rasto_r - Recent messages

Is there any map on the internet for Italy like Geopedia for Slovenia or Amap (austrianmap) for Austria?

I don't know which group to professionally classify this mountain into, closest according to the data on www.austrianmap.at/amap/ it seems to me it's the Silvretta group. Here in the south, on the border with Switzerland, Piz Buin (3312m) reigns, perhaps better known to "brown tan" hunters than hikers, Hohes Rad is a nice, not too strenuous peak on the border between Tyrol and Vorarlberg.
Starting point is at Bielerhöhe Pass (2037m), reached by toll road from Montafon valley and from the Tyrolean end.
I did a circular route, first along the western shore of Silvretta lake, to Wiesbadener Hütte hut (2443m), over Radsattel pass (2652m) to the summit. Back first to the saddle below the summit and then under the eastern walls back to Silvretta lake.
Western access to the hut is almost a highway - wide path, almost suitable for sandals. Masses of hikers unaccustomed to mountains go there to admire mainly the glaciers under Piz Buin and the source and beautiful initial flow of the Ill river, which first flows to Silvretta reservoir lake, then past Bludenz and Feldkirch to the Rhine, just before its outflow into Lake Constance. There's really no water shortage in this end - but maybe because of that glaciers will soon be in "shortage"!
"Tourists" thin out somewhat on the path to Radsattel, as the ascent is more substantial, nature and path more pristine. Even more mountaineering atmosphere from here on. Path first crosses almost horizontally some snow patches and climbs to the saddle (approx. 2700m). From there to the summit another three quarters of an hour steep ascent, partly easy climbing. Views from the summit, marked with a cross with a large gentian in the middle, are of course expectedly magnificent. To see the part of the lake where the start is, need to do a few more meters north, otherwise Piz Buin reigns south, surrounded by glaciers, all around beautiful views of peaks, valleys, wild waters. Although based on Slovenian hill heights I'm used to it seemed I'd be high above surroundings, I still looked somewhat upward at many peaks.
Descent path to the saddle is less problematic than it seemed going up. Here I headed directly north, where the path was harder to follow and more demanding. Snow patches, screes, shattered reddish iron-filled scree rocks (besides the whole "mess" of other rocks - granite, marble etc.) and roaring water heard from under rocks pump at least some adrenaline through veins - and all hikers disappeared... yeah, here more caution is warranted. Otherwise it seems most despite detour return to Radsattel saddle and descend to valley via more idyllic valley past little Radsee lake.
Although elevation gain isn't that big, path goes somewhat around, so for ascent to summit via hut count about five hours leisurely pace walking. Descent by described route takes approximately two and a half hours.
Definitely extremely nice tour, recommend to anyone hanging around that end.

Snow is only still on the path from the Prešeren hut to the summit (approach from Valvazor). Winter gear is not needed.

There are almost no daffodils above the hut, likewise not towards the Golica summit. But they are full towards the east, towards Suha saddle, below Mala Golica.

From Tržič to Kriška gora the path is completely unproblematic.

Yes, I felt a bit uneasy too, but no panic in the end.

From Rablj you can drive by car up to the buildings on pic 1 - good 100m elevation gain. Gravel road is a bit rough but normally drivable - at least last June. Then that building was occupied by a couple and their dog - he (man, not dog) looked like mix between homeless and military special forces. Dog was a bit scary wolfhound - guard dog but they kept him "back" nicely. You pass by there anyway.

On Saturday there was some snow in the upper part, nothing special. I went from Podgorje, like hundreds of others. Really crowded trail.

Today on Golica from Planina pod Golico. The path is completely spring-like, full of mud, hawkweed is blooming, some daisies can still be found below the summit.

No snow. Neither from this side nor from the other (Presedljaj).

Trail Presedljaj-Konj-Planina Dol is completely dry.

Path 640 from Pecol is normally passable, aids above Vandul ridge flawless. Also path 641 from saddle below summit to Via Alta well marked and nicely followable, just in lower part steep and requires careful steps.

Yesterday idyllic day, perfect for idyllic hike with already somewhat kitschy views, among which north face of Montaž stands out especially. We start at last parking in Zajzera, then past Koča Grego, Jezerca and Rudni vrh to Poldašnja špica (or maybe someone knows how to pronounce Jof di Miezegnot Italian-style). Path in last part under summit quite eroded, steep and very crumbly. Maybe info that path 649 from Bivacco Gemona to Piparj is closed.

If I understand correctly, you recommend single-piece, but one that also has chest part, not just seat. What about comparison plate/sewn rope on self-belay kit?
regards, Rasto

I also plan to get a climbing harness and self-belay kit. But some dilemmas bother me. Single-piece or two-piece harness? Given that I intend to use it on ferratas and with a backpack, it seemed smarter to go for a two-piece. But there are more single-piece in offer... (are there so many more "climbers" than "ferratists" or does single-piece suffice completely?). And today in Iglu they told me that two-piece is practically useless, they recommend single-piece, that (at least I understood it that way) two-piece isn't relevant at all, that only our mountain guides still recommend it...?! Yes, single-piece is probably more comfortable, but I really wouldn't want to break my spine due to wrong loading in case of a fall. What do you recommend?
What about self-belay kit? Plate or sewn rope? In Iglu they also have some action with plate, but is it clearing stock or are both technologies equivalent?
Since (I hope) there won't be need to buy new parts of gear (at least not because of falls), I'd like above all feeling of safety, comfort and ease of use. Can you recommend what to buy?

I find it interesting that in guidebooks descriptions are practically everywhere "from Konj to Presedljaj". Logically it's exactly the opposite of what I would decide based on all logic (up the harder way, down the easier) (most tempting for me is via Orglic to Presedljaj, then to Konj and over Rzenik and Dol to the valley. Or is the favoritism of these descriptions in the reverse direction just because of easier access/less ascent - start at Velika Planina (gondola).

Was up on Saturday. No snow, but quite windy. Interesting was the view of the north face and ridge of Košuta, where scary weather was constantly brewing.