noteko - Recent messages

For now, a little.

Today to Snežnik from Leskova valley, as road ahead not drivable (ice on road). Some snow left, plenty in forest. Went ski touring route, followed one on snowshoes and probably @pz on skis. Both there at least 10 days ago. Snow held my weight, though some issues above treeline, snow before last north slope doesn't cover dwarf pines (no idea how skiable there). North slope via left side or fairly direct. North wall frozen, icy, crampons essential.
Hike from Leskova to top 2h45 if really pushing, descent much less.
Still winter
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Today just before sunset.

Last December almost no snow...fell only after new year. True that this winter already quite some, but that it took away...

Completely dry. No sign or sound of winter.

Interesting how little snow from Sviščaki. From Leskova dolina side snow starts already at 950 m above sea level, there 20 cm, higher quite over 1.5 m.

Yesterday on Snežnik from Leskova valley via Gašperjev hrib. Weather as typical for Snežnik - changeable, as fog already gathered around the summit in the morning, which didn't want to dissipate, but not too dense - visibility around 40-50m, below the forest line even the sun showed up, lower it was a really nice day. We went with snowshoes and made a nice track, which will at least sink under Gašperjev hrib, as current temperatures are (too) high. Again we met a couple of roe deer and followed the bear all the way, whose tracks sank deeply. Total up and down good 6 and a half hours plus stop on top.
Below the summit crampons were really useful too, as it was quite icy.

I never said there are no bears, as we walked about a kilometer on the tracks of the brown shaggy one who wandered around here a day earlier. I just say we didn't see it then.

I don't know what happened but maybe those two went along forest track that branches off good two km and leaves path from Leskova dolina because we met no living soul except two roe deer. In Leskova dolina we were just before 14.30 and no one there.

Yesterday with a friend we ascended Snežnik from Leskova dolina. We decided to try reaching summit via Gašperjev hrib. Since weather forecast not most favorable we were at start in Leskova dolina at 6.00. Since friend doesn't ski much we went on foot hoping snow wouldn't sink too deep. Indeed from start to good 2km we followed tracks of ski tourers and some snowshoer which were quite old. From second km tracks disappeared as predecessors went up Snežnik other path not via Gašperjev hrib like us. So had to blaze own trail. Trailblazing extremely tiring as ice crust on snow very thin mostly sinking to knees and even waist though we're lighter hikers. After 3h reached Gašperjev hrib where snow finally held weight somewhat no more sinking. Continued bit faster but dense fog appeared not hindering much. At 1700m conditions worsened visibility to 15m light snow strong wind from sea. Summit in 4h 30min then quick descent as conditions not rosy. Descent another 3h 30min in very wet snow as lower sirocco did its. Total over 22km tired but satisfied first this winter this ascent from Leskova dolina via Gašperjev hrib no one gone that way almost two months.

Snežnik definitely not, as more snow and thick fog are expected, which extremely hinders orientation there, besides the hut is closed according to my info.

Here at this address you have 38 pages of opinions about and experiences of 405 users. And happy reading http://www.tekaskiforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=8267

I have it myself. I wouldn't list the positive features, there are lots of them, the only minus at least for me personally is the autonomy of the watch which lasts only 8 hours, other things, I use the watch for running, mountain running and hiking in mountains and sometimes cycling too, have satisfied me.

In nice, sunny weather, even beginners can summit Snežnik in winter, as the path from Sviščaki is always well-visited and trodden, allowing an easy winter ascent, of course with proper footwear and crampons and necessary caution due to possible slips in the last part below the hut.

From Loška dolina it's a completely different story, as you have to start already from Leskova dolina, which is 9km or 1.5h - 2h extra walking away from the usual summer starting point, i.e. Gašperjev hrib, depending on conditions and individual fitness. From Gašperjev hrib to the summit at least another 1h of fast ascent. Currently the path is deeply snow-covered and you need to allow at least 6-7h for the tour plus drive to Leskova dolina.

By the way, the altitude deviation on this Garmin in clear is up to +/- 10m.

I use Garmin 405 myself. It works by connecting to the satellite. Basically I use the watch for training, but when I go to a hill or mountain I always take it with me.
Surprisingly the watch shows altitude quite accurately. As an example, on top of Snežnik (1796m) it has shown me from 1793m-1800m in many tests. That seems quite accurate to me.
Problem arises at slope incline, here deviations are larger and measurement often inaccurate.
It also has GPS. I use it mainly in winter, when a lot of snow falls in the mountains and the landscape is completely different, so I have many tracks stored in the watch itself that I recorded in winter and they help me on winter ascents so I don't stray from the path.
But the watch is not exactly cheap, mostly around 300 EUR on shelves.
I'm quite satisfied with it, only missing air temperature.