In an extensive and demanding two-day work action, the Kamnik trail markers made the access from Kamniško sedlo to Turska gora safer, renewed markings in the wider area, and replaced several damaged stamps and boxes in the Rinke area.
In the previous week – on Thursday, 18, and Friday, 19 September 2025 – the trail markers of the Mountaineering Association Kamnik carried out a demanding and strenuous two-day work action in the high mountains of the Kamniške Alps, involving as many as twelve trail markers: nine trail markers and one female trail marker from the Mountaineering Association Kamnik, plus two more mountaineering comrades, also experienced trail markers from PD Domžale and PD Kranj.
They set out on the laborious task of maintaining the mountaineering path from Kamniško sedlo via Kotliči towards Turska gora. This path mostly runs on quite demanding terrain, and weather storms from recent years had thoroughly damaged it. In addition to the weather, some vandalism by individual “mountain lovers” – who, for reasons known only to them, enjoy destroying stamps and boxes on peaks – also contributed.
On this beautiful and popular, though quite demanding mountaineering path, which is often nearly crowded not only for its mountain beauties but also due to the idyllically notorious bivouac under Skuta, which less aware hikers mistake for a kind of free mountaineering glamping, it was necessary to replace several damaged and pulled-out pegs at the most difficult spots and to install a considerable number of new safety steel cables.
In the wider area of Turska gora, many – especially “Facebook and Instagram hikers” – readily stray from marked paths into off-trail terrain, so the trail markers, for greater hiker safety and less burden on mountain rescuers, also renewed markings and replaced or newly installed several boxes and stamps.
Since carrying several hundred kilograms of equipment would likely have been too demanding and time-consuming – after all, this was by far the largest and most extensive work action by Kamnik trail markers in recent years – a police helicopter came to their aid. It transported them, along with all the steel cables, pegs, generator, drills, paints, tools, and food, from Kamniška Bistrica to the starting points, greatly facilitating the work.
Although the journey from the valley was much faster and easier, they still had to carry the heavy equipment and tools to the distant work sites on their own backs. Heavy and strenuous work, where every pair of hands or back is welcome, as they say themselves.
But the Kamnik trail markers – the valiant guys and girl who, as volunteers, have been caring for the maintenance and safety of mountaineering paths for many years – do not regret a single drop of sweat poured in the mountains, even though they are not paid for their demanding, strenuous, and often quite dangerous work, as some still mistakenly believe.
Moreover, in their enthusiasm, they are willing to sacrifice considerable free time – and even a day or, as in this work action, two days of vacation – for the safety of mountain lovers, despite numerous other obligations, which certainly earns them full respect. Above all, because their often overlooked voluntary work contributes the most to safe mountain visits.
As Boštjan Balantič, the action leader who, with the welcome help of his experienced predecessor Zdravko Bodlaj, is gradually taking over the leadership of the PD Kamnik trail markers section, said, the work action went smoothly and without issues, or as he put it:
“With such a coordinated and enthusiastic team, it’s a pleasure to work. The good work of past years shows – everyone knows their task. The rich experience and advice of Alojz Pirnat, a trail marker from PD Domžale who gladly joined us and took on the role of technical leader, were also very helpful.
We only regret that Zdravko Bodlaj could not join us for this truly extensive work action, but despite current health issues, he still came to see us off in Konec. But given that the action went without problems and the work was, at least it seems to me, well done, he can probably be reassured and proud, as he taught us well how to work in the mountains,” said Boštjan with a satisfied smile, also thanking the police helicopter crew in the same breath for safely depositing them at the starting points despite considerable wind.
More than satisfied with the successful execution of the largest and most extensive work action in the wider Turska gora area and the efforts of eleven trail markers and the female marker Manja – who largely took on the photographer role, though the guys unfortunately forgot to photograph her – is also Marko Petek, president of PD Kamnik, who managed to participate for at least one day.
As an alpinist, he especially helped with belaying, or as he jokingly said: “It’s probably quite right that, as president of the Mountaineering Association Kamnik, I participate in some work action myself, especially one so extensive and demanding. In fact, I was more of an external observer, so I perhaps realised even more that trail markers’ work is real hard labour. This action actually took place at three sites simultaneously – one team marking, another drilling and installing pegs and cables, the third mounting stamps and boxes…
The terrain is very demanding even for hikers, as these mountaineering paths are not for everyone, and work on such terrain is even more challenging. The work must be done thoughtfully and thoroughly, with attention to safety, every item carried at least three times. But our trail markers team is truly top-class and accomplished enormous work.
Weather, team, organisation… everything aligned perfectly, so the mountaineering paths around Turska gora, Kotliči, Soda brez dna, and Rinke are again well marked and safer, with new steps, pegs, and cables installed… thus all hikers, especially those doing traverses, will have easier and above all safer passage,” said the PD Kamnik president satisfied.
Given that there is never a lack of work in maintaining mountaineering paths, and enthusiastic, diligent hands are never enough, Marko Petek also expressed hope that some younger, enthusiastic mountain lovers will join the experienced Kamnik trail markers in the future, or as he said: “Not just anyone can be a trail marker – one must combine several different qualities. First, you must be a good hiker, a bit of a climber, a bit of a builder, a bit of a painter… Above all, not too fussy or impatient. Carrying a generator on your back up the mountain is hardly a sport that brings applause and fame, so the best trail markers are usually those hikers who don’t chase speed or other records but go to the mountains more calmly, mainly for themselves and their joy of hills and nature. If anyone would like to join the trail markers section of the Mountaineering Association Kamnik, just contact our association,” concluded Marko Petek.
Source:
https://www.kamnik.info/varnejsa-pot-na-tursko-goro-in-rinke/