ZKlemen - Recent messages

Fitting for automatic crampons have more or less all serious winter boots anyway. And you probably need such. In various combined boots meant for summer and winter hiking you'll freeze. Really try boots well in the shop because winter boots are quite stiff and prone to blistering. And they don't reshape at all when you wear them for a while. So they blister forever. If winter and leather, so you won't freeze in them, comfort is in my opinion the most important criterion. Try as many as possible. And good luck.

The day before yesterday we popped up to Krn from Lepena. Little snow to the lake. From the lake on conditions more wintery. In the gully snow iced with crust that mostly holds human weight. On the way up we detoured to Batognica. Crossing right below Krn summit a bit strenuous. About 20 cm snow there and pure south-facing. View incredible. Saw the sea. Nice trip I recommend. Winter gear mandatory of course.

Last night we were at Kamnik Saddle. First time I was in the mountains at night and it was very nice. But it was also cold. We encountered completely winter conditions, even though there's no snow anymore. It was blowing strongly and freezing. The view of Kamnik and Ljubljana was magnificent. The starry sky was also wonderful.

Today we were on Grintovec. We started at the lower cable car station to Kokrško sedlo and reached the top in good three hours. Conditions were fantastic. Snow starts a bit below the saddle and from there almost continuous to the top. Temperature was just right so we weren't hot, snow was hard and didn't sink at all. Over Streha snow was hard as concrete and without crampons there's no way you'll get there alive. Best snow for walking with crampons I've experienced. No avalanche danger either. Not very windy. Despite bad forecast we had sun and nice view all the way to the top. Later it clouded over and we ended up in fog. On return to Kokrško sedlo we met the only two mountaineers who, besides us, went up there today. We had a great time and despite the descent in cloudy weather we had lots of fun. Mandatory gear: crampons and ice axe.

Yesterday we were on Špik. We took the route from Hotel Erika below Vršič through Kačji graben. The path through Kačji graben is dry. Snow starts a little below the tree line. We started very early so the snow was still quite firm. Lower down it sank, but on the snowy scree the crust held and walking was less strenuous. On the return the snow had softened to the top and we sank to our waists the whole way. Sinking snow and steep terrain took huge energy. Mandatory: crampons, ice axe, SUNGLASSES and SUN CREAM. The view was unforgettable. It was very warm.

We were also on mojstrovka yesterday. Weather was really much better than forecasted and so we extended our tour a bit and climbed Mala, Velika and also Srednja Mojstrovka. In the morning still quite hard and dangerous for slipping, in the afternoon up on the sun everything was already south-facing soft. Crampons and ice axe obligatory, watch out for huge cornices. It was very nice, and we regret a bit not going to Zadnja Mojstrovka too.

We were today at Kamnik Saddle. To Jermanca the road is quite dry and no problem to get there with car. Real snow starts only somewhere at Pastirci. It was very warm. Morning snow still quite frozen, but we were very early. On descent snow already quite thawed. We had crampons and ice axe which eased ascent, but could go up without trouble even without, as path trodden.

And who happens to know what's with the road to Jermanca? Since this year in lowlands not much snow, maybe we come with car up. Thanks and nice regards.

@skrajnik
If you want La Sportiva gojzarje with adapter for automatic crampons, a good choice is the model NEPAL EXTREME, currently at Iglu discounted 30%. http://www.iglusport.si/cevlji-visoki-nepal-extreme I think that's a good price. Just if they haven't sold out yet.

Today we were on Porezen from Cimprovka (Davča) direction along the road. Conditions were rather bad. The whole path in fog. Strong wind blowing. Not much snow, but lots of ice. Small crampons would have been good but we didn't have them. Snow as much as there is, is more water than snow. Winter technical gear not necessary.

Thanks for the advice. We decided on bigger Gojzarje with an adapter for automatic crampons, since we'll probably climb quite a lot after the course. At least for now, we're both enthusiastic about the idea.

I need some advice. My girlfriend and I will enroll next year in the mountaineering school at PD Matica. The school includes the winter part of the mountaineering season as well. We already have most of the summer gear because we do sport climbing. For winter we're still shopping. Would these gojzarji discounted in Kibuba (http://www.kibuba.com/index.php?pID=3577) be suitable for the level of the mountaineering school at Matica? The program includes icefall climbing as well, and I'm not sure if it's better to have automatic rather than semi-automatic crampons. I'll be grateful for advice.

Today we were on Tošč from Mačkov Graben. Snow about 20 to 30 cm and dry and light. To the saddle between little and big Tošč we were first and broke trail through all the snow. There someone overtook us and spoiled all the fun. It was cloudy and we saw nowhere but still nice. Some caution is not superfluous as snow sinks to the ground and sometimes you step on something unexpected (root, slippery stone).

On Sunday 12.12. we went to Blegoš from saddle Črni Kal. To parking at Črni Kal not possible with normal car, too much snow and ice. Parked right on narrow road to Črni Kal and had hard time turning around on return. Weather gorgeous and view too. Snow already quite settled and mostly not sinking. Had small 4-point crampons which came handy on icy spots but would reach top without big problems even without. Hut open, no crowd. Didn't feel cold as strong sun warmed us.

Oops pardon. You're right