KeyserSoze - Recent messages

Sunday, 6.6.

Ascent to Grintovec, via Streha.
To the hut without special features, after a few minutes break at Cojzova hut then towards the summit. Before Streha there are still a few snow patches, towards the summit more and more.
Winter gear was in the backpack, but I didn't use it-instead of on snow you can climb on rocks next to the snowfields right to the top.

After a few views back to the valley. Where there's snow, you can slide down, or 'ski down'.
If you follow this description-tip for descent, carefully.

From summit to valley 2 hours.

The whole tour is really super, again in a while, but via another (e.g. via Kokrsko and Mlinarsko sedlo) route.

regards

Friday, 30.4
Ascent to Stol. At the hut the master was preparing everything for the bonfire… By road, through the forest to the scree without issues. At the bench snow starts for real, in late morning hours already quite 'south', trodden but still sinks. And so to the top. (I had crampons on for easier walking...). On top it was windy… But then all the nicer back to the valley. To the bench (maybe further…) you can run down the snowfield without problem (gaiters), then to the hut same path as up. Just before the hut (20m) met a viper; it crossed the road too fast to photo.
Cheers

Wednesday, 28.4
Ascent to Storžič through Žrelo. Conditions excellent, sun, good crust. On certain sections of Žrelo there is still plenty of snow (ice underneath), extra careful here, without crampons + ice axe no way, not smart to be too bold… After reaching the top of Žrelo, then 'along the summits' (no major issues, except caution/attention due to exposure) to Storžič summit. To the valley via easier path (right after the cross to the right, I think it's called Škarjev Rob), … here really still very much snow, gaiters very useful. With the time already around 14:00, so sinking nicely, although the lower part of the path can be run.
Hut still not open, from around 15.6, the caretaker was there by chance.
lp

On Friday my colleague and I headed for Mangart. We decided to go to the saddle by bikes. We started a bit higher than Log; ascent no big deal, full backpack with all gear, fitness solid, weather super...
Halfway-ish you can stock up on cold water which helps later. After the road we tied the bikes to a sign at the saddle and went up the Slovenian route. Path well kept, protections perfect, some small snow patches whole way. We progressed fast, then sudden stone barrage (30+), on exposed part. Z...... sound as stones whiz by. Quickly we 'hugged' the wall and waited to calm. Group above caused stones, met them only at top. Met one descending same way no helmet. Short stop at top (some clouds already)) then Italian route to saddle. Path not hard but slippery risk. At ferrata end met 2 who just did it ok. They say they'll soon fix piton and missing cable (now rope).
Bikes still at saddle on return, we soon in valley.

On Saturday we set off with friends to Krn. Weather super, snowcap... We decided for the Silva Korena path; we started a bit above Drežnica. Soon we reached the bivouac (empty), 15 minutes later already before the wall. After crossing the snowfield, the first cables are already waiting. The whole path is one of the nicer, more varied ones in our mountains. We quickly advanced on the well-arranged aids (pegs + cables), and after the fine two ladders reached Gomišček shelter. From there just a couple of steps to the top. At the top sun, but the even better views were already spoiled by clouds on the neighboring mountains. To the valley we went in fast walk, run via the southern path. The look back to the top revealed already quite a big 'cap' on Krn, as is typical for these parts (the day before it was similar), so it's really worth going as soon as possible!

In the valley I recommend Nadiža and beer...

Hello!

Yesterday I was at Skrlatica (from Vrata). Conditions really excellent, 'šajba' clean. There is still lots of snow in the mountains; on the path to Skrlatica there are several snow patches, in yesterday's conditions ice axe and crampons were not needed, snow soft, on the descent snow patches can be safely 'ski-skated' (but in any case I recommend ice axe and crampons in the backpack; just in case, safety first!).

@bospav&grom: bivouac was half empty, previous day 5 people slept; if anyone plans to sleep: you only need a sleeping bag, candle, lighter.

Good luck!
Best regards,

@žl 'I think that with grandpa and grandma it really wasn't said in a negative sense. I understood it as complimentary and joyful.'
-exactly

@ana: hey hey hey, it'll be better

regards,

Yesterday at 6 am I left from Lj. I aimed for Špik (book author's note goes something like: Whoever doesn't step on Špik, I don't consider a real mountaineer.)
Parked car at the bend on the way to Vršič. Decided for approach via Gruntovnica - reached top without major issues (except that I met 75+!!!! year old couple - not kidding -, who enthusiastically told me some 'stories' and infos...). Ascent not steep, but all the more tiring. Well, after half-hour break at top I headed back to valley. Just below top met 'grandpa and grandma' once - they really went to top, thumbs up, after short talk then down Kačji graben to valley. Caution needed in forest part, quite good slope and slippery. A bit before goal relief - cold water (really recommend taking lots of water, I ran out...) Whole trip took me 5 hours; down a good hour and a half.

@ggombo1: I had ice axe and crampons. Didn't really need them; some others had crampons up, seemed too slow to me if you take crampons up. And not safer either - sinks so much anyway,... Just advise go earlier than me, snow harder. Anyway take ice axe crampons with you then see how it is.
Otherwise reach Vršič no problem by car; tho think this year last time by car to Vršič; from now park in Kranjska Gora and rather bike uplp

Hi; today I was on Mala Mojstrovka, south route; started around 9 from Vršič. On the initial part, on the scree, snow was already from the south, so it sank in nicely; footprints (steps) from predecessors helped. And so somehow to the saddle. From there onward to the top the snow was more compact and I progressed much faster. On top great; panoramic view in all directions without clouds . Back to the saddle I ran, on the scree it more or less worked. All together 2.5 hours.
PS. Met lots of ski tourers and boarders; snow is plentiful, worth going. LP

@smrekow; better to skate, it'll be better for you than doing stupid things (though I don't believe your story anyway...). lp.sas

Hi; on Sunday my mate and I headed for Jalovec. We left the car at Planica; and set off. Already at the pitstop (read tea) at the Tamar hut they warned us that the previous evening a big avalanche came down from the saddle and conditions were not exactly good. But since it was a nice sunny day, we decided to try anyway. Already after about half an hour's walk from the hut avalanches started from both 'left and right', besides the snow started sinking nicely - given that there were no tracks ahead of us... Well, soon after we reached the foot below the saddle and persisted to about halfway, where it was sinking even 'over the knee'; and finally turned back amid constant avalanches (ice axe and crampons help nothing),... On the way back we met a couple of 'skiers and boarders', who soon also turned (skied down) into the valley... Despite the unconquered goal the trip was really super, Jalovec will have to wait a bit more. 'It won't go anywhere' cheers

Yesterday my colleague and I headed to Storžič; we took the path through Žrelo. The path is completely snow-covered (north face), higher up completely icy, so it was quite interesting, the slope is really wild. Without crampons, ice axe, helmet I don't recommend ascent at all!!! (ice axe comes in handy on the upper - icy part - across short wall) When we somehow crawled (even on all fours) to the pass, the path ahead to the goal was really enjoyable... full sun at the top. We returned via eastern direction. All together 5 and a half hours.
lp.sas