slavkoa - Recent messages

We were on Veliki Snežnik on Saturday 18.3. from Leskova dolina. The path from there is mostly without snow, it starts around 1,200 m.a.s.l. but doesn't pose bigger problems. We didn't use even small crampons since snow was hard in the morning, in the afternoon when returning via hunting path it softened slightly and sank, so we used gaiters for drier shoes. Weather was nice, bit of wind on top and quite a few visitors also from our side (Kozarišče-Leskova dolina) and not only from Sviščaki direction. Good luck ... Slavko&Mirjam

Hello, was on Snežnik 1.1.2023.
Conditions excellent from Leskova dolina, windy on top, hut open.
Good luck.

Dejan, congrats for the "birthday" and may it never repeat but only successful and happy ascents and of course descents follow. Unfortunately we couldn't join you this year, I hope next year we manage to prepare for this anniversary. Greetings from Slavc & Mirjam

Bravo Dejan and company, nice alpinistic ascent, nice pictures and obviously conditions aren't bad either ... I'm curious what ascent you did for your January "birthday", I don't believe you stayed home.
We wish you many more such ascents Mirjam&Slavc

Dejan, nice, fast, adrenaline-packed as usual. Many more such ascents ahead...
Slavko&Mirjam

For November 1 there was a good weather forecast, so Mirjam and I decided to visit Vrtaško and Votlo Sleme. We started from Mojstrana at 7 a.m. in slightly foggy weather, the day before it was supposed to snow so we didn't really believe in nice weather. The initial steep ascent somewhat surprised us, as we were still a bit tired from Sunday climbing on Rigljica but in about an hour the steepness eases and the weather clears revealing the Julians in magnificent glory. Peaks protrude from dense cloud fog reaching up to about 1800 m creating the look of a white sea. First we visited Votlo Sleme then via the saddle headed left to Vrtaško Sleme. We wanted to continue along the ridge towards Kukova Špica and ascend to Vrh nad Mužici but abandoned the idea as we wanted to enjoy as long as possible the beautiful weather scene created by fresh snow cold air and sunshine over the Julians. More about the trip let the pictures tell...

On Sunday Mirjam and I tackled the ascent to Rigljica and Rušica, started at Jasna and gradually at dawn conquered Kurji vrh. Despite minor health issues we headed along the less visible path to the initial notch. First wall climbed slightly right then a bit left to upper low pines. Here we descended to gully and spotted last hard part of ascent - couloir leading to bigger rock with anchor. From there up couloir to scree and already at fore-summit. Found logbox too, but couldn't sign as logbook in very poor condition. Little more view along ridge to Rušica, which we skip this time and will be goal with Vrh nad Rudo and Frdamanimi police next visit here. Wonderful weather allows some photos then back same way. Of course used all anchors for abseils and safely down path to Kurji vrh and start at Jasna. Tour quite demanding, especially when tackling remaining three summits with descent from Frdamanimi police to Kačji graben. That next year.

Parkeljc, one of the parked cars was mine, as I arrived early in the morning and did a circular route with initial ascent to Ograde (right at dawn), then descent towards Lazovski Pass and ascent to Adam and Eve, from Eve descent on steep grass to the pass and ascent also to Jezerski Stog. From there I spotted you two on Adam. Followed visit to M.Stog, Krstenica pasture and back to starting point at Blato pasture. Beautiful day, I met the hunters too on Krstenica pasture.

Drago, these questions don't bother me either, the ones appearing these days for all possible tours, but like KJ I wonder if it's so hard for people to pack all the necessary gear, prepare themselves mentally and physically for the tour and maybe with a spare ice axe or crampons even help someone who will find themselves in trouble on their path. I have the gear with me at this time when snowfields are still present and never ask about the need for gear; if someone asks, they are probably not very skilled in ascending in these conditions and it's better that they go on an easier tour. Maybe then the number of accidents in the mountains would decrease, which are quite worrying at least for me. I'd rather suggest to someone a bit more "rudely" that they go on an easier tour than encourage them into an accident. The forum is really meant for information about paths, but answers from some experienced mountaineers can mislead the less experienced. No offense to everyone and lots of enjoyment on our beautiful mountains, above all: caution is the mother of wisdom.

Dejan congrats...yesterday wanted to suggest moving your feat to alpinistic ascents but here too you nicely spice up "usual" visits to our daddy.
Good luck further, Slavko&Mirjam

This discussion really doesn't belong in this section, please admin delete all unnecessary posts by anonymous users who can't shake the Slovenian habit of arguing about everything. Maybe it would be smart to abolish anonymity and allow posts only by users with personal data (of course verified). Posts should really only relate to current conditions, photos and such. I'm very disappointed with some individuals posting here as I was always convinced that mountaineers are positive people, full of understanding, ready to help in the mountains and elsewhere anyone even those who sometimes do something stupid and then post it. Please think a bit about yourselves and try to be more understanding towards others at least on these pages that describe all the beauties of our mountains and the positivity of all of us trying to conquer them in one way or another.
Lots of enjoyment in our mountains Slavko&Mirjam

Darinka, take it all with a grain of salt as I too have bad experiences with comments and rarely post my mountain adventures with my Mirjam and watch not to write anything controversial. Even Dejan got tons of negative comments but didn't stop posting and that's right. Just keep describing your experiences and take digging criticism as well-meant and a lesson for the future. Even experienced hikers make mistakes in nature protection; the important thing is it doesn't become mass as we'll litter our beautiful nature ourselves, which we often don't appreciate enough. I believe you're among aware hikers so expect your posts to continue, same from others who with experiences lift many from couch and help them become part of privileged lucky ones who enjoy our country's beauties. Nice mountain greetings to all, especially you Darinka

Flapho, I agree with your thinking, I'd just add one thing, that just like hiking "by car", spring inquiries about whether the path is passable without winter gear are annoying to me at least. Are crampons and ice axe really that heavy and is it worth risking your life for a kilogram of extra weight in the backpack ??
And safe steps in the mountains to all visitors.

I wouldn't want to act smart but I can tell some of my experiences, since I go to Veliki Javornik above Cerkniško jezero several times a week where it's bear area and I meet it often too. Last time 14 days ago a she-bear with cub, which was only 20 meters from us with the dog but she just observed us and calmly went her way. I don't recommend shouting, running away, throwing on the ground as some recommend, but calmly observe the bear's movement and slowly retreat from it, be audible on the trail (bell, talking, singing...), if the bear charges at you drop something of yourself on the ground (shirt, gloves, hat, backpack ...) the bear will definitely stop and play with the dropped thing and then go its way. Bear hears, smells and sees very well, so it moves far away from human and no fear of attack. Spray you get at Lovec store in BTC, hall A, Lj. Darinka you'll meet a bear sooner or later, I heard they saw it in Nanos area, where you also occasionally roam... or am I wrong. Good luck and no fear... I fear unbalanced people more than bear.

On Saturday my Mirjam also decided with a friend for a winter ascent to Kamnik Saddle. Start from Kamniška Bistrica when it was already daylight, road dry, then slowly to the saddle in cloudy weather and poor visibility. Despite that, they somehow reached the top, of course with crampons and ice axe, as the path before the summit is frozen and dangerous for slipping. After a short rest in the winter room they went down to the valley, on the way they also practiced slipping with the ice axe and walking with snowshoes, if needed for future ascents. Nicely spent day despite slightly worse conditions.