Jernej968 - Recent messages

Where could I find some reliable article or literature or map where the exact borders of the Julian Alps are described? Is the expert community even unanimous about this demarcation and does an exact border even exist?

With my nephew we visited Zagorelec on 3.5.2026.
We started in Zadnja Trenta on the normal path towards the Kanja saddle. Shortly above the Zapotok pasture we stepped onto snow. The compacted snow cover extends further to the Kanjski preval. This northern side of Bavški Grintavec is still completely wintry. Here and there it sinks to the knees, otherwise the snow holds the hiker's weight quite well. Below the Kanjski preval we freely cross the snow fields towards Zagorelec and the Čez Lužo pass. The final approach to Zagorelec is steep. On the return we go along the path towards Špička to the "Nebeške poljane" (Za Razorcem). On this section we crossed some snow-covered gullies. An ice axe is sufficient. We branched off the main path at the end of this beautiful grassy valley (Za Razorcem), where the path rises a bit. At this point the path to Špička gets closest to the Zapotok pasture (air distance). Soon we spotted an abandoned trail, which is not hard to follow as it leads through a nicely passable grassy valley and is directed south. When it reaches the gully, it turns decisively left along the gully towards the pasture (northeast direction). Since the gully was snow-covered and not too steep, we used it nicely for a comfortable descent to the pasture. On the tour we met only chamois and enjoyed a beautiful corner of our Julian Alps.

After many years, I set off for Muzci again (27/28.2.2026). For the first time in winter conditions. Along the well-known path No. 737 from the upper Terska Valley (Valle Musi) past the Dino Brollo bivouac.
Due to the snowy, weather, and avalanche conditions, I wanted to do the solo ascent and descent in the upper part in the morning, so overnighting in the bivouac was obvious.
I started the ascent to the bivouac at sunset. I stepped onto the snow in the characteristic grassy hollow at 1350m elevation. The snow cover quickly reaches a depth of one meter. The upper layer is harder but doesn't support human weight. Beneath it, the snow is soft and wet. Walking to the bivouac through the snow is strenuous and time-consuming. In the forest, the markers were a great help. The red-white marks on tree trunks were nicely visible from afar in the headlamp beam. Above the tree line, there were no more markers, and the landscape was blanketed in thick snow. Fortunately, the bivouac wasn't far, and for the last part I used my Garmin for orientation. The ascent to the bivouac took me 5 hours with all the mishaps. The night was clear but warm. Temperature stayed above zero, but due to radiation and dry air, the snow nicely froze by morning. In the morning, I started before sunrise. From the bivouac onward, the ridge is heavily snow-covered, the scree is entirely under snow, crampons are needed. The lower half of the secured summit path is dry, so I leave the crampons at the start of the secured section. Toward the summit, where the terrain flattens slightly, I encounter snow again. Since the fixed cables are under snow, I dig footsteps with the ice axe. The summit offered exceptional views in all directions. There was no wind, and it would have been nice to sit up here for an hour, but the sun was relentlessly rising and softening the snow. I quickly began the descent. Soon below the bivouac, while traversing, I started sinking up to my waist and repeated the struggles of the previous evening to the characteristic saddle, from where the path begins to descend into the forest. With each step, the relief grew until I stepped onto dry ground again and descended steeply back to the starting point.
Definitely a trip that will stay in my memory for a long time.

Very similar tour as predecessor described, we did yesterday with son, except arrived at High Vrbanova Špica previous evening already. Difference only we descended from Cmir to valley a bit earlier (10 min from top back on marked path). Direction shown by cairns and mainly descends grasses mixed with scree, keep more left to exit scree-field, where step onto usual valley path. If going again, rather choose descent to Vrata, as return to Kot via Požgana Mlinarica seemed too tedious. Not due to extra 250m ascent. Just ridge part took us 3 hours. Path already quite overgrown with brush and serrated overgrown ridge tedious. Descent from ridge to Kot on nice hunting trail though.

Very similar tour as predecessor described, we did yesterday with son, except arrived at High Vrbanova Špica previous evening already. Difference only we descended from Cmir to valley a bit earlier (10 min from top back on marked path). Direction shown by cairns and mainly descends grasses mixed with scree, keep more left to exit scree-field, where step onto usual valley path. If going again, rather choose descent to Vrata, as return to Kot via Požgana Mlinarica seemed too tedious. Not due to extra 250m ascent. Just ridge part took us 3 hours. Path already quite overgrown with brush and serrated overgrown ridge tedious. Descent from ridge to Kot on nice hunting trail though.

Visited Trentski Pelc with a colleague this Sunday, 1.6.2025. Start at Berebica gallery and return the same way back.
Forecasted southwest wind motivated me to plan summit arrival earlier. We biked to the end of the military road. The road is in excellent condition, quite friendly even to bikes with smoother tire profiles. A bit rougher only at the very beginning. The trail ahead from the hunting hut to the entry gully above the scree is quite flagged and mostly normally followable. The trace breaks under the scree itself, where you continue straight to the snow patch left of the scree and climb over it to steep grass, where we spot flagged footsteps again. There the trace turns right and in a few minutes we're at the entry gully. The gully is dry and normally passable. The rock step below the summit is fully dry too.
On the return we visited local Lojze, who rejoices every good-willed person the path brings to these remote Trenta peaks.

I know this isn't some language corner, but these famous "le laste" remind me of our "lašte", which mean rock ledges. Coincidence? Mountaineer and linguist Dr. Henrik Tuma discovered many Slovenian (Slavic) toponyms in the wider Alpine area even far from current Slovenian language area.
I myself walked these lašte on Antelao still before the rockfall, when they were still intact, but no less steep. Also Bivacco Piero Cosi (3111m), where I slept, is no more. When reading all these descriptions, I'm tempted to visit Antelao again.

In the valley below the bivouac, at around 2000m altitude, there are various remains, including a bomb (in the picture). Maybe someone knows the historical events around it?

Yesterday did a loop tour from Rudno polje over Kačji rob to Srenjski Pass, descent to Jezerca and back to start. Snow on path starts at 1600m, then snow depth increases with elevation. Snow is more south-facing and soft. At 1800m one sinks 30 cm deep when walking. On last slope below pass one sinks up to over the knees. From steep south slopes of Mali Draški vrh smaller slides still releasing, main mass slid right after snowfall.

Lijaneja, I agree. Even just with dirty pants it would work.

With son we climbed to the top on 27.7.2024 via Kotovo sedlo, descended via Jalovška škrbina back to Tamar. Path via Kotovo sedlo is pure pleasure. Varied, in interesting setting, with views and climbing addition in upper part. Path is fully dry. Descent to Jalovška škrbina without issues. Just couple easy steps on snow. Secured section from Jalovška škrbina to glacier is officially closed. Right at the end, just before exit from wall to scree there is one pulled peg, making safe exit difficult. Need some free climbing. Additional issue is snow in glacier to cross, as secured path continues along opposite glacier wall. Snow height here currently over 3m, narrowest point around 1m width. We made to other side through natural tunnel under snow with ice axes. Crampons not needed. Descent continuation on known scree back past Dom in Tamar and on to ski jumps.

Congratulations to Heavy bull for the completed tour, especially for the vivid depiction of key passages. With my son we climbed the described path on 11.5.2024 only to Srebrnjak (and back the same way - see Srebrnjak forum). But at the salt lick we chose the right direction, which leads to steep slopes. In photo 9 you show the left variant and I'm curious if it's any easier than the right one.

These solitary corners of the Julian Alps attracted me too. I did the tour on 18/19.6.2024. I ascended to Strma peč from the Dunja valley, descended to Planina Pecol. I overnighted in the CAI Cividale bivouac. I forded the Dunja stream a bit higher than the former bridge - water about knee-deep. The path through the beech forest to the bivouac is very steep, tree markings are very helpful as the trail itself is often obscured by leaves. Not many people go up there lately. No need to carry water to the bivouac (900m elevation gain!), there's a spring 2 minutes before it that turns into a real stream at this time. Further on towards the start of the via ferrata you cross several streams, not sure if there's water there constantly through summer. The bivouac is excellently maintained, cushions comfortable. The last and only entry this year was a month ago. In 2023 there were only 10 entries, most didn't overnight.
The path from bivouac to the start of Norina was the most demanding part for me. The path is hard to follow in places, markings sparse. Had to cross two large snowfields, snow requires winter gear. The hardest part of the via ferrata for me was the initial vertical wall without proper footholds, especially in winter boots. Then it becomes more ladylike, with pegs and chiselled steps. Views into the depths and the nearby Zabuš wall are breathtaking. The grassy plateaus on the south side are full of flowers and the ascent to the top of Strma peč was pure relaxation. Return via Vandul notch to Pecol, where my bike waited in the forest. Rode it down Reklanska valley to Kluž and past Dunja to the car.
A tour that leaves a strong impression.

From today daily parking at Aljažev dom is 25 eur/day. Authorities justify it with free bus to Vrata valley in summer season from 15.6. to 15.9.
What about outside that season, no bus? How much will parking be then?

Yesterday (11.5.2024) my son and I did a spring ascent to Srebrnjak. Tips from previous posts on this forum were a great help to us, so thanks everyone for the descriptions.
We left the road at the "famous" 20th hairpin and tried to follow the path through the forest as long as possible, then up along the left edge of the scree to a transverse hunting trail that brought us to the saddle at Česnu (or whatever the real name is there), where we startled a herd of chamois. From here the ascent becomes more interesting, as there are no orientation points on the horizon, and the summit isn't visible from here due to the steep slopes. Then we ascended in Trent style slightly to the right and up. To our right there was a distinct gully. On this section the steepness was the greatest on the whole route. Then higher we climbed left to a nice panoramic saddle (height around 1700m). From there we spotted the scene from the first of the three photos by user dprapr (13.8.2013) and somehow followed the suggested direction. This brought us to the second panoramic saddle at 1860m. From there the nice grassy ramp was already clearly visible, starting around 1950m and nicely directing towards the summit. The path was dry throughout, the grass dry. The grassy slopes are adorned with gentians, marmots and other blue and yellow flowers.
The day was sunny, occasionally clouds covered the sun, but they were above the Julian peaks. The views from Srebrnjak are so beautiful that you don't easily decide to descend back to the valley. As if you're in the center of the Julian Alps. The stunning view across the north face gives a sense of pure verticality.
We descended the way we ascended. The ice axe was very useful on the way back in those steep sections. It's probably unnecessary to emphasize that we didn't meet a soul. Even on the main road in the Trenta valley there was very little traffic.

I also don't think it's right that someone on their own whim demolishes/changes historical remains. Obviously the demolition of the object was in someone's interest, otherwise I can't imagine they would allow one individual to do it.