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.

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?

I wasn't judging you, just to avoid misunderstanding. Of course I would have turned back if it wasn't safe. I just added my fresh experience, which shows your case in quite a positive light. And about that mountaineer. Yeah, it was obvious he's "at home" on Storžič. Everyone knows for themselves and everything is OK - as long as everything is OK...

Interesting report.

Regarding the accidentally forgotten equipment... For the sake of the post, it's good that you didn't write about what you didn't have, but otherwise no worries ... On Friday during the ascent on the eastern ridge, one guy overtook me so fast that everything was smoking behind him - without crampons, ice axe, helmet, backpack ... I didn't see poles either. I'd say a local, as he confirmed that he made the track the day before. I believe someone here knows him. I've already met him for the second time on this path.

Although I admit I felt a bit silly when he overtook me like that, me slowly going up with full gear , there were some nice steep slopes that I personally wouldn't even glance at without crampons and ice axe. A slip down would be looooong... And he just up and down Storžič like that

Anyway, I stick to my opinion - better one more piece of gear.

Today my first winter Storžič. From the Kališče direction up and down, starting point Bašelj.

Until winter Storžič I nurtured a lot of fear-respect, so before today's tour I wasn't entirely indifferent. Namely, during the last snowfall on Monday and Wednesday, although sparse, a strong north wind was blowing, building cornices on the southern slopes. So I was worried about how much windslab snow there would be on the southern flanks below the ridge, where you have to traverse. I set myself on a 50-50% chance of turning back if I didn't like it. In the end, no crisis. Conditions are mixed, but generally I'd say they're good. On the north side, the new snow is already quite icy and holds super; on the south, you need to be more careful right now. It also helped that it was already freshly trodden since yesterday. The route is smartly laid out at key points - over wind-scoured rocks, right above the flanks where you can see the wind-blown snow. Up before the summit it's hard and frozen.

At the end, also to Bašeljski vrh. That western slope was super today, hard as concrete; before the summit there were a couple of steep meters ideal for a bit more picking with the ice axe.

For the first time very satisfied. I'll come again.

LG, where is this water on pic. 12? It's not known to me. Is it from the direction below Migovec towards Kal?

Wow, congratulations. Picture 5 - adrenaline

@rensul: Ha, we've met again... I didn't realize that was the "gentleman from Vrtača Ridge" 😄