keber1 - Recent messages

Let this thread be for advice on repairing general mountaineering equipment.

So to start: On a trip the top connecting strap tore next to the shoulder strap, which connects both shoulder straps of the backpack (it's a bit worn out, but still good enough). Who to give it to repair in the LJ area?

Still hikers like to throw a plastic bottle or a can into the bushes (or not even that far), because after carrying it full the whole path, it's just too much to deliver the empty one to the valley. Just pigs, yuck and shame.

I'm wondering, do others ever clean up larger stuff for others? For example today on Kriška gora I picked up a large plastic bottle thrown among the spruces and cans next to the path. I had the feeling they weren't thrown just today, and quite a few people passed by them who "didn't see" them (at the top there are several containers for packaging available). I seriously feel that people "don't see" trash because it's not their concern, this was confirmed for me also when this year along the path to Kamniško sedlo I picked up an empty motor oil can next to the path, which had been lying there since the previous year (based on the imprint in the ground), and no one "managed" to notice it.

Interesting that the first ascent of Storžič or Grintovec is even known. Both peaks don't seem technically demanding on the easiest routes, so that no one would have attempted them before. Or did people before that time not even think of going so high into the mountains?

This is similar to what they did in the past to the Jezero pasture and Dedno polje and to Krstenica pasture. They started maintaining the path or road already at the end of summer.

However, I see this as a possibility for mountain biking to these pastures, which would be very welcome.

Well, I've eaten ričet and jota of all sorts, from phenomenal to horribly watery without taste.
As for Italy and food break I know well, when I arrived literally starving at Auronzo hut, which midweek gets couple buses of people per hour, thinking now nice snack, then find out they have only one sandwich left, as they serve again after six pm. Well that sandwich the one before me took. Well, since then this dumbest siesta in the world imprinted in my memory and so for Dolomites I always carry bunch of protein bars (since I don't eat sandwiches), lest total hunger grabs me again at wrong time.

So much talk about prices in Italy, but VanSims forgot the most important: In Italy you don't get food except sandwiches between 3 and 6 pm (plus minus hour), not even in the busiest mountain huts like say Tre Cime. Otherwise food in these huts quality-wise usually at least one level, better two, above ours, often at level of better restaurants at home. We pound ričet, jota. And how homemade sausage.

@Apolonija - that "Greek" svišč was the only one I've seen anywhere (and there weren't few). Could be some mutation too, it happens. But it was really nice, hope something comes of it in the future.

Just back from Dolomites, lots of flowers there, mostly similar to ours (fewer sorts), but one unique phenomenally beautiful specimen really caught the eye. What kind of gentian is this?

Today it was blowing hard on the Ridge, that without crampons someone could be knocked over (and blown away). Also very hard snow near the top, partly icy. With four-wheel drive no problem to the lower cable car station.
Otherwise nice day.

And here's a nice video I put together of how clouds race in current weather deterioration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5PM6A2FDXI

Today I visited Debeli vrh, the weather was sunny all the time (as forecast for this end of Julijci). No snow on the path from Planina Laz. But I reached only the forepeak, as the southwest wind blew so strongly that it didn't feel safe to continue to the main summit; it was occasionally pushing me around and I'm not weak. On the path to Planina Krstenica below Lazovski preval there is still quite some frozen snow requiring considerable caution.

Regardless of which side manch goes up in winter, none is for small crampons and poles. Without ice axe definitely on no route.

On Monday, the last warm autumn day this year, I headed to Tolsta Košuta, with a stop at Košutnikov Turn to watch the sunset, which is the best from there IMHO.
The path had no issues; on top, in no wind and a fairly warm evening, I really enjoyed the fantastic show of a sea of clouds and mist in the valley and the setting sun above them. Besides some pics, also a video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufcj-MfAKQI

This is how it was on Saturday towards Razor: the path to Pogačnikov dom from Zadnjica is now completely dry, towards Razor there are still some snow fields, some quite steep with exposed drop-offs, so ice axe is still obligatory (and many visitors didn't have it). The new via ferrata on Razor is in good condition, but I didn't dare climb it without a via ferrata set, the belly in the middle of the not so high wall is quite exposed.
As seen from Pogačnikov dom, the access to Stenar is also quite snowy, to Pihavec the path is closed due to a large landslide. From Prisojnik side also several large and steep snow fields. In general, there's still huge amounts of snow in this part of Julijci, even most of lower Kriško lake is under snow.

We were there three weeks ago. There was still some snow then, but it's probably mostly melted by now, and even then the path could be hiked without issues without winter gear (except Averau, where the via ferrata goes on the north side).
Otherwise they had more snow in the Dolomites than here (e.g. at nearby Passo Giau total 12.5 meters), and it caused them quite some trouble, but melts faster for that reason.

I photographed it at the same location last year at the same time (page 50 of this thread). But there are only a few plants there altogether.

I've hugged the toilet bowl even from sandwiches from the backpack, so really no rule about it.