Blind and visually impaired hikers complete...

Blind and visually impaired hikers complete the Slovenian Mountain Trail.

They followed their dreams and stepped forward with determination, even though they could not see the path. Together, they completed 140 hikes, walked more than 97,500 kilometers, and even conquered Triglav. With collective strength, they pushed the boundaries of the possible. By stamping the last two mountain stamps in Ankaran and at Debeli rtič, the inPlaninci on Saturday, September 23, concluded the volunteer project Blind and Visually Impaired Hikers on the Slovenian Mountain Trail. From February 8, 2020, to today, it has led more than a hundred blind and visually impaired hikers along the Slovenian Mountain Trail (SPP), with escorts enabling their mountain experiences. They were joined by inPlaninci with hearing impairments, mobility impaired individuals, and neurodiverse AMA members. Thus, more than 300 inPlaninci and their escorts from all over Slovenia, as well as guests from Croatia and Italy, gathered at the inclusive hike on the occasion of the Slovenian sports holiday on the Coast.

The blind and visually impaired hikers stamped the first stamps on the Slovenian Mountain Trail at Mariborska and Ruška koča on Pohorje on February 8, 2020, and the last two in Ankaran and at Debeli rtič on September 23, 2023, in the year when this trail - the longest and most popular long-distance trail in Slovenia and one of the oldest in Europe and the world - celebrates 70 years. In just over three and a half years, more than a hundred blind and visually impaired individuals set out on the SPP, accompanied by 155 escorts (mountain guides, alpine guides, alpinists, mountain rescuers, escorts) who participated voluntarily. In 156 days, they carried out 140 hikes, three of which were two-day hikes.

With the support of mountain guides and escorts, they climbed numerous challenging peaks and forged many friendships during the hikes, but the ascent to Triglav will remain in their noblest memory. On July 18, 2023, 19 blind and visually impaired, four neurodiverse and deaf hikers ascended Slovenia's highest peak, accompanied by mountain guides, alpinists, and other escorts.

They put the finishing touch on their effort and perseverance on September 23, when more than 300 blind and visually impaired hikers, people with hearing impairments, mobility impaired, neurodiverse AMA members, volunteers, their escorts, and family members overcame the trail from Ankaran to Debeli rtič on the inclusive hike. Thus, they also marked 70 years of the Slovenian Mountain Trail, 130 years of the Alpine Association of Slovenia, Slovenian sports day, and the international day of sign languages.

"We are proud that we achieved everything we set out to do at the beginning and announced. Thank you to all who helped us in this and invested their volunteer hours in our joint project. I hope our acquaintances do not fade, but that we continue to give each other these precious moments," said Ana Oražem emotionally while stamping the last stamp in the Slovenian Mountain Trail Logbook, the leader of the working group Determined Step - no obstacles for the blind and visually impaired, who was accompanied at the head of the colorful mountain caravan towards Debeli rtič by her namesake, not only her guide but also her eyes on the mountain trails.

The Committee of the Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS) for mountaineering of the disabled and people with special needs - the inPlaninec Committee and the Cultural-Educational and Sports-Recreational Association (KPŠRD) of the Blind and Visually Impaired "Karel Jeraj" enabled the blind and visually impaired hikers to set out on the Slovenian Mountain Trail, conquer two-thousanders, climb Triglav, experience group hiking, enjoy shared evenings and awakenings in mountain huts, share enthusiasm and joy, and return to the valley tired but healthy and enriched by great experiences.

Proud of the inPlaninci, their escorts, and supporters were also the head of the inPlaninec Committee Jurček Nowakk and his deputy Marjeta Čič, who supported the project throughout and took care of hike organization. "Without a team of volunteers and so many completed hikes, we could not highlight the exceptional desire of individuals to conquer mountains and confirm what inPlaninci have long known within themselves - that they can do it, that they are an important part of society, that they are not just observers or even a burden to society. With a little help and encouragement, they moved from the 'couch'. For part of the day, we took electronics from their hands and enabled contact with nature, fresh air, and company ... But isn't that beautiful? InPlaninci are not the only ones who are with us and regular mountain visitors because of us. Many volunteers who accompany them would sometimes stay home, their lives are also fuller and brighter this way," emphasized Nowakk and congratulated everyone who achieved their mountaineering goals and dreams and proved that obstacles are only in the mind. He also announced a new project: between 2024 and 2026, inPlaninci will hike European long-distance paths and include the conquest of one of the three-thousanders among their goals.

That the conclusion of the blind and visually impaired trail on the Slovenian Mountain Trail is a real celebration, especially in the year when this popular trail celebrates 70 years, was highlighted by Miha Jakopin, president of KPŠRD Karel Jeraj, in which they celebrated the 60th anniversary of the first organized ascent of the blind to Triglav last year with a hike to Janče: "Many would say, why do the blind even go to the mountains. Mountains are not just views, we feel the mountain in our own way. In the evening, when we return home, we feel good, we were in good company that is like a big family, and we helped each other. Let's continue with a determined step!" Jakopin and his wife Simona are also the authors of the Determined Step anthem, which the inPlaninci and their escorts sang emotionally at the closing ceremony at the Center for Training, Work, and Care Dolfke Boštjančič (CUDV Draga) at Debeli rtič - Center of Slovenian Istria Ankaran.

"Your holiday is a holiday for all of us," said Jože Rovan, president of the Alpine Association of Slovenia, and highlighted how much has changed in 130 years since the establishment of the Slovenian Alpine Association, the predecessor of PZS. But the mountains have remained mostly unchanged - and if we step together, we can achieve incredible things, he emphasized: "This year marks 70 years since Prof. Ivan Šumljak, a man of broad horizons, drew the trail from Pohorje through the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Karavanke, Julian Alps, and Karst to the Coast. How popular it is, is evidenced by the fact that more than two hundred thousand people have bought the SPP Logbook; eleven thousand have hiked it completely, some of them blind. Šumljak certainly did not imagine that so many blind hikers would go on the Slovenian Mountain Trail; if he saw it, he would be immensely happy. I cannot imagine what the blind experience on the Slovenian Mountain Trail, but if it were only physical and not also spiritual experience, they probably would not have set out on the trail. Thank you for your effort and congratulations on this achievement."

Rovan and Nowakk awarded recognitions of the Alpine Association of Slovenia to the most dedicated and devoted inPlaninci and their escorts. Ivana Leskovar received the PZS Gold Honorary Badge, Stojan Rozman the Silver Honorary Badge PZS, and the Bronze Honorary Badge PZS went to Marjan Bogataj, Polonca Bogataj, Sašo Dreven, Marija Metlika, Silvo Oražem, Blaž Urh, and Miran Žakelj. "My dears, today I am immensely proud to be with you. I would most like to hug each one, and since I received so many hugs myself, I will go home significantly richer than I came. Escorts do not think of capitalist wealth, but of the wealth that each of you brings into our lives. You are a real gift to us and we receive much more from you than you need help from us," shone Ivana Leskovar.

Tatjana Popović, director of the Center for Training, Work, and Care Dolfke Boštjančič, Draga, also extended a welcome and congratulations to the crowd of inPlaninci; Matej Žnuderl, president of the Association of Societies of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Slovenia, sincerely congratulated them; Mladen Veršič, president of the Association of Societies of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Slovenia, described the event as a day when we celebrate perseverance, solidarity, and transcendence; while Ankaran Mayor Gregor Strmčnik, in his congratulations, highlighted how good he feels among simple, honest, and sincere people. Jana Führer read the poem Friend White Cane by Jelka Vuk Novakovič in Braille, and the solemn atmosphere was spiced up with her wit by host Urška Vučak Markež.

The organizers thank the Municipality of Ankaran, the Center for Training, Work, and Care Dolfke Boštjančič (CUDV Draga) at Debeli rtič - Center of Slovenian Istria Ankaran, and the sponsors who support them on all hikes: Lek, a member of the Sandoz group, and the company NiceHash, who know a lot about high obstacles and congratulated the inPlaninci upon successful project completion: "We hold deep respect for your work, for the self-sacrifice with which you perform it, and for all the effort and energy you invest in strengthening the role of inPlaninci." Their support to the hike organizers means encouragement to overcome new challenges.