Report from the Slovenian Mountain Trail 2013
During the run on the Slovenian Mountain Trail, many friends helped me as co-runners – carriers of food and drink – so-called sherpas. Honestly, without you I certainly wouldn't have progressed so fast and safely on the trail. You were my guardian angels on the way, when the pace wasn't too hard, we joked around and the kilometers flew by faster. I didn't expect that on the 640 km long trail I wouldn't have to be alone for even one meter, you ran beside me all the time and cared for me like a baby. So you are largely responsible for my success. Sincere thanks once again to all!!!
August 15
It started at 6am in Radvanja near Maribor at the sign marking the start of SPP. A large group of runners gathered, brought by Igor Šalamun. Together we bit into the steep climb of Pohorje after a short flat. My main sherpa across the entire Pohorje was Toni Vencelj. After 7.5 hours of quite fast pace we arrived in Slovenj Gradec. After a short stop, Bojan Ambrožič took over as sherpa. Toni extended on his own wish, but I think he regretted it soon. But he didn't give up and together we arrived via Uršlja gora to Smrekovec. After a short refreshment and 12.5 hours of running, Jure Čebašek accompanied me from there. At night with lights we descended via Raduha to Robanov kot.
August 16
In Robanov kot, Špela Zupan was waiting for us and since I was quite exhausted, I took a short break, then continued with her to Kocbekov dom on Korošica, which we reached at 5:15. Severe fatigue set in, so I slept for about two and a half hours. After breakfast, reborn with Špela, we continued the ascent to Ojstrica. At the top, Anže Šenk and Marko Šubic were already waiting. Together we continued to Kamniško sedlo. After refreshment in the hut, Špela left us, we continued via Skuta, Kokrško sedlo, Grintovec and Jezerska Kočna to Češka koča. After a warm welcome and goulash refreshment, we descended to Jezersko, where my dear Katarina and the Papežs from KGT Papež awaited us (apparently I had already escaped them twice before due to fast pace). From there to Kališče, Žan Karničar accompanied me, we arrived just before 9pm. Due to the hustle in the hut, I couldn't sleep until half past midnight.
August 17
A few minutes past 4am, Metod and Gašper Bregar joined me. At 5am we were already on Storžič. Metod said goodbye due to work, with Gašper we continued and in an hour we were at Dom pod Storžičem. There Uroš Rozman joined us and we continued to Tolsti vrh, Kriška gora and descended to Tržič, where Katarina waited with refreshment. Gašper said goodbye, Luka Mihelič joined. Soon we were at Dobrča, where we refreshed in an extremely friendly atmosphere, Bojan Ambrožič joined. We continued to planina Prevala, where Žiga Klemše joined, and via Roblek and Begunjščica to Zelenica, where many friends awaited. From there Matjaž Mikloša – Majk accompanied me, only Bojan Ambrožič persisted from the others. Pace to Stol was quite solid, plus it was hot and humid. At Stol I said goodbye to Bojan, with Majk we continued along the ridge to Golica. At the hut, wife Katarina and brother Tomaž waited. I refreshed, Katarina had to buy a bottle of water to wash me a bit, then with Majk we rushed to Golica. Followed a long and strenuous descent to Dovje. If at Golica I still thought to "pull" to Staničev dom that day, I changed my mind and wanted to finish in Dovje. After refreshment I said goodbye to Majk and other friends, Franci Teraž – legend of mountain running here – took me over. He convinced me to continue through Mojstrana to Aljažev dom in Vrata. Goran Kuhar was with us and together we marched through Mojstrana, where I was in a pitiful state, plus I was a bit ashamed if any colleague living there saw me like that. The path dragged on. At the end of the village, son Mark joined and at 21:50 we reached the day's goal, important for the next day as it was easier to get over the most demanding and dangerous parts of SPP that way. There I was really tired and exhausted and I don't know what Frenk thought if I would be in condition to continue the next day. Wife took us to Franci Teraž's home, where we had dinner (I little – nothing went down), then wife showered me and finally I was in bed.
August 18
Early morning we got up, ate something and drove back to Aljažev dom where I finished the previous day. At 5:40 Frenk, Goran and I bit into the climb, legs were good as by miracle. At 7:35 we were at Dom Valentina Staniča, half an hour later at 8:10 at Kredarica with crazy crowd, further to Triglav summit whole processions were winding. So we rushed to the top, colleagues held me back a bit, but full of adrenaline I overtook safely where possible, huge hikers. We especially watched safety as just a day before a hiker fell into depth on this section during encounter. We overtook 150 to 200 to the top! At 8:50 we were at Triglav summit, higher no. After a few minutes break we immediately started descending via Škrbina and further via Plemenice. At Luknja surprise – Nejc Kuhar and Klemen Triler waited and together to Dovška vratca, where we photographed and said goodbye. We three continued to Pogačnikov dom at Kriški podi, refreshed and prepared for Razor attack. Franci waited with backpacks at Planja saddle, with Goran we jumped to the top. Path to it despite landslide already well trodden, biggest danger one larger rock (time someone helps it down and no more danger). Despite height unbearably hot, humid. When together at Planja saddle again, continued to Prisojnik. On this part safety most important as path very demanding, but no problems, colleagues even praised me extremely skilled on pegs and cables, which boosted my confidence more. At 16:35 we conquered Prisojnik, despite high altitude very hot, ate sandwich and gassed to Vršič. Thought what to do. Continue to king Jalovec or rest? Frenk and Goran sighed relief when I decided to sleep in Erjavčeva koča. At 18:15 arrived Vršič and dinner in Erjavčeva koča, wife took Goran and Frenk home, I went to sleep.
August 19
Next morning Valentin from Tgsportlife brought Mirko Janjatovič to Vršič, with him at exactly 4am started ascent to Zavetišče pod Špičkom and Jalovec. Descended to Koča pri izviru Soče at 8:45. After 5min stop continued to Trenta and at 50th turn of Vršič road turned to Zadnjica. Soon after start of ascent Špela Zupan waited and together to Prehodavce, then to Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih and Koča pod Bogatinom where ate spaghetti. Said goodbye to Mirko and with Špela to Planinski dom pri Krnskih jezerih where Jure Šuligoj already waited. Together attacked last 2000er, Špela said goodbye after 15min and we two continued to Krn. Clock at top showed exactly 18:00 and black clouds threatened, so quickly continued to planina Razor. Jure fell a bit once and lost glasses but luckily found them. I probably lost my brand new CEBE glasses forever that day between Zasavska koča at Prehodavci and Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih (white-green frame, if someone finds please recommend, thanks). With Jure quickly continued – descents and flats ran and fled approaching rain. At 22:45 at Koča na planini Razor, reached just before downpour, only few drops caught us. In hut very hospitable and friendly, so family will surely visit on family trip.
August 20
Morning planned with Jure to continue at 6am but outside with rain hurricane wind raged. Would need practically winter clothes but didn't have. Wife put them on train in Bohinjska Bistrica, Jožko Dakskobler picked in Podbrd and brought to planina Razor. Meanwhile rested two hours and tried to sleep a bit. At half eleven with Jure rushed into cold, windy and slightly rainy day. In good 45min at Vogar top. Hurricane wind blew so immediately continued via Šija to Rodica and all to Črna prst where closest to my home, on clear day house visible in valley. With Jure ate pancakes and tea and quickly continued down the path I know best as famous GM4O goes there. Quickly ran to Petrov Brdo, Jožko Dakskobler already came towards. Followed refreshment, clothes change, running shoes... Jure said goodbye and after 20min together with Nejc Lazar who accompanied without big stop all to Idrija, continued ascent to Porezen (Janez Cankar came to greet at top). From Porezen descended to Bolnica Franja where Katarina gave tea and hot soup and already continued to Ermanovec. At Kladje Katarina again gave some tea and sandwich for way. Followed ascent to Bevkov vrh, Sivka and descent to Idrija.
August 21
In Idrija new marked mountain path (SPP) but very poorly cleared and at end worse marked. At 1:45 arrived Idrija where Nejc wished luck and left. From 2 to 6am last time little sleep. At 6am Jošt Lapajne already waited. First serious problems appeared. Besides blisters... Inside above knee on both legs muscle started hurting badly. At Hlevška planina in 45min, uphill no problem, downhill getting harder. Followed varied terrain to Mrzla rupa where path slowly up past hospital and right to Golaki. Watched carefully for left branch to Golak but in vain. Again had to do last km ascent on extremely difficult terrain like winter scouting. At top Malega Golaka strong wind, waited Ožbej Marc, Jana Bratina and Tadej Slokar. Immediately started descent. Legs hurt more and at parking under Iztokova koča physiotherapist Matej Ličen already waited who cared for legs so I could continue. Thanks! Continued to Čaven where nephew Mark joined, Jana said goodbye. At 15:15 arrived Predmeja where wife Katarina waited with refreshment. Tadej said goodbye, Ožbej and Jošt accompanied to Col. Due to legs condition from Predmeja went main road to Sinji vrh at little before 17, followed short but for my sore legs problematic descent to road, then by road to Col at 18. After one hour break continued to Javornik with Petra Tratnik and Renato Lešnik. In less than hour at Javornik, on descent from Javornik to Podkraj Marko Tratnik joined. Approx 7km before Furlanovo zavetišče pri Abramu only Renato and me. Went quite well, at Abram at midnight with Renato's friend woke one girl who reluctantly brought stamp.
August 22
Continued to Nanos at 1:20. Impossible hurricane cold wind blew so descended longer detour to Razdrto where Venčeslav Japelj and Mitja Volčanšek already waited who accompanied to finish. Ate pancake and with Mitja rushed to Vremščica. Little before 5am reached top, after descent towards Škocjanske jame serious problems started. Legs started swelling badly. At Škocjanske jame warm refreshment followed then immediately to Artviže. At top serious crisis so lay in grass, soon Katarina came and massaged a bit, after half hour could continue. At Slavnik RTV Slovenija team waited who filmed arrival and short interview with both, then continued descent. Getting harder. Valentin Goršek from Tgsportlife and Bojan Ambrožič joined, Papeževi came to greet... At Socerb so many friends I don't remember all. After short stop continuation to Osp quite tormenting but ascent to Tinjan gave wings again. At top besides Danijel Vinčenca who enlarged escort to sea, TV crew waited again. Gave extra strength as didn't want to look invalid on TV so gritted teeth and went as fast as possible to Ankaran. At end even ran and escort group started disintegrating. Extra strength from Bojan Ambrožič info that still possible to beat one day record. At end last two km full run and succeeded to beat one day record time by few seconds.
In the end thanks, really sincere thanks to all who helped in any way with this project, because without you certainly wouldn't succeed. Remain your debtor.
Best regards,
Marjan Zupančič
