Tomco - Recent messages

All potential users of the ARVA NEO BT PRO beacon model should immediately stop using it and send their device to the manufacturer for inspection!

The manufacturer has announced a “voluntary recall” - namely, there is a possible fault in one of the components due to which the device may stop working during use.

More information here:

https://www.arva-equipment.com/en/content/1488-recall

At ARVA they will check all individual devices and if necessary replace the component at their own expense, including shipping costs.

As a registered user I received the notification directly from the manufacturer and I have already sent my unit to FR. The process was quite clear and simple.

P.S. I made this post because I don't know through what channel the notification would reach a possible user of the device who didn't register and leave their data at ARVA.

Opening of the summer season today on Velika Baba. Starting point zapornica, up via Slovensko and along the secured, descent to Jenkova planina.

Conditions are almost completely dry. Descent across the landslide to the snowfield before entering Slovensko quite unpleasant. In the gully in Slovenska no more snow. Above Slovensko to Ledine need to cross one easy snowfield. To Rudijeva vertikala two shorter snowfields in gullies, both easy. Only on the third smaller snowfield a bit below the summit we used ice axe, but would also go without, with bypass, which would be more difficult though. Why complicate, when the ice axe was exactly for that in the backpack.

As for the tour itself, we were here for the first time and we are thrilled. In the secured path that part with torn cable no longer presents greater difficulty, likewise parts with loose cables do not. Still this ascent is not from flies, much attention needed, especially on crumbly parts.

Ridge of Mala Baba is a true mountain jewel. It is true though, that it probably will not be right for everyone. For my opinion quite comparable with Mrzla Gora. Also from Mala Baba to Jenkova planina the descent is demanding and requires constant concentration. The path itself is beautiful. In parts across numerous larch groves simply fairy-tale.

As far as I am concerned, Velika Baba offers one of the most attractive views that can be experienced; not only in KSA, but in general. Views are especially dramatic now, when northern slopes of mountains still under snow.

Attaching documentation, while enthusiasm still holds me.

Excellent! Thanks for the report

I'm more interested in how to move a black adder from the parking lot?

Celovška špica and Srednja peč, 24.5.2026

Starting point Završnica, ascent via Zagon. During the ascent I missed the left turn towards Kožne and had to return about 100 meters of elevation. The path is otherwise extremely beautiful. The path itself is hard to follow on the steep section in the forest behind the wooden hut. "Now I'm here, now I'm not". For some time I wandered through the forest on my own. The digital map was of great help to save time and quickly return to the right paths.

Celovška špica caught my attention two years ago when we were returning past from Stol back towards Celovška koča, Namely because it is one of the peaks in the famous Orlice ridge that is still accessible to ordinary mortals. And the access is very well described on hribi.net.

On the steep scree towards Celovška špica I had to cross another larger patch of snow, but it was not problematic. The path to the summit is logical. At one point I missed the direction and complicated the ascent with a little acrobatics across the snowy gully. The right direction there would go more to the right, not along this gully. Climbing towards the summit is really nice. On the descent I fix the cairns and make a new one in the place where I missed it on the ascent.

After a snack I head to Srednja peč as well. I didn't find the direction at first, I turned too quickly into the steep slope across rocky terrain (in places climbing grade 1). At one point I had to cross through dwarf pines to a grassy tongue, where the "correct" access goes. On the descent it was clearer where the correct direction goes.

On the descent towards the starting point it seemed to me that from above it is much easier to follow the path... But I still lost it again and strayed onto very unfavorable steep terrain. Again right there somewhere near the wooden hut.

In short, a beautiful fast tour with two off-path peaks and a touch of adventure. Recommended!

Due to windthrow at the beginning of April. I got info on FB that it's not bad. Some tree needs to be bypassed or gone over.

Nice day, nice pictures.

Today's Grintovec.

Conditions excellent if you go early enough. Consolidated snow below Kokrško sedlo started around 1400m. Despite expectations, it held surprisingly well up to Kokrško sedlo; from Kokrško onwards, really nice morning concrete. In between, one section completely crusty. On the roof super, all the way to the last 100 vertical meters (or even less). Probably by then the sun or temperature had just enough transformed the crust. Like snapping fingers, postholing began. And not a little, once I had to dig my leg out with the ice axe . I reached the summit almost on all fours, those last postholing vertical meters really drained me. I started hiking at 04:30 and somehow I feel that if I'd started just half an hour later, I wouldn't have made it to the top. But that's all, otherwise I enjoyed immensely.

On the way back below Kokrško, I was really sorry I didn't have a plastic shovel with me to slide down about 300 vertical meters on the back side. So now my pants are ruined.

Oh, in the morning the sign was still upright, on return it was turned. What that means, I don't know.

Planinecizgg,

maybe you can assess how much rotten snow there is currently for a hiker? Do you think it's still somewhat better in the shade?

Thanks in advance for the info

Excellent, it describes exactly what I was interested in. Thanks!

We'll see what happens with the snow... for now it looks pretty bad with this humidity. I forgot to check the forecasts

Hi.

On Saturday I'm tempted to try Storžič via Peto žrelo. Is there anything special I should consider?

Is the entry very difficult if it's dry?

It shouldn't be too hard, because I'd be taking my better half.

Orientation-wise, I know I need to go another ~150m east from the entrance to Kramarjevo, which I should be able to recognize.

The ostrich has unfortunately gone mushroom picking. Today on a hike from the direction of Hrušica towards Podnanos, we noticed a dead ostrich by the forest road. A bit bizarre, but true. 😮

Here is a picture from 4.4. (I came from the other side). This exact part is not visible because it's behind the corner, but I think it's already dry by now. If not, it's definitely trodden like a highway.

4.4.2026

Viševnik via Western Gully, Mali Draški Vrh and Ablanca.

Pretty good conditions, snow was mostly consolidated throughout the whole tour, especially on the southern slopes.

Start in the dark a little after 5. Opcija was also Gamsova Gully to Ablanca, but it was already visible from afar full of wind-blown snow, so it was discarded without hesitation.

Conditions in Viševnik's Western Gully are super. You can see where the new wind-blown snow is (it's whiter than the old one), otherwise even the new snow on the southern slopes is already hard. Occasionally the ice axe unexpectedly broke through the crust, but almost nowhere was that unpleasant hollow sound that would indicate I was walking over any dangerous slabs.

The gully on MDV is completely icy, snow is processed, no new wind-blown there at all. In places it was so hard that you had to swing the ice axe over your head to sink it sufficiently - which of course seems great to a regular scree hiker.

Descent from Srenjski Pass also completely hard, had to crunch down carefully to Jezerca. Technically the most demanding was the ascent to Ablanca from Studorski Pass. Mixed terrain, various bases, on the flank near the summit under the ridge obvious wind-blown slabs that had to be avoided.

I thought I'd squeeze in Veliki Draški Vrh too, but as soon as I started going up again, I realized I had enough for today. Very poor sleep quickly affects the batteries. Also didn't take full-length pants, in winter ones I'd overheat to the top at this hour.

Around descent time ~12h+- snow still held nicely, only a little sinking down towards Konjščica. Great base for descent and some sliding too.

Almost ideal day in the mountains.

Excellent! Thanks for pic 2, it'll go into memory when this trip finally comes around.

Was there any suspicious snowpack anywhere on the route, given all the wind and the still ongoing 3rd level?