levak - Recent messages

Hi!

This year we went on a trekking trip to the Norwegian gems, the Lofoten Islands. Excellent trekking, the landscape around us was even better, taking care of our always smiling faces... So I won't ramble on, best to check the photos and my thoughts on the blog...

Part 1: Arrival and Monkebu hut

Part 2: A, Reine and white sandy beach Horseid

For now 2 parts, others I'll add as they're written.

Best, Matej

Hi!

I'm thinking about buying some winter pants. They suit me perfectly in everything, only this bothers me, that they don't have inner gaiters. Is there anyone in Slovenia who could sew one gaiter for me and then seal the seams so water wouldn't get through. And do it well, because the pants aren't exactly cheap

Thanks for the info, Matej

The path further towards Cjanovca and Srednji vrh is better! But I recommend at least small crampons, as there's hard ground in the forest and occasional ice where you can slip quickly and get hurt.

A bit beyond the pasture there's snow, but only about 10-15cm.

Matej

Hi!

Given that some fresh snow has fallen and the avalanche danger has risen to 3, how safe is the ascent to Kredarica? Does the path go through avalanche-prone terrain or do avalanches generally bypass the path?

MAtej

Wow damn, that's a rainbow Well, after the Lofotens we headed straight to Oslo and then home. Svartisen tongues and Trolltunga are 2 frequently visited spots of mine, but I didn't see them this year. Probably next year if the path leads there...

About Ryanair: YAY! Good news, hope the line activates as soon as possible, as I'm planning Norway again in February...

And along the way 2 more posts:
Trekking – Lofoti 2011 – around Agvatnet lake and Stokkvika pass

Trekking – Lofoti 2011 – return and Oslo

Tomorrow there will also be a post about costs and some useful links and the trip conclusion is here

Best regards and thanks for reading, Matej

Two new parts:

Around the bay towards Leknes

Leknes

Matej

Two more new parts:

Part 3: Towards Selfjorden bay

Part 4: 20km walk, battle with wind and first shop

Ania:
Uff, enjoy it I'd like such a job too Well, next year I'm going to study, it'll be fine too

You went there via Kiel. How much does the ferry from Kiel cost? I've always gone to Puttgarden, Denmark, ferry to Sweden and then to Norway, but yes, you have to drive 24 hours instead of sleeping half the way on the ferry. Regarding radars, don't talk, good that I have GPS, otherwise I'd probably be bankrupt already (by the way, the highest fine issued for an offense was 150,000€:O).

Do you perhaps know the price of the cabins? In summer they're not needed, but I'm thinking of going in March to ski and climb a bit, given that there's a plane from Venice to Oslo.

I wish you lots more enjoyment in this wonderful country. It's gotten under my skin so much that I have to go up there every year.

Odri: That it's expensive is more of an urban myth It depends a lot on the person going there. If you like to be fancy, sleep in hotels/apartments, eat out,... then it's expensive as saffron. If you like to camp in the open (it's allowed there), sleep by lakes/glaciers/mountains/fjords, live on cans, pasta and occasionally some treat, then it can be much cheaper. For me it's around 1000€ every year for 6 weeks. If you're interested, check out the post "Pod črto" on my blog Zunaj.si.

lp, Matej

Ufff ufff fff.. Now we're jealous I'd go too!!! Every year driving to Finse I look at those wonderful mountains and wish to be there once in winter. You could ski in Finse in summer too if early enough but always no space for skis

Is the town below you Geilo?
Did you go by car?
Where to sleep in winter, rented room or car/tent?
How's daylight this time? Summer no light problem
Will you go higher somewhere? Møre og Romsdal and area, more mountains maybe better for skiing?

Enjoy, Matej

No details yet, but probably (at least judging by this year's trend) they were again inadequately equipped for such conditions. At least I can't explain the long search otherwise. If the girl had had an airbag, they would probably have found her much faster, probably even alive...
Do people really value themselves so little that they're reluctant to spend 300€ on an airbag?
It's not a small amount of money, but it's about life?

People, take better care of yourselves. Equip yourselves properly for such conditions if you insist on going to the mountains in the snow!!!! And not just strap an airbag around your body and think you're safe now. GRS organizes free mountain movement courses every year, but compared to the number of people I meet in the mountains in winter, the participation is disproportionately low... And then we read about avalanches and victims

Matej

My gear this winter is usually like this:

- Kraft shirt (not x-warm, regular warm)
- Kraft pants
- Ski pants (usually too hot, but don't have thinner)
- Goretex hardshell jacket (really thin, just goretex no insulation)

For up it's usually enough, for down while skiing it also gets hot and suffices. Still always have fleece, hat, gloves in backpack.

I also sweat quite a bit going up and kraft and jacket get wet, but when I stop it dries in 5-10 mins.

Congrats on extreme feat! Can't even imagine how one feels after such path

Anyway wish you many more such and other feats.

Matej

Hi!

I've ridden the track you mention several times.

Actually there are several paths that split and join again along the whole track. But basically the main track is well visible and you can't miss it. I won't say the path is easy, because it isn't. Upper part is pretty tough, especially when conditions aren't good (read, path not dry). But you can ride it, even with hardtail (if no suspension rear). Sometimes I did it with hardtail and 80mm fork front, last week with full suspension bike and 150mm front/rear and gotta say difference is huge. Mainly you enjoy more and work less smile. No, best to try it. Worst case you walk smile

How to get to the path?
At upper gondola station ride bit lower, where ratrack garages are. Cross that parking and look left. Somewhere you'll see hiking sign pointing to forest. That's it smile

Best check map on my blog: http://www.zunaj.si/2009/09/krvavec-in-padci/

If more questions, write here or to matej at zunaj.si

cheers, Matej

The path to Blegoš is excellent. You can reach Črni Kal with good winter tires, tracks are made. If someone comes towards you, then it's over, you'll have to go far back and try again. Otherwise the path to Blegoš is well trodden, I went on skis. Around 12 it was already nice southern, and snow was braking skis quite a bit. Descent was excellent, about 5cm southern snow, below hard base.

Here just from Viševnik. As previous said snow from lift on somewhat softer spots but soon hard. Up ridge hard icy places. Not pleasant for skiing. Gotta wait for some fresh snow.