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St. Jacob 806m above Ljubljana

viharnik14. 11. 2010 12:18:16

Since the weather in central Slovenia looked like there might even be some sun, I don't hesitate and quickly dash off on Gary Fisher towards Sora at Studenčece, past the church at Tehovec, Brezovice pod Jakobom and up to the summit itself. On the way at Tehovec I stumble upon pork cracklings, prime meat from a 130kg pig, but it's all already sold. Up top I enjoyed quite long sunny spells, where I chatted with old cyclists who prefer the hinterland of Venice by the sea and also our Istria for tours. After about an hour of sunbathing at the top, I head home via Toško Čelo and Dolnice.
Nice, warm tour over autumn paths rustling full of leaves, probably one of the last this year. Take advantage of it!, see you. nasmeh

St. Jacob 806m above Ljubljana Church at Tehovec 660m

St. Jacob 806m above Ljubljana Grmada and foggy Tošč

St. Jacob 806m above Ljubljana Hills, unfortunately already sold.

St. Jacob 806m above Ljubljana On the west. ridge of Jakob 700m

St. Jacob 806m above Ljubljana Pleasant sun at the top

St. Jacob 806m above Ljubljana In the future there will be little of it, mostly rainy days

St. Jacob 806m above Ljubljana Beautiful Jakob in the blue sky

viharnik16. 11. 2010 20:36:53

Yeah, you're right, Solid. I've been cycling since '89. First with some semi-MTBs, later in the 90s fully-fledged mountain bikes without suspension from America appeared, Al geštel, Shimano DX gear, whatever for then when I got Scott MTB in my hands. This one still holds me for city with low-profile narrow tires and still flies like a runaway ski.
In winter really as you said I slack off this thing and before on snowshoes, now second year in a row switch to alpine skis. Lp! velik nasmeh

On Toško čelo even some clear sky for encouragement

I'm hurrying down so it doesn't wash me away

Below Jeterbenk at the chapel down to the right

I look at the nicely renovated Slavkov dom with reportedly excellent kitchen

viharnik18. 01. 2011 16:32:21

Given that over the weekend I was sawing a giant walnut from '77 with a chainsaw on Lojze's place which was already pushing into the house, today I took advantage of ideal conditions for a MTB tour.
I ride straight to nearby Toško Čelo, which was already completely washed of valley smog. Further across the plateau towards Katarina the road is almost dry with some decorations of snow piles. Above snow-free Katarina it was already quite summery warm and lots of older hikers. Such weather I don't remember in mid-January, which should normally bring the coldest weather. Up at Jakob like on the beach, probably at least 10 degrees warmer than in the valley. After short sunbathing at the top, I quickly descend back to Toško Čelo, where I meet friend Jože happily digging and fixing the ski jump. Yeah that's the guy who has already hiked and climbed all 2000ers of Slovenian mountains and most 1500ers. He has only 45 left of approx 500. Nice day, which will appear like this only in late spring. nasmeh

View from Toško čelo on Jakob to the right in the background

Where are those little paths that used to be (overgrown road once)

Autumn or spring, if you asked a prisoner on parole

In Polhograjcih there is no trace of snow anymore

viharnik4. 02. 2011 16:26:57

Today again a great MTB tour to Jakob!.
The path from Toško Čelo despite some icy tire tracks and snow dust is good, thanks to the spread sand. In between there are also some standing puddles, which southern sun reaches. Above the inn Na Vihri-Schwarzmann, on the road all the way to the saddle lies packed dry snow, which is well rideable. Back I rode the harder snowy same path, which didn't cause issues at adjusted speed in bends. Great tour, I recommend in the morning, when snow isn't melting yet, so you'll come home a bit less dirty than me today. jezik

One is going down on foot with the bike?(inappropriate tires)

The traverse to the saddle is hard and snowy

viharnik29. 03. 2011 16:03:04

Today St. Jacob lured me again to his green spring slopes, full of awakening flowers.
As usual I start via Toško Čelo and further on the road to Katarina. But there the thought strikes me that at the little church of St. Katarina lives a recently met nun-climber, traveler by bike to Provence in France etc. and I should at least greet her. I ring at the parish house, after priest's permission Olga receives me in her home. Over home melissa tea talk turns to climbing, where she mentions she free climbed among others in Paklenica walls right after the war. Back then armed guard soldiers let her into the gorge when she precisely said where she's heading, name of the route. Then climbing there was just beginning, as everything was still overgrown, rock much more compact than now when everything falls down. Then when she broke her ankle jumping on a ledge, she and her climbing partner spent the night kneeling, next day guards were already shooting into the wall because they weren't down. One version of soldiers' guesses was they are spies, another that some maniac from around killed them, but some guy all green who bivouacked below explained to soldiers what's up. A wardrobe soldier came towards and carried her to first military medical aid. She even climbed with Šrauf and as trainee was already selected for Himalaya, which she then gave up. At Katarina up there it's always windy either from north or south, and snow this year almost 70cm. I nicely greet her and go along the traverse under Rog to Jakob. Quickly prepare for descent, when on the last slope of Katarina I meet my namesake, alpinist from Anapurna shop Rok Kovač. He too was heading to St. Jakob. Already at Toško Čelo I stop at the Gače ski jump garden, where I noticed before that Jože is again diligent and preparing the jump for next season. He is one of the few who has thoroughly hiked all 2000ers and 400 hills out of 550 over 1500m in Slovenia. He also climbed the ridge Rušica, Riglja and to Frdamane police with local from Rut, guide Klemen Gričar. On part of the tour he showed him a rock cave where only 22 approachers of routes were described. At 7h they started the tour in the valley, only at 8h in the evening they stood on Frdamane police both well dehydrated. They descended through Kačji graben. After nice chatting with friend in the sun I shortly rode towards home. nasmeh

In the morning the sun barely pierced the valley fog on Toško Čelo

Jože sets up the ski jump, this year snow in the hollow lasted many winter days. The man has been to all mountains in Slovenia!

End of the Gače ski jump, record is 17m, but jumps can be even longer.

viharnik25. 06. 2011 13:52:23

There are many paths leading to St. Katarina and further to Jakob, so today I took a lesser known but nice access.
From Ljubljana I ride via Motel Medno, where after short descent I turn into pleasant green and quiet valley of Babni dol and Bormes. I ride past Slavko's hut another 500m or so, when on the right a gravel cart track appears. Here we stick to this path all the way, it first ascends along the stream, crosses some weekend houses, later steeper up until we reach the flat at sandpit. From here some easier ups and downs await, where view to Katarina already opens up. Soon we reach first farms, continue straight. At last right junction where no house, we turn steeper up. Here the path over the highest farm brings us to chapel and top ridge under Jeterbenk 774m. Follows only short nice ascent and descent and we're at parish Katarina 738m, but Olga wasn't home this time. The path to Jakob from here on is already known to MTB visitors. Returned via Toško Čelo, where at the jump I met Jože again, who was already mowing this year's new grown grass during renovation of take-off and landing of the jump. Prev. 32km, avg speed 15.4km/h, riding time 2h 3min. nasmeh

At the end of the visible path near the new hut we go right onto the cart track

Already on the way to Katarina with beautiful pastures

View of Katarina with the church on the right

The path leads under the slopes of Jeterbenka 774m

Above it passes to the summit ridge at the chapel below Jetrebenk at 700m

sla27. 06. 2011 08:26:22

On this path where you went up, we usually ride down with the bike :-)

viharnik6. 07. 2011 20:30:41

In the morning the Ljubljana basin was covered in thick fog and you had a feeling of autumn. But we don't give up! I saddle Gary and do the standard ascent to Jakob for two hours round trip.
At Toško Čelo similarly no sun, just grayness. Only at Katarina, when turning to the Schwarzmann inn at 740m, clear sky opens above me! Nice tour as usual, views and pleasant silence and nature. What more could you want? jezik

Above Swarzman at the viewpoint 745m, the fog cleared

Over sedlo Katarina (Topol) 658m the fogs were flowing from the south

viharnik23. 10. 2011 15:57:59

Quite foggy weather with occasional drizzle didn't get me farther than the bike today.
I ride the established route via Toško Čelo to the top and back via Žlebi home. Cold I felt only on descent, since uphill the engine warms, so thermo clothes with softshell were just right. Up there it was still real winter and from clouds snow drizzle now and then. Descent despite warm clothes quite cold but still spectacular.
Again I enjoyed the tour, this time by bike velik nasmeh

Remains of snow breakage on the ridge road towards Jakob

Another one, but with a bike it goes past

Goats under Jakob graze on feed from the farmer

In the direction of Ločnica where there is still plenty of snow for skiing

Judging by the visible snow pile by the roof, it snowed abundantly here

viharnik1. 12. 2011 15:34:55

Just a stone's throw higher than Ljubljana basin the hills bathe in warm sun, so despite 1 December I quickly get on the bike.
Fog clears already at last right bend of Toško Čelo at 500m. I ride further across plateau and to Jakob all the time in pleasant sun rays, at road edge admiring dark scarlet colors of leaves that covered forests for winter sleep. Jakob despite workday looked similar as weekend, parking at Na Vihri full. Views already quite some time known with blue sky, only towards Austria some smaller disturbance of cloud front showed. On dry grass I stock up on vitamin D and on same path, on which I ride in frost only few km, return home. Great and so close. nasmeh

Ljubljana basin and Šmarna gora and Rašica

Here I'm already warming up in the warm sun

I also photograph Osolnik and Gontarsko planina

And back into the whiteness of the refrigerator

viharnik25. 12. 2011 13:48:54

Last time this year I head out on bike towards St. Jakob.
Morning I ride on ice crystals from last night precip, so under tires it's crunching. Sunny slopes already melting and also me uphill riding not cold at all. At Toško Čelo a group of moms bargaining how many potica each baked for Christmas, in between still eating and tasting them after abundant dinner previous night. Well I for Christmas ate moderately and the good stuff. To Katarina almost no person not pushing with car all the way it goes, i.e. to upper parking above Vihra. People too lazy to do that poor 1km on foot from Topol saddle and at least clean digestive organs if nothing else zmeden

. Up there quite nicely warm and back I lay a bit on dry grass under summit, completely reserved for me, cause no bench comfort again velik nasmeh

. For return I choose path over Toško Čelo with at least some sun, cause over Medno in shade I'd freeze a lot. On the way met only two cyclists, and even that one who dashes around very often all year, young guy 64yrs. Great and practical tour from home. HAPPY 2012! nasmeh

Morning in the mist and on the frozen road

On the Ravnik plateau towards Katarina only a little sun

(+1)

viharnik15. 04. 2012 09:36:58

Yesterday early afternoon I took advantage of rainless weather, though on the return I got some weak flurry.
The tour was classic with ascent over Mamovc farm, traverse on the northern path to the ridge below Jakob, down via Toško Čelo.

viharnik22. 07. 2012 13:25:04

Cloudy weather and the end of the rain was perfect for another trip to Jakob.
I rode the tour via Toško Čelo, Katarina, Jakob and with descent to Žlebe and back via Medno home.
Sand is wet, but puddles on the path are very few. Since it was pleasantly cool today, I also rode the last steep climb to the top of Jakob on the bike. Chatted a bit with the arrivals, then via the northern pass over Mamovec farm rode to the valley.
Jakob never disappoints, let alone that I would ever get tired of it nasmeh

Polh.Grmada and Tošč from Topola-Katarine

viharnik2. 09. 2012 12:51:20

At the end of the rain I went to Jakob to test new tires on MTB.
No bigger puddles on the way, some fog, no views. Circular return via Mamovec and Žlebe and Medno home. Still, if nothing else, I sweated a bit and enjoyed the fresh air. velik nasmeh

In gloomy weather on Toško čelo, but still better than at home

Sv. Katarina with Ljubljana basin on the right

View of foggy Govejek and below the Micke house

turbo3. 09. 2012 13:55:31

And the tires zmeden

performed well zavijanje z očmi

viharnik3. 09. 2012 15:07:43

Turbo, I took tires of the same brand, but different model Bontrager XR2, which perform well in heavy loaded terrain (leaves, sand on hard base and for compacted clay)- due to longitudinal narrow profile shape it cuts well into such surface. Bought at Funsports, specialized bike shop opposite Mercator center Šiška (Dravlje). Bontrager now offers discount on their tires +2 inner tubes free=40€ two pieces. They came in handy, because with the front tire due to wear in serious descent I already punctured two tubes. Top tires are Schwalbe Nobby Nic Performance, made in Germany, which proved in magazine tests as best for all riding conditions on all terrains, of course a bit more expensive. Otherwise for us ordinary mortals on MTB, basic Bontrager are already great. Grips too much in corners eek

Shop link.
http://www.funsports.si/products.php?catId=245#desc

(+1)

viharnik26. 09. 2012 13:52:51

In Ljubljana the weather is still holding with occasional short showers, so the MTB tour to Jakob was a smart choice.
Up via Toško čelo, midway before Jakob a small shower with warm southern wind sprinkles me, up top better, down below catches me again a shower of the same kind at Motel Medno. Interesting descent this time past Slavkov dom. Super close tour before the rainy season. nasmeh

On Toško čelo even some sunshine for encouragement

Below Jeterbenk at the chapel to the right

On the upper Katarina path to Slavkov dom

The path is interestingly varied and not boring

I also look at the nicely renovated Slavkov hut with an allegedly excellent kitchen.

viharnik14. 10. 2012 13:00:55

For such weather Jakob is always a suitable MTB tour.
I ascend via Toško čelo, midway on the plateau I observe from the bike all kinds of mushrooms growing by the road. After this marsh the forest with mushrooms has gone wild! During the foggy ascent I turn right before the saddle Katarina to the farm and via grassy road to the upper road at Katarina. There I continue to the ridge-rest area under Jetrbenka and left on gravel road arrive at the Kozomer farm on the north side. From there the track winds zigzag almost to the top of Jakob's ridge shoulder (it is possible there to go more gently straight under Jakob, where the track turns left to the cross), a little bit on foot is needed. Then a jump to the top and return via Mamovec to the valley. nasmeh

Chapel of St. Catherine below the church

Steep ascent partly cycled (steep grass, gullies - lifting mountain bike)

(+1)

elpadre14. 10. 2012 18:09:30

on St. Jakob I was up today too with the bike and the tour was really great. I met some cyclists, maybe you among them (hehe)

Next time we can arrange a joint stage of the tour de katarina

lp

(+1)

viharnik14. 10. 2012 18:39:42

Indeed, this Jakob is great and the approach paths around it. With me there were only two hikers, for the tour no problem in the future, even in winter if needed! velik nasmeh

viharnik23. 12. 2012 12:05:19

On the day of the end of the dark Kali yuga and beginning of the new human era or golden Satya yuga, when I knew there would be no physical end of the world, I went carefree on the MTB tour to Jakob.
The ascent with good equipment was really pleasant and not too hot, which I like. Almost no snow left, just some patches of snow ice on the Ravnik plateau and the north descent to Žlebe. Since riding on hard frozen and thus compact base, the tour is especially exciting, and if occasionally you ride on snow even more jezik

. Up top it was much warmer, which I felt well on the return descent to Žlebe.
I wish you a happy and personally spiritually internalized Christmas and with the new year a transition to a better and brighter future that the stars promise us.