Wow, what a day I slogged through.
Morning drive, when I get out of Lj fog not a cloud in the sky. At Valvasor at 06h all alone, no soul around. Only mega strong wind blowing, which was unpleasant, but luckily it calmed eventually.
Snow starts above Prižnica exactly at 1700 m asl. What thrilled me is that the snow was completely frozen, ideal for walking. Grin from ear to ear, as I had previously worried it would be too soft. First on track, best seemed to put on microspikes and continue with poles. Well, that lasted only another 100 m altitude. Suddenly around 1850 m asl the track ends, slope steeper. Immediately swap microspikes for real crampons and poles for ice axe. Winter gear mandatory!
In short, pure enjoyment. Up at the fork turn into the gully between two Stols. Snow still holding. Really ideal for crampon walking. To spice up the tour, for the final ascent I turned left directly into the steep slope. When past the rocks it was a bit less fun, because I encountered windpacked sugary snow. Not a nice feeling, although probably just a layer of snow from yesterday's night precipitation. Or not, I don't know. Anyway, immediately turned more to the other side - what is sure is sure, safety first - and by the shortest path to the ridge and on to the summit.
Summit windless with some fresh snow. Warm, not even need for windbreaker. Views insane anyway.
Still no living souls anywhere. Only from the saddle between the Stols spot the first ski tourer. Then another 2-3 hikers in the distance. Whoever went today, I think was very satisfied.
Back over Mali Stol and snack under Mali Stol with insane view on Bled and Julians. Back to the gully and down the gully to Prižnica, where I sunned a bit.
Only in the second half of the gully the snow started sinking more, just right for fast progress (time ca 10:15)
Below Prižnica on the path a nasty patch of pure ice persists, there I almost did the splits. Always be careful!
Excellent day.
But ARSO forecasted cloudy all day?!
Safe steps to all!