use it only for descent, even better to avoid it until possible repair/reopening; given the route and broken terrain I doubt the latter is really worthwhile.
After descent over large scree field continued on easier pathless terrain under Bovški Gamsovec ridge to Dovška vratca (2180 m). Then it fully cleared up and I couldn't help but climb back up nearby Bovški Gamsovec for the trademark views and in good 20 minutes stood on the summit. On the way met quite a few hikers, on summit enjoyed and photographed wonderful views - with now fully clear view of Triglav north face - and was back at Dovška vratca in less than an hour; this time did not descend the otherwise very nice, already known path to Luknja but, since afternoon obligations were already urging me, quickly descended over Sovatna. In an hour and a half was in the car and heading back in weather hinting at possible evening precipitation.
Although the outing was meant as an easier tour after some more ambitious paths abroad, it turned out to be an interesting little tour in quite wild surroundings, even though located near Triglav promenades.
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