roksraka - Recent messages

Hi!

On the map I noticed potential for a nice loop trail, namely: starting point at Pokljuka, to Viševnik, then across Mali and Veliki Draški vrh to Ablanca and back to start. Each of these peaks looks quite manageable individually, although many paths are unmarked, I couldn't find data on direct links between these peaks (except Viševnik - Mali Draški vrh).

Has anyone tried such a tour (or at least one part)? Is there any particularly tricky section in between? Would it make more sense to go in the reverse direction? Specifically those ends aren't very familiar to me.

Thanks and best,
Rok

View of Skuta on Sunday (30.6.) morning:

I was yesterday on Rinkas - winter gear no longer needed. At two spots towards Kranjska Rinka I had to cross small snow patches, but probably total length about 10m. Kick a bit into the snow for a step, and it's fine.

Yesterday (26.11.) from Suhadolnik:

Snow starts already at end of macadam forest path, but just dusting on ground. To saddle via Taško, back old path - both paths normal no issues, snow on path normally passable without crampons. Practically all markers visible, path trodden.

Above saddle more snow of course, but path nicely trodden, snow holds and nothing frozen. Crampons on at cca 2100m very useful, but saw people up and down without. Summit cca 30cm perfect snow - nothing mushy or frozen, holds well. Top clear little wind. Back same path, total around 7 hours.

The path over Mlinarsko sedlo is not dry. Over the weekend I slept in the Pavle Kamperl bivouac below the saddle, and already on the way to it I had to cross some snow patches (otherwise not demanding even without winter gear). I didn't go higher, but the situation is visible from the picture...

I was on Viševnik yesterday (12.2.), start from Rudno Polje (or at barracks).
Conditions very easy, snow already very compacted but not frozen. I put on crampons somewhere at the ski slope and think it was a good move. Route well trodden, no orientation issues.
Reached the top before sunrise as first. Almost no wind all the way, but up top almost blew me away.

Yesterday (5.1.) went from Stahovica over Mala Planina to Gradišče.

Up to Sv. Primož all dry, last bend icy. Up to cca. 1200m the path is already quite worn and hard packed (bobsled track), so crampons are at least essential for descent. On the plateau itself paths are well trodden, snow excellent. Off paths snowshoes would come in handy.

Weather below was quite warm and partly sunny, the top was completely in cloud with visibility <50m, no wind.

@pantani1 Currently, 3rd degree avalanche danger is declared for south slopes above 1600m, which is practically the entire ascent above Kokrsko sedlo, so I guess that's why there haven't been many attempts lately...

I was at the saddle on Saturday (7.1.). Inversion in the valley in the morning, otherwise warm, up top clear skies and just below zero. Snow starts only at Pastirci (1430m), but little of it. On the top of the saddle about 30cm - firm and packed, no sinking. Path well trodden and slippery in places. Saw some people putting on crampons only for descent, but I think worth it for ascent too. Microspikes enough, ice axe unnecessary.

Some hikers continued to Planjava, for Brana conditions supposedly totally unsuitable and too dangerous (steep icy slope, powder under ice).

Yesterday (2.1.2023) we went to Great Peak via Kofce. Cloudy weather at the start with occasional moments of sun, snow starts only a bit before Kofce, otherwise a bit muddy. From the hut onwards practically only snow, but relatively soft and slightly south-facing, so we did not put on crampons. We walked on the already trodden path that occasionally sinks to the knees. Cloudy weather lasted until cca 1700m, then we started ascending into the cloud. On the ridge a really fierce wind was blowing, so we quickly went to the summit from which nothing was visible at all, and quickly returned down and boosted morale with struklji.

Summary:
- technically completely undemanding and safe
- snow slightly south-facing, mostly trodden, sometimes sinks
- crampons unnecessary (but probably wouldn't hurt)
- cloudy, summit in cloud and very very windy

Went today on the path Laško-Kališče-Storžič-Javornik-Laško.

Up to Kališče almost all dry, last 5 minutes a bit frozen in the forest, but no panic. Up to Bašeljsko sedlo everything was great - snow a bit deeper, but still without winter gear and just with poles. For the ascent from the saddle I put on gear and it starts optimistically, as there was enough snow and it was just right hard that I could follow some previous footprints for about 20 minutes. Then the path becomes steeper and steeper, snow worse and worse.

Need to cross alternating snow fields and dry rocks, so crampons today surely less sharp than yesterday. Top 5cm of snow is southern, under it pure ice. At times I really felt like hanging more on the ice axe than standing on my feet. Where no snow, it's mud, as everything is melting. Really unpleasant experience, strongly advise against this route while conditions are like this.

Last 50m very dry, so took off crampons and continued to the top. Stamp at the top obviously buried somewhere under snow. Descended towards planina Javornik. In this direction snow right from the top fairly hard, but never icy - everything held well. In the gully towards Javornik it soon softens quite a bit and provides good cushioning with every step. Sinks somewhat, but no issues. A bit below Javornik take off crampons, as path to end almost entirely dry. At the traverse back towards Kališče need to cross some icy patches, for which I didn't bother putting on crampons, so helped more with ice axe. Below cca. 1400m practically all dry and not worth mentioning.

Ok super! So reverse direction, for the crossing from VDV and MDV I'll see how it feels live. Thanks everyone