Ravenska Kočna - Skuta (past the cableway and over Dolgi hrbet)
Starting point: Ravenska Kočna (1000 m)
Starting point Lat/Lon: 46.385°N 14.5364°E
Path name: past the cableway and over Dolgi hrbet
Time of walking: 5 h 45 min
Difficulty: very difficult marked way
Difficulty of skiing: very demanding
Altitude difference: 1532 m
Altitude difference (by path): 1700 m
Map: Kamniške in Savinjske Alpe 1:50.00
Access to starting point:
From highway Ljubljana - Jesenice we go to the exit Kranj - vzhod and follow the road ahead in the direction of Jezersko. In Zgornje Jezersko only a little behind the gas station, we will notice a road which from the main road branches off to the right (direction lake Planšarsko jezero). The road then leads us past the mentioned lake and behind it for a short time steeply ascends. Higher, the road flattens and at the beginning of a large meadow loses an asphalt covering. We then follow the macadam road to a larger marked parking lot.
Path description:
From the parking lot, we continue on a macadam road following the signs »Češka koča, Ledine« and after approximately 15 minutes of walking, we come to a cargo cableway.
At the cableway, the path goes behind the bottom station of the cableway in the direction of the mountain hut Češka koča and at first, it is gently ascending on a wide path, which in few minutes brings us on a bigger clearing. The path over this clearing is usually quite muddy therefore be careful. After 20 minutes of walking, the path brings us on an indistinct small ridge, where there is a bench. The path then continues through the forest and after additional 20 minutes brings us to a crossing, where from the right side, the path from a meadow (lower starting point) joins. We continue left and already after few additional strides, we get to the next crossing, where from the right side, the path from Makekova Kočna (neighbouring valley) joins. After that, the path out of the forest passes on scenic slopes, where with the help of some steel cables and a ladder ascending towards the mountain hut Češka koča (Hudičevi klanci). This part of the path in dry isn't difficult and does not pose a greater risk (more caution is needed in late autumn, when the gullies are covered with ice and in the winter, when there is snow). The path then flattens and it brings us to Mrzla dolina (cold valley 1500m), where often cold air is retained. Next follows only good 5 minutes long moderate ascent and the path brings us to the mountain hut Češka koča na Spodnjih Ravneh.
From the mountain hut, we continue right on the path in the direction of Kočna, Grintovec and Vratca (left mounain hut Kranjska koča through Žrelo). After a short ascent, we come on flat ground with sign H (intended for landing a helicopter). The path ahead runs on at first gentle scree, which is partly covered with dwarf pines. In the lower part of the scree path on Vratca branches off to the right, and we continue straight in the direction of Kočna and Grintovec. After approximately half an hour of walking from the mountain hut, we come to the next crossing. We continue on the left path in the direction of Grintovec (right Kočna) on the path which quickly brings us to the beginning of the wall. Here we put on a helmet and we start climbing part of the path. Climbing at first isn't difficult, but ascent dangerous because of the gravel on the path (dangerous for slipping). Mountain wall on which we are ascending then becomes steeper, fixed safety gear are more and more frequent. Next follows climbing on natural passages through grooves, gullies and ledges. All the time of the ascent beautiful views are opening up on Jezersko and surrounding peaks. After a little less than two hours of "climbing" we step exit the wall and step on a saddle Mlinarsko sedlo, from where a view opens up towards the south. Here we are at the crossing, where we go left in the direction of Dolgi hrbet and Skuta (right Grintovec). From here ahead we have to the top of Dolgi hrbet only good 30 minutes of a secured climbing path. At first the path leads us on the southern slopes of Dolgi hrbet, but with the help of numerous fixed safety gear the path quickly brings us on a ridge again. Next we walk on the ridge, in parts path runs above 1000 meter precipices. This path, which is in wet dangerous for slipping soon brings us to the summit of Dolgi hrbet.
From the top of Dolgi hrbet we continue on the ridge ahead in the direction of Skuta. With the help of fixed safety gear path brings us to the spot, where the path from the bivouac Bivak pod Grintovcem joins. Here the path flattens and passes from precipitous on less steep slopes. We continue towards Skuta on the path which in a gentle descent with the help of few iron spikes on the left side bypasses the peak of Štruca. The path ahead brings us on a small indistinct saddle between Štruca and Skuta, from which in 15 minutes on undemanding upper slope of Skuta we ascend to the summit.
Ravenska Kočna - Češka koča 1:30, Češka koča - Mlinarsko sedlo 2:45, Mlinarsko sedlo - Skuta 1:30.
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