| VanSims22. 07. 2013 22:14:46 |
On Saturday I park a bit below the third hairpin of the Vršič road and head to Krnica and onwards to Špik. The path after a short walk through the forest first crosses Suha Pišnica and then several more times. After the last such crossing the path is obviously a bit eroded by avalanche, have to pull oneself a bit on rock because of that but nothing serious. From here to the hut must be the most annoying part on descent on this path that I remember for next time if I ever go to Špik again, because no way I'm returning via Kačji graben.  The path then reaches the scree which it crosses and starts ascending again. From here onwards the path is perhaps a bit monotonous, you're walking and ascending and waiting when you'll reach the upper chimneys, i.e. the more interesting part, which is also closer to the summit.
Up to somewhere where the path turns towards Lipnica I was alone, then suddenly traffic starts: three Austrians overtake me, and I met people descending. That lasted about half an hour, then I sit down a bit and snack what gives me strength to continue. And after another half hour I'm already at the chimneys. Since I was alone again I could calmly, without curious looks and who-knows-what thoughts, climb freely with self-belaying. The start is quite tricky (would already be like UIAA II, no?), then after the chimney bends it's easier. To the top of Lipnica I actually stray from the marked path and since I don't find markings ahead, I return. Then there's that slightly annoying traverse and soon I'm at the sign marking descent via Kačji graben. From there a bit more easy climbing towards the summit.
On the summit I was alone. While snacking, I toss bits of sandwich to choughs too, who almost fight over them. One chough constantly misses out, even though I purposely start throwing towards it. In nature there's no solidarity, animals are egoists, generous mountaineer is obviously a rarity, struggle for survival is tough.
Then a couple comes up, whose male part mistakes Prisank for Triglav so I explain that they'll have to do without the view of it because it's behind Škrlatica. Well, they know the town whose part is visible to the north, Villach, and I immediately remember how someone on Mangart baptized it Kranj.  Visibility wasn't all that far, but everything of our Julians that is visible was seen, the Italian ones behind Mangart, Montaž of course across the Austrian border the unmistakable Dobrač, which is a staple in distant views from around there, the Karavanke ridge from Kepa to Stol was visible, the latter already somewhat in mist. Even Karnics to Mokre were visible, which I of course recognize by that 'iron' from Trogkofl.
Then I descend and head to Kačji graben. The snowfield there is still suitable for 'skiing' with boots and poles  probably not for much longer (question also if it's still frozen in the morning). When the fun ends, the scree begins, which unfortunately isn't as nice as down from Coglians to continue 'skiing' fluidly. Well, there around the last snowfield by the path sheep approach from below.  They really came high, although grass is practically gone there.
When the scree ends, the tedious path down the gully begins practically all the way down. Really as someone said before me, you don't know whether to climb or have poles, constantly assembling and disassembling them so they don't hinder on climbing sections. Man, annoying... As said, next time down via Lipnica.
When I join the path along Pišnica, it's another 15 min walk to the junction with the Krnica path at the monument, from there the same to the car. In KG then traditional beer and ice cream and home.
Next weekend the neighbor is planned!
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