stanebalant - Recent messages

Oh, the golden-yellow drink is in the game. I'd gladly add my own mug too, since I carried it, Pipi's prusik namely.
About the tour itself and conditions macesen 1 has already said everything, I can only add that this is a path endowed with the divinities of this world. Whoever yearns for the wild beauties of our little country, let him go fill his cup up there, he won't regret it. But beware: the yearning will then be even greater! It can addict you.

macesen1, yeah,yeah... unforgettable enchanting, thrilling and crumbly Rušica.
The editorial team is really terrific, delightful news for all participants of this forum, now we're all happy and satisfied again. That's how it's done.

The limits of the possible are expanding day by day, in all areas. I see no reason why someone shouldn't post their ascent of a route like Jovan did with his climbing partner on this forum, even though it's considered an exclusively alpinistic route and according to some comments this thread doesn't belong here. Jovan's report describes (and shows) everything that befits such a tour and what's needed. I didn't take the contribution as boasting at all, since those who know Jovan know his modesty, but he likes to share his successes in Slovenian mountains with others, just like many of us. His tours are filled with enormous energy, especially emotions. If you don't believe it, try it, he'll welcome you into his company and I'm sure you'll appreciate him too. I've had the honor of doing quite a few ascents, including alpinistic ones, in his company, of course combined with other hikers, climbers, alpinists, friends or whatever you want to call them (respectable ladies included), in short, in the company of good people with whom we have immeasurable fun in the mountains, rejoice, enjoy, deliberately or inadvertently get lost and more and more...
Jovan, congrats on the ascent, looking forward to the next joint tour.

Finally on a somewhat more serious trip! I adore solo and solitary tours, freedom, independence, when you can adapt the path and pace to your wishes and abilities. I hope my friends from the "optimists" club don't resent this egoistic move . I like the company of friends when we often "pull off" some more or less difficult route in our mountains (sometimes we stray ), but sometimes I need a solitary path to settle accounts with myself, check my own psycho-physical state, think, observe...
So on the holiday day I step out from Planica to Tamar (just enough walking to warm the body to the proper "working" temperature), behind the hut I head to the path towards Jalovec, leave it after a few minutes and head towards Middle Ponca. The path is well traceable throughout, without any peculiarities, although the steepness does not ease until the top. Just below the top of Mid. Ponca I receive a call from Janez: "Hi Stane, today I am cycling with my family around Kranjska Gora and Vršič, so you can descend from High Ponca via ferrata to Belopeška Lakes, wait for me there, I'll come with the car." My heart jumps happily, a wonderful idea, so from Tamar over H. Ponca to Belopeška Lakes. I couldn't have wished for a nicer tour on such a nice day. And to fill the measure, I met Boris from Otlice at the top of Mid. Ponca, who had just returned from H. Ponca. We debated for quite a while, as you know about those usual things, we also threw in some juicy comments about Saturday's party, "yeah she's still young and so pretty too" we gossiped. Slowly we say goodbye and head each in our own direction, Boris to Tamar, I descend into the notch, there instead of the left bypass, I go straight along the clean ridge directly to the first cables that lead to the top of H. Ponca. After a few minutes of scrambling I reach its top. I enjoy the views, admire Mangart, Jalovec, especially I examine the ridge from Mid. Ponca over Strug, Vevnica to Kotova Špica, will I succeed in convincing my dear friends to traverse it together someday?
From the top I head north to the nearby saddle and then sharply left directly into the gully that should indicate the direction of descent. And indeed, after a few meters of descent I reach the first cables, which via ferrata safely bring me to the valley. The cables are in impeccable condition, at some places they have also been replaced with new ones. At the Rif. Zacchi hut I treat myself to that magical golden-yellow drink, then straight to Belopeška Lakes, where I arrive in half an hour of walking. I wait for Janez, who drives me to our dear Planica and the beautiful day is concluded.

Surprisingly little response to the above described tour. True, it's posted under "current conditions", but still we comment on peripheral matters that have nothing to do with it. That's how we are. The description of the tour to Črvov vrh excited me right away. Namely, for a change from strenuous winter ascents, such a trip fits nicely. Especially the execution thrilled me: by train to the start, all-day wandering and enjoying beautiful nature, hanging out with friends, end again at the railway station waiting for the arriving train.
Memories of young years when we as eager lads, full of expectations, eager for new experiences and challenges, used regular public transport lines to access more or less difficult peaks and tours in our wonderful little country. Do you still remember?

From Jekarica it's really quite comfortable and fairly short approach to Storžič if the barrier is open. If not, an hour more walking, which is not too much for experienced mountaineers. I'm curious, Rozka, if the helmet stayed home today as well, like last New Year's Eve?

I agree with macesen 1, on his suggestion we also "lowered" the first ledge, which this winter is really unreasonably high, as Mr. Igor Zlodej already pointed out before

Yes, it's true, Matkov valley is a real paradise on earth. Its remoteness from usual hiking bustle offers silence, peace, you might not meet a living soul there, just you and the mountain nature. But it's visited en masse when the famous Matkov pothole is in its "full glory", that's in spring and early summer. Worth seeing.
Last year, end of August, I chose Matkov valley as starting point for a tour to Mrzla gora. I join "Volk"'s opinion, the tour is indeed suitable for somewhat more experienced hikers. Nice route description in A. Stritar's guide "Kamniško-Savinjske Alpe".
I started from Matkov kot past Matkov pothole, which of course was no longer there at that time of year, further to the Latvica cirque, at the top of the cirque right on slightly exposed terrain to the summit of Mrzla gora. From the summit I continued to Mrzla dol (on this part of the path we have to be most careful - crumbly rocks, slightly worse markers, quite demanding!), continue over Savinjsko and Jezersko sedlo to Koča na Ledinah, then descent to Ravenska Kočna valley and finish at Planšarsko jezero, where I treat myself to a mug of cold golden liquid with a centimeter thick foam on top. Ordered transport takes me pleasantly tired back to Matkov kot over Pavličevo sedlo, where I parked the car early in the morning. Surely this part of the all-day tour is the most unpleasant.
The described tour is quite ambitious, but worth the effort. Scenic views all the way, silence and peace, in short everything we seek in the mountains.

Begunjščica enchants me again and again, especially in winter. Today too. Among its diverse gullies I chose Central Gully for ascent to the top, where it narrows I turned right and topped out. Descended Šentanski Gully. Conditions: Ascent on hard frozen snow, before middle of Central Gully slush partially breaks through but no big issues. Descent "Šentanc" also no major problems: top frozen snow, middle breakthrough slush on powder, bottom frozen, partly icy.
When I thought I was the only today's sleepyhead, two friendly ski tourers with friendly dog joined me, no bad conscience. Thanks for nice chat and company.
Despite ideal conditions, no need to discuss winter gear for such tour.

very professionally executed, congratulations