Naprosyn - Recent messages

Špik, 24.6.2024

Up through the gully, return via Lipnica.

On the ascent the path crosses snow patches four times, already quite softened by late morning, but without winter gear the last three crossings are not advisable - the first is short and almost flat. All snow patches can be bypassed more (third, right via compact non-exposed rocks) or less (fourth, via scree left of snow patch to path junction) comfortably.

Summit in fog and rain, return on completely dry path via Lipnica. The lower section from the start of the greenery is personally the nicest part of the loop, with really nice views and atmosphere.
In this part I looked around so much that I almost stepped on a small viper amid dwarf pines, which retreated under a rock a second before due to pole touch - careful!

Ooooh, I was really expecting such useless ramblings, but I said okay, let's try anyway.
Seliškar legend, thanks for the insight.

Anyone been last week and knows snow patches status (both paths)?
Don't feel like carrying gear, then rather some grassy hill.

For illustration, photo of the remaining snowfield from 18.8.2021 - the bypass is not problematic, but staying clean will be hard.
On the circular path Škrbina-summit-Kotovo sedlo everything is ok, except that I stared into the fog for one hour at the top and after three hours (and onwards through the whole day) watched the sunny inversion from the valley.

Does anyone have info on the size of the snowfield under Via della Vita? Winter gear mandatory for safe passage? Based on last year's conditions, I think I know the answer, but still asking if anyone has been there.
What's the condition of the Ponc ridge path after this winter?

Zajzera-Montaž-Leva-Ceria Merlone-Zajzera (29.9.2018)

The whole route without peculiarities except one, because of which I'm writing here after a week under current conditions. In the wall of Špik nad Špranjo there's quite a big rockfall, probably fairly recent, definitely active. Part of the valley under the fall was covered in dust, grass and trees like in a quarry. From Škrbina Prednje Špranje I descended carefree over the scree under the fall and until I noticed from the dust on the rocks that it must have fallen not long ago, I wasn't in a hurry. When I had already climbed a bit towards bivouac Mazzeni, a solid rock slide broke off from the wall. I don't think the rocks could have injured me even if I was still on the scree, but still it wasn't pleasant to watch (and listen) even from afar, because the fallen rocks were quite big (mostly shattered while rolling, but still). Anyway, careful when walking on the scree under the wall. Better to avoid it completely by descending on the right side of the valley.

Bivouac on Špik nad Nosom around 13 o'clock was empty. Very nice, I admired it a bit longer.

pikpok, how much walking was it in total then? Just walking, any running in between?

I planned the same loop as you (to Montaž via Amalia, to Viš via Leva and Ceria Merlone, descent from Viš via Gola Nordest), but it seems too much without running for current day length. Now studying if I could make it without night walking at least to Škrbina prednja špranja and then descent to start.
Say I decide for two-day loop. Does anyone know if that bivouac at Špik pod Nosom is often fully occupied?

The loop I asked about I did anyway, without ascent to Kokrska Kočna.

Start in Ravenska Kočna, to Češka koča via secured path, then Kremžarjeva to Jezersko Kočna. From Kočna to Grintovec, over Dolgi hrb to Skuta, descent to Male pode and ascent to Koroška Rinka. From Križ descent to koča na Ledinah and back via hunters' path to start.
I really liked the loop, the best part is the descent towards Ledine (from screes under Križ onwards) and along the hunters' trail. Very nice path, exceptional scenery from all sides. For some reason I couldn't look enough at the west face of Velika Baba. Both huts were also very nice to me, especially Kranjska on Ledine is in an exceptional location. As expected, the descent from Skuta to Male pode and the secured part of the descent from Koroška Rinka annoyed me the most, the latter is especially tedious after a longer hike.

If anyone else has similar concerns as I did about comfortably doing such a loop in one day. As a only decently prepared hiker, it took me good 12 hours from start to end, of which about 11 hours of walking. Prerequisite is of course great weather, even more so if one is not local to these parts.

Tomorrow very early morning from Primorska to Jezersko (Ravenska Kočna), 2-3 seats in car. If interested, PM.

Specifically with a delay, but anyway, if the info on snowfield conditions is useful to someone.

Belopeška Lakes - via Italiana - Mangart - Bivacco Tarvisio - via della Vita - Belopeška Lakes (conditions 28.7.2018)

Path to Mangart OK, dry, no issues. Path marks from Mangart to Bivacco Tarvisio somewhat sparser, to which I'll partly attribute too long wandering from summit to Rob nad Zagačami (main reason poor path info of course, still don't know if bivouac reachable via ridge or only this path dropping to scree towards Loška Koritnica, so had to ascend again to bivouac).
At top of VDV small snow patch, easily bypassed. First time on VDV and path seemed quite attractive, tourist hiker of my kind can momentarily imagine rubbing shoulders with serious climbing. One bracket loose, rest impeccable.
Snowfield under wall much smaller compared to a month ago, yet at tour end exit from secured path and crawling to dry part on right side without winter gear quite nasty. First tried left side (facing wall), seemed easier initially and admit after realizing gully depth I got nicely worried how we'd get out. If we two were quite delayed at exit, not clear how older guy (no winter gear) we met soon below bivouac reached first protections (buddy thought maybe turned back below due to inability to exit steep gully and went up again). Apart from path finding issues, this snowfield was the most problematic part of otherwise nice hike.

OK, if it's twice as much I don't think I could manage it, let alone have time to look around a bit.
coffee, good suggestion, but I'd like to go also the secured path to Češka koča.

Does either of you have any more current info about snow on Kremžarjeva?

redbull, definitely no running, maybe slightly faster walking (hard to rate myself, last time e.g. walked Silvota Korena to Krn and Hanzovo to Mojstrovka in one day).

Actually just skimming route descriptions to decide the nicest loop. Up to your question I even thought from Ravenska Kočna first to Kokrska then to Jezerska Kočna, not reverse.
It seems to me that this variant to Skuta would be too long. Also because I likely won't start before 6.30.

Given that I would rather not walk the same paths multiple times, that would mean continuing over Križ and then towards the start.

Have you done this loop? Do you have data on the approximate total elevation gain?

Is it somewhat feasible for a solidly prepared hiker (not even close to mountain runners' capabilities) as a one-day circular route Ravenska Kočna - Kokrska Kočna - Jezerska Kočna - Grintovec - Dolgi hrbet - Skuta - Ravenska Kočna?

Otherwise I'll probably go to Grintovec and return, but still asking if anyone has already walked the described loop.

panda10, I agree. That's why I abandoned the idea of visiting until I get a bit used to using the kit.