After a few years hijacked by global warming, this winter was finally cold, snowy and long. Our ski-touring season started in November and lasted until the end of May. I grabbed this opportunity by the horns and made some great trips with the lads but also with coworkers and family. So lets go back to November 2017, which was heavily hit by powder. Together with Robert we attacked Vošca (1737m) both from sunny Slovenia and shady Austria:
December brought additional snow and semi-stable conditions, making Karavanke an easy and logical choice. Artač and Leon, who don't need additional introduction, popped-up like rabbits on the first sunny weekend. Srednji vrh (1797m) gave us light "Canadian" powder, which is not very common in Slovenian mountains. Even Artač was showing signs of emotional delight, which is even less common :)
Since Karavanke mountains were becoming our good friends, Leon and I decided to take another stab at Srednji vrh. Above Tinček, we were seduced by a solid ski-track which led us directly towards Stol (2225m). We turned around on 1800m and enjoyed a chilly lunch with spectacular views. Solid skiing but less powder due to South / East orientation of the slopes:
December was so nutorious that we decided to tackle a new region in Karavanke. East of Trupejevo poldne, there is a gorup of mountains around 1800m high, all very safe and attractive to ski. We started in Srednji vrh and skied both from Grajščica (cca 1780m) and Murnovec (1864m) which is the highest member of the gang. We cooked pasta at the very top and enjoyed powder on a perfectly sunny day. Again it was very chilly and we estimated around -20C in the shady valley behind Murnovec:
December was so nutorious that we decided to tackle a new region in Karavanke. East of Trupejevo poldne, there is a gorup of mountains around 1800m high, all very safe and attractive to ski. We started in Srednji vrh and skied both from Grajščica (cca 1780m) and Murnovec (1864m) which is the highest member of the gang. We cooked pasta at the very top and enjoyed powder on a perfectly sunny day. Again it was very chilly and we estimated around -20C in the shady valley behind Murnovec:
Starting in 2018, the winter conditions remained very stable. After a heavy lunch at my mother's house and putting the kids to sleep, Ana and I decided to stretch our legs and attempt to break the fog. Mission accomplished as we drank tea and watched the sunset from the top of Krim (1107m). It wasn't long before we realized it's -10 degrees and the night is right around the corner. I skied great powder straight to our house, while Ana managed to hitchhike a local jeep:
On the first days of February, we experienced one of the heaviest snowfalls documented in the last 100 years. Some places received over a meter of snow in less than 24 hours. The team was quick to assemble and considering safety, we attacked the abandoned ski-piste Macesnovec (1200m) above Rateče, precisely on the border with Italy. We enjoyed fantastic winter scenery, but on the other hand, we consumed no pleasure in skiing. We usually celebrate big quantities of snow, especially in combination with low temperatures and steep slopes.. however, this time it was simply TOO MUCH! The only possible descent was to follow our own tracks. Disappointment was extinguished with beer "alla spina" and a long afternoon debate:
After the legendary boys week in Romania (preparing a separate post), it was time to fulfil an old promise and give my colleague Miha a ski touring taste. There was plenty of snow on Ljubelj and the quantity increased as we attacked the popular Triangel (1705m). Miha was more than happy, but only next season will show if he sticks with the sport:
There was a lot of snowfall on Pokljuka this winter, which brought great spring conditions. Together with Leon we attacked Brda (2009m), where we enjoyed solitude, great views of Triglav and a skiing poetry on a few centimeters of melted snow. Martin climbed the classical Mrežce (1965m), and had a lot of fun as he paraglided around Veliki Draški vrh and landed just in front of our cottage:
One of the season highlights was ski-touring with Jakob, my 2-year-old son. He was very excited and this was also an opportunity for father-son bonding. In the middle of April we made a trip to Blejska koča (1630m) above Pokljuka. Lojze was quick enough to follow, while the other family members were dragging behind:
There was a lot of snowfall on Pokljuka this winter, which brought great spring conditions. Together with Leon we attacked Brda (2009m), where we enjoyed solitude, great views of Triglav and a skiing poetry on a few centimeters of melted snow. Martin climbed the classical Mrežce (1965m), and had a lot of fun as he paraglided around Veliki Draški vrh and landed just in front of our cottage:
Solid spring conditions continued throughout April and we were planning to tackle the Bohinj trio - Matajurski vrh, Veliki Raskovec and Rodica for desert. Together with Robert and Leon we formed a strong team; however, the fog on the mountain summits was even stronger. For this reason we reached only Matajurski vrh (1936m), but took pleasure in compact snow in a valley of north-west direction. We celebrated the trip by swimming in the Bohinj lake and making plans for the future:
There was a good quantity of snow that accumulated over the winter, which meant the ski-touring season extended well into May. This is when Lojze, my father in law, finally got his act together and we climbed the Bela peč (2005m) mountain pass, which is just west of Gilberti hut (Sella Nevea). The trip had all the late spring elements, including but not limited to: hot sun, cold beer, dirty snow and most important - lots of fun:
At the end of May, when many Slovenians were taking off for the seaside, Leon and I were not ready to give up. Legendary Rok Medja gave me a hint that snow was still hiding in the valley behind Viševnik. We were rather skeptical, when we ascended above Rudno polje on grass; however, our doubts vanished when we peeked over the eastern ridge (Kačji rob). First we skied from Srenjski pass (1959m), then Studorski pass (1892m) with a short deviation towards Veliki Draški vrh (2240m), and then across Srenjski pass for the second time. It turned out to be a great trip to close the season, with more skiing then we dared to hope for:
In conclusion, the ski touring season 2017/18 was very productive and lasted for more than six months. This was something normal between 2006-2012, but less common in the last years. It was very cold with constant percipitation, which is also the reason why we skied lower mountains. Actually the average "summit" hight was only around 1750m. Karavanke and Pokljuka were the winning destinations, and I have skied many of the mountains for the first time (Grajščica, Murnovec, Macesnovec, Brda, Matajurski vrh, Bela peč and Srenjski / Studorski pass). I also had the opportunity to ski with my coworkers Robert and Miha, and most important - my son Jakob!
