Along Mountain Paths to Los Angeles or Tokyo...

Along mountain paths to Los Angeles or Tokyo, 35 thousand volunteer hours of trail markers.

Mountain paths crisscross most of Slovenia, leading us to almost every elevation, but not only that - along them, we could walk a quarter of the way around the Earth. The network of more than 10 thousand kilometers of mountain paths in Slovenia is cared for by 950 volunteer trail markers of the Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS), who dedicated more than 35 thousand volunteer hours to maintaining the paths last year. However, we often only become aware of their dedicated work and the importance of markings, directional signs, and maintained paths when something goes wrong. The maintenance and arrangement of mountain paths, novelties in the field of marking and directional signs, training of professional staff, the condition of mountain paths in Koroška after floods, and tips for safer mountain visits in summer were presented by the Alpine Association of Slovenia with Koroška trail markers at a press conference on June 4 at Dobrova near Dravograd.

Mountain visitors often only realize the importance of markings, directional signs, and maintained paths in fog, darkness, on a destroyed path, or when we get lost, which allow us a safer and more carefree visit to the mountains. "The alpine organization takes care of the network of mountain paths with a total length of 10,124 kilometers, in addition to overseeing around 2,000 kilometers of mountain biking paths, which means that along Slovenian mountain paths, we could walk a quarter of the way around the world, as the Earth's circumference is approximately 40 thousand kilometers. If we straightened all the mountain paths in Slovenia into one path, it would lead us to Los Angeles or to Tokyo," said the president of the Alpine Association of Slovenia Jože Rovan, a trail marker for more than 50 years, at the press conference with an eloquent comparison. Although they would deserve an Olympic medal for maintaining mountain paths, the volunteer trail markers of PZS value most the thanks from the mouths of hikers who notice and appreciate their diligent work.

The majority, 9,993 kilometers, are easy mountain paths, 81 kilometers are demanding, and 50 kilometers are very demanding mountain paths. They are cared for under the umbrella of the Commission for Mountain Paths of the Alpine Association of Slovenia (KPP PZS) by volunteer trail markers, members of alpine clubs who are the caretakers of mountain paths. "Currently, there are 950 registered trail markers of PZS, who extend, mark, clean, and maintain mountain paths voluntarily, for the good of all visitors, both domestic and foreign. The maintenance of mountain paths is assisted by funds from the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport, in addition, the trail markers dedicated 35,355 volunteer hours to maintaining mountain paths in 2024, which is about 37 hours per each trail marker, or approximately one working week of volunteer work per year. One trail marker cares for 11 kilometers of mountain paths, which is almost twice the length of the path from Vrata along the very demanding Tominšek path to Triglav," explained Rovan, also a trail marker instructor.

The Alpine Association of Slovenia is introducing new directional signs, which will gradually replace the current ones. Directional signs provide information about destinations on the mountain path, walking time to them, the alpine club that is the caretaker of that section of the path, and the difficulty of the mountain path, which is better visible on the new signs in a combination of black and yellow colors. All new signs have added logos of the trails they follow, as well as a standpoint plaque with altitude, the number 112 for emergency calls, and a QR code that connects us to the maPZS application. Similar standpoint plaques with an added stamp will be installed by the alpine organization at all mountain huts or other control points of the Slovenian Mountain Trail and the Slovenian Mountain Biking Trail, so that hikers can stamp their logs even if the hut is closed.

The free application of the Alpine Association of Slovenia maPZS shows users all marked mountain paths in Slovenia, so it is an excellent tool both for planning trips at home and for orientation in the field. The maPZS data is reliable and up-to-date, as they are updated daily by path caretakers, PZS trail markers. In addition, maPZS allows the user simple reporting of path damages, which hikers can also report to the email poskodbe.poti@pzs.si. Due to great interest, the project leader Andrej Stritar held an online seminar on the use of maPZS in May, the recording of which is on the PZS website, and it is worth mentioning that maPZS is downloaded from the web address mapzs.si and not from the app store.

"An easy mountain path has no special marking, we move along it with usual mountain equipment, we don't need to help ourselves with hands while walking. But we must be aware that although an easy mountain path is technically undemanding, it can be physically demanding if it is longer or with a large elevation difference. A triangle marks a demanding mountain path, which is more exposed, so we help ourselves with hands at individual harder places. A triangle with an exclamation mark marks a very demanding mountain path, where the use of hands is necessary, it has built-in pegs and steel cables that allow safe passage in areas that would otherwise be impassable for ordinary hikers. It is important that hikers responsibly decide on how demanding a mountain path they will embark on, and choose one that they can handle," the first man of the Slovenian alpine organization Jože Rovan lays on the hearts of hikers.



Rovan also showed an example of a new warning sign as an upgrade to the joint campaign Safe Path to Slovenian Mountains: "The new bilingual warning signs at the starting points of very demanding mountain paths are an upgrade to the joint campaign with the Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia, the Slovenian Tourist Board, the Police, and the Triglav National Park. They are intended to warn less experienced mountain visitors in areas where there are also more interventions by mountain rescuers. The basic criterion in the selection was easy accessibility of starting points, as access by road and then a short path to the starting point can be fatal for the inexperienced." The new sign is already standing under Komarča on the path to Triglav Lakes, by the height of the summer mountain season they will also be placed at Klin in Vrata for the Tominšek path and at the junctions for the Hanza path in Prisojnik, Hanza path to Mala Mojstrovka, for Žrelo in Storžič, and for Turski žleb above Okrešelj.

The equipment with which we embark on a particular mountain tour or excursion is adapted according to the difficulty and length of the mountain path and the altitude we have to overcome, highlighted the general secretary of PZS and mountain education instructor Damjan Omerzu: "We recommend that the backpack always contains a personal first aid kit, aluminum foil, headlamp and spare batteries, mobile phone with full battery, map, as a smartphone can also fail, spare food, enough fluids, and warm clothes and protection from rain and sun. On demanding mountain paths, we also take a helmet, and if the path leads over steel cable secured parts of very demanding mountain paths, also a self-belay set. An indispensable part of the equipment is also appropriate footwear. On easier paths, these can also be lower mountain boots with quality soles, for high mountains we recommend higher boots that provide additional support and protection." He also warned that despite summer weather, conditions in the high mountains are still wintery, above 2000 meters there is still a lot of snow and snowfields are common lower down. Many high mountain paths are still at least partially under snow, so for visiting high mountains, an ice axe, crampons, helmet, high mountain boots, and warm clothes are mandatory.

"Many hill visitors don't even know that mountain paths are maintained by volunteer female and male trail markers. For the safe step of visitors, we dedicate our free time and even a day of vacation, not to mention all the hard work and effort. All for a safe step," the heartfelt work of trail markers was also illuminated by Drago Kure, head of the Committee for Mountain Paths of Koroška and trail marker instructor from the Alpine Club (PD) Ožbalt-Kapla, adding: "Most mountain paths are categorized as easy, so trail markers have the most work with maintenance and arrangement on these paths, which lie in mid-mountains and lower-lying areas. These are also the most visited and due to the increasing number of people on the paths and natural phenomena such as storms, gales, landslides, floods, and other disasters, also more exposed to destruction."

Trail markers constantly monitor the paths they maintain. Basic maintenance of mountain paths includes implementing measures for their appropriate passability and drawing or renewing markings and other associated signs, renewing inscriptions or setting up directional signs at intersections of mountain paths, at starting points, and elsewhere on the paths. In areas where passability needs to be improved due to erosion influences, due to steepness or openness, trail markers make additional wooden reinforcements, such as stairs, side reinforcements of path edges with logs or wooden fences. In high mountains and elsewhere where there are demanding and dangerous passages, they install pegs and steel cables.

Trail markers of PD Dravograd demonstrated path cleaning on the mountain path to Šteharski vrh, which is part of the Koroška Mountain Trail, namely Marjan Epšek and Ivan Lužnic mowing grass and sawing branches, Ivana Kotnik and Brigita Skrube marking the path and cleaning directional signs. On a tree, they drew the most recognizable sign, a red circle with a white dot in the middle - the Knafelc marking, which has been guiding us along mountain paths for 103 years. "The marking is drawn so that it is visible in the direction of walking. It is usually drawn at eye height on the right side on trees, rocks, sometimes also on other objects. Immediately after a junction, the next marking is usually visible, confirming that we are on the right path. The marking was introduced by hiker and cartographer Alojz Knafelc in 1922 and is therefore named after him - Knafelc marking," said Ivana Kotnik.

The quality work of trail markers and uniform procedures for maintaining mountain paths are the result of trainings that have been conducted for many years by the Commission for Mountain Paths of the Alpine Association of Slovenia (KPP PZS). "Not everyone can be a trail marker, nor can everyone draw signs on mountain paths, trail markers attend special trainings and gradually qualify for work on mountain paths. Currently, there are 950 registered trail markers of PZS, of which 23 are trail marker instructors. We are glad that there are more and more female trail markers in our ranks, currently 165, as well as three female instructors," is satisfied Maksimiljan Kotnik, head of the Training Committee of KPP PZS and trail marker instructor from PD Dravograd.

As Kotnik explained, everyone interested in caring for mountain paths must first complete basic education, the qualification of trail markers is divided by letters: "A category A trail marker is a beginner, draws markings, manually cleans paths, and helps the more experienced. After two years of activity, they can go to training for category B trail marker, who works mainly in mid-mountains, where wood is most used, so they also complete a course for working with a chainsaw. Those who want to further upgrade their knowledge can apply for the course for category C trail marker, who performs the most demanding work, mostly in high mountains, mainly in rocks." Only the most experienced trail markers extend and maintain paths on sections of mountain paths equipped with pegs, foot pegs, steel cables, brackets, carved stairs, extended shelves, and other demanding elements, and organize actions on the most demanding mountain paths within the Technical Group of the Commission for Mountain Paths PZS. Trail markers of all categories must attend a refresher course every five years, where instructors present novelties in the field of marking, with emphasis on the use of electronic and navigation devices used in maintaining mountain paths, as trail markers must ensure the highest quality of the mountain paths cadastre.

Koroška trail markers also demonstrated the construction of stairs, which are made for safer passage of a steep part of the mountain path. They are very welcome after rainy or snowy precipitations, when the terrain is slippery and boots muddy, passage over stairs is safer. For their construction, they use healthy wood resistant to moisture (oak, chestnut, larch), for stakes acacia wood. With an iron rod, they make a small hole, with a heavy hammer drive in the stakes, lay the cross log, with a drill bore a hole in the stake and drive in a nail. Thus, they connect the stake and log and fill from behind with stones, sand or soil, the upper part of the log is notched to be less slippery. If the terrain allows, sometimes they also make stairs from stones.

In the disasters two years ago, most mountain paths in Koroška were damaged, especially in the Mežiška Valley and in the area of Črna, Peca, Olševa, and Raduha, but the diligent trail markers have already renewed them all. "On the mountain path Bukovnik-Koča na Grohatu, we renewed the stairs that were carried away by the torrent. The heavily damaged path Jama Topla-Dom na Peci we renewed for three days with the technical group of trail markers. We installed pegs and steel cables, chiseled two steps into the rock, made stairs over the slope. Over the torrent, we installed a larch trunk, fixed it with metal pegs for wood and covered it with stones. Already in September 2023, united trail markers from all over Slovenia at the day of Slovenian trail markers on Pohorje and Kozjak arranged 112 kilometers of mountain paths that were affected that summer by windthrow and torrential waters. Koroška trail markers also renewed all the remaining damaged mountain paths, so now they are safely passable and we invite hikers to Koroška," outlined the active work of Koroška trail markers the head of the Committee for Mountain Paths of Koroška Drago Kure. The Day of Slovenian Trail Markers, a work action organized by the Commission for Mountain Paths PZS and MDO PD Podravja, will be this year on July 5 and trail markers from all over Slovenia will renew paths on Boč, southern Pohorje, and part of Haloze.

The mountain path from Jama Topla to Mala Peca received funds for renewal last year as part of the action Best Mountain Path and this year too, Zavarovalnica Triglav will enable the renewal of the winner in the selection of the best mountain path 2025. Hikers can still cast their vote until June 8 for one of the six selected paths that in their opinion most needs renewal.

The latest episode of the PZS podcast In the Wall also takes us among trail markers, as Miha Habjan hosted the exceptionally experienced trail marker and instructor Boštjan Gortnar, indispensable for many years in technical actions of trail markers on very demanding mountain paths: Being a Trail Marker - the Heartiness of Volunteers on 10,000 Kilometers of Mountain Paths in Slovenia.

The work of trail markers will also be possible to get to know at the Day of Slovenian Hikers, which will be on June 14 at Janče. The Alpine Association of Slovenia and the Alpine Club Litija, which celebrates 120 years this year, are preparing a full-day mountain event at the Alpine Home at Janče, experiences for young hikers, families and adults, guided mountain and mountain biking trips, sport climbing, presentation of the work of trail markers and mountain rescuers, and much more interesting.