Benjamin - Recent messages

A bit late reporting on conditions from Wednesday when I was on the mentioned route. Just below Kriška stena there's a fairly steep snowfield needing caution on entry, otherwise higher up no snow, just reckon on a bit more fine gravel that winter left on the path or steps. Križ and Stenar normally accessible, well, we cool our feet a bit more in short snowfield to Stenar. Lower K. lake snow-free, uppers still quite some ice or snow. Path to Planja saddle normally passable, but warning on Razor. Two hikers headed there turned back soon after entry snowfields. From Planja path looked poorly visible (covered with scree and fine stones), so recommend utmost caution or even postpone Razor route at least a week till snow on path melts, some new reporter from there will show up. Path from Planja saddle to Vršič initially partly snow covered, esp one part (ca 7m) quite steep requiring max caution. Lower part still some snow to bypass in middle section between wall and snow. From Otožni mož to Vršič path BP, just good sun protection needed as path on Prisank south slope very sun-exposed. Whoever is interested in Hanzova pot entry on Prisank count on shower, else I'd say Hanzova still impassable due to steep snowfields in gullies, definitely not without helmet, ice axe, crampons! Good luck!

I'm interested in how much walking there is for the loop via Luknja, BG and PD back to Vrata? Is there maybe somewhere else dangerous due to snow? Thanks.

Thanks to Volku and Kopronu for the info. I made good use of the hunting path, and it's even more interesting than the marked one on KS.

Yes, on Saturday I went along the hunting path towards Bosova grapa and then up to the top of Brana along it. The path is extremely scenic, especially the southern ridge from the top of the gully to the summit. Extremely, and about the surprise on the way back over Kamniško sedlo I won't even speak. I met a mouflon, which I saw for the first time (in nature), even though I've been hiking our peaks for about 20 years. Definitely a nice circular tour.

From Planja saddle towards Vršič descended about 14 days ago and snow could be bypassed, so shouldn't be problem now either, probably already cleared. Good luck!

Yes, it's quite steep over BG, on the section about 30 min below the summit, when the view towards Vrata appears, you need to stick to the left path (marked), as the right ledge leads directly above the sheer walls above Vrata. So you need to stick to the left path. In this part on the left we see Pihavec, a bit higher occasionally, on the top more and more looking to the opposite side towards Sovatna and Stenar, but here I think you can follow the markings nicely. The markers are surely diligent, but you can't do everything at once, it would be even more inappropriate if every other rock had a white-red mark. We have to manage a bit in nature to follow...

Yesterday (25.06.2008) my wife and I were on Bovški Gamsovec, extended to Pogačnikov dom which is unfortunately still closed. The upper two lakes are still under snow or ice. Otherwise nice path, full of chamois under Pihavec and Gamsovec, not to mention the flowers. Highly recommend, but carefully! Also over Sovatna there are still two snowfields that are quite "tricky" to cross.

On Wednesday afternoon I was on Dolgi hrbet and Grintovec and there were no snow problems on that path. I think it'll be fine from Suhadolnik too. Personally, I find the one via Taško more interesting, as the path to Kokrsko sedlo from Konec drags on and is a bit boring to me. But that's just my opinion. Surely many like the one from KB, and it's even more accessible by car. At least for central Slovenia.
Good luck! And as early as possible! Mornings in the mountains are very beautiful, and we avoid thunderstorms.