Hello,
on Wednesday, 14.8.2013, I set off on a slightly longer trip across the Julians, from Rateče to Bohinj (Ribčev laz). The tour succeeded entirely, I gained a lot of experience and the eye saw the wonderful nature of the Julian Alps. I summarized the route as much as possible on an A4 sheet, so if anyone is interested in details, just ask. I'll be happy for criticism and information I don't know yet.
In the late evening hours from Rateče past the Planica ski jumps, to the hut in Tamar at 1106 m. Next day at 6am to the Nadiza spring for 3 liters of clear water from under Ponc, at 7am start towards Jalovec along Tamar valley through Mali kot to Veliki kot and Kotovo sedlo at 2134 m. In the cold morning wind from the saddle along the secured, not too steep path to the top of Jalovec 2645 m after 5 hours of ascent. Beauty of mountains, that's Slovenia, Jalovec the king of mountains. Half-hour stop and view of surrounding peaks, especially the yet unconquered Mangart. Descent to Zavetišče pod Špičkom at 2064 m, on a very nice plateau, with friendly refreshment spots for snack and beer. I pack the map and head on a 3.5 hour path through the forest above Zadnja Trenta, in the heat and occasional rocks to the famous Vršič at 1738 m, full of metal and tourists. Visit stamps of all three huts, Tičarjeva, Erjavčeva and Poštarska in one hour loop, for overnight Erjavčeva hut wins with view to Prisojnik and Ajdova deklica. Before dinner with goulash and dumplings a short mountain run past Zgornji žlebi spring for fresh water and back. Abundant dinner, short sleep, quick morning and early breakfast of tomatoes, homemade salami and bread, with rising sun backpack on shoulders and along Hanzova pot to Mala Mojstrovka. Easier path turns into very demanding secured climbing on pins and cables of the wall, first time I think of self-belay harness, but with right approach and safe steps I reach the top of Mala Mojstrovka 2364 m. View into Triglav massif and quick descent along ridge and scree back to Vršič pass. In very scorching sun still to the spring for cold water and on the path past Prisojnik and Razor to Pogačnikov dom. Path leads over scree and rocky-grassy southern slopes of Prisojnik past numerous springs to the foot of Razor. On a slightly more demanding path I climb past Utrjenega stolpa to Sedlo Planja at 2349 m, view towards Razor which is closed, then descent over Razor scree to Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih at 2050 m. At sunset, after 11 hours of mountaineering walk deserved dinner of ričet with sausage and rest in the dining room on emergency beds. Night passes quickly, clock is 5am when I put on my boots, sun still far behind Julijce, it appears right under the top of Bovški Gamsovec at 2392 m. When I climb a bit over Gamsovec top, in the morning sun to the south poses the eternal Triglav north wall in all its grandeur. Invaluable, intimidating, awe-inspiring. There I go! During descent on grassy slopes to Luknja at 1758 m I meet a group of ibex that pose for my lens at less than 20 meters. In Luknja others impatiently wait and prepare for entry into the wall to Plemenice, then I immediately start climbing on the very demanding secured path to Triglav via Plemenice. Path steeply ascends on pins and cables, view down quite intimidating, step aside and you're gone. On sections path unsecured and exposed, so great caution needed and no vertigo. A bit before Plemenice top Sphinx and Triglav pillar appear on left, then path to flatter part at Zaplanja and snowfields. At 2500 m remains last steeper part to top of ovčak and already at 12 o'clock I stand at highest point of Slovenia, Triglav 2864 m. View wonderful, eye reaches to Montasio in Italy, Adriatic sea, Karavanke and Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Crowd at top quickly deters longer stop, so I descend same path through Triglavska škrbina at 2500 m. Follows good two hours fast walk over svet podov and mulatieras to Tržaška koča na Doliču 2151 m. Stamp the book, drink Laško, check next route on map, I'm already at top of Dolič and Čez Hribarice at 2358 m. By the way decision falls to also jump to Kanjavec 2568 m, already under Vršaki and Dolina Triglavskih jezer opens. Path along valley flattens, rocks overgrown with low vegetation, after long time everything green again. Arrive at scree under Velika Zelnica and spot lake in Ledvice 1831 m ahead, real paradise starts after 13 hours mountaineering. By the lake choose right spot for lounging in grass, empty backpack, change, feast abundantly on cheese, tuna, bread and cherry brandy, wash and quench in lake, already hour passes and sun sets, head on to koča pri Triglavskih jezerih at 1685 m. In dusk already hear voices in front of hut, order beer and bed, sit and chat, already 11pm when head to dorm. Sunday easy, so lounge longer and say goodbye at eight. Path through larch forest and morning dew high vegetation along Austro-Hungarian supply path to koča pod Bogatinom and dom na Komni at 1520 m. From here view opens to Bohinj lake and already under spruce shade, through Pekel valley and on path with 48 hairpins to koča pri Savici at 653 m. Along valley quickly to lake and beach, swim and stroll along right bank to Ribčev Laz village, where my path ends and planning new one begins.
5 days, 4 nights, 46 hours walking and mountaineering, 8000 elevation meters up and down in 83 km distance.
Good luck.
