Traverse in the S wall of Raduha
Today we decided to explore the traverse in the S wall of Raduha. We were interested in the section: from the climbing path to the ridge which we climb from Račke vrata to Mali rt (1975m). Quite a long traverse, and we parked the car down by the bridge over the Savinja (GROBELNIK).
Anyway, the PZS notice says:
PD Solčava announces that the path to the Koča v Grohotu pod Raduho is closed on the section Grobelnik – Tolstovršnik - Planine Javorje – Dolgi plaz – Lipni plaz – Koča v Grohotu pod Raduho, due to active landslide and wall collapse above the mountain path.
Quite cold morning, white walls of Raduha and the above notice don't deter us from our planned intention. At the yard of the Tolstovršnik farm in the morning (7:20) the guard dog greets us and wonderful views of Robanov kot, Raduha, Olševa… When vertical walls start greeting us from the right, we notice a poorly visible arrow on the rock. It immediately attracts us. We decide to explore. In the steep, wet, rocky gully sprinkled with ice pellets with Milan we turn back... we'll return when dry. We continue on the nicely visible path in the steep forest that winds above precipitous slopes. Wet, slippery, the trail gets lost, we crawl on all fours… we turn back (cca. 2 hours lost). Again, along the marked towards Grohat. The described landslide doesn't cause us problems, as we're used to worse.
Before Grohat steeply into the forest our way and to the ridge, which takes us to the marked a bit from the junction for Durce and "climbing". A little before the chains we turn right on the nicely visible path. Past the mark on the rock, the path is visible and traceable. Then, we notice another nicely traceable path that branches steeply down (we'll explore where it leads next time??). Continuation follows under the wall, without special difficulties. Otherwise wild, solitary and above us high precipitous walls, smooth rock jumps. Soon we come across sawn trees and nicely cleared path? We don't expect that and don't understand the meaning... soon it all ends. Milan a bit higher under the wall finds a cairn. Happy that we're on the "right path" and continue. Soon we encounter first difficulties....!! Path lost before steep gully. Milan searches passage higher, we lower. But we all cross the quite tricky gully and meet on the other side. We climb back under the wall and after medium difficult climbing reach the rock tip (14:50). The only logical continuation is: steep descent into the next gully.... Together we decide: return to the bush and search for descent path. Starting point is next goal! We'll continue another time when rested and not so wet.
We search passages, cross gullies and only slowly descent succeeds. Precipitous walls and unclimbable rock jumps hinder us. When steepness eases a bit we start descending and finally… NICELY VISIBLE, FRESHLY MADE HUNTER'S PATH. Almost sorry to leave it, but it leads us too much towards Rebrnik, or Rebrski stan. Again down the steep gully and finally to the forest road that leads us back to Tolstovršnik farm. While walking on the wide forest road our gazes wander to the vertical wall of Raduha and we figure out where we were moving…?
In the end we orient ourselves and satisfied conclude: we got quite far, some path still awaits and to meet Herletova path, we return…
Path start at junction from marked is nicely traceable. Hindrance was wetness and ice remains from yesterday's storm. Most of the path then advances only on chamois tracks. Constantly need to search for them and easier passages in eroded gullies. All happens above and below precipitous walls and rock jumps. Short climbing sections don't exceed II, most of path is I. For experienced pathfinders and lovers of wild, hard-to-access nature. Altogether strenuous but beautiful 11 hours.
Lp