Slovenian
and Croatian 9/13/2007-10/7/2007
Steamboat
SpringsàDenverà BostonàMilan,
ItàZabreb, CroatiaàSamabor, CroatiaàLjubljana,
SloveniaàBled, SloveniaàBohjni,
SlàJulian Alps, SLàBohjni, SlàIzola, SlàOpitja,
CroatiaàPlitvice, CràStarigrad-Palenica, CràZadar,
CràZagreb/Samabor, CràMilanàBostonàDenveràSteamboat Springs
Journal
Part V: Trivlavski Dom 9/21-22/2007
The next day had a good breakfast
and headed for the Planika Dom on the south side of Triglav. 
Two hours later we arrived on this
spectacular perch. We were joined by a
young Israeli couple and a young couple from
Outside Planika Dom enjoying a cup
of hot tea with friends from
We first had to drop down about
1,200 feet before climbing another 1,500 ft to the hut and most of it turned
out to be through snow. The rain in the
valley was snow in the mountains. It
created a beautiful view, but difficult hiking.
Most of the climb was on steep
trails, but a few sections traversed steep lime stone cliff sections where
cables and steel rods and foot holds where the only sound purchase. Mo was less than thrilled, but pushed on and
we made the Triglavski Dom after about six hours.
Mo traversing a section of trail
still well below the Triglavski Dom. Many
sections of trail are protected with cables or steel spikes.
The hut was spectacular, the food
was good, but the hut managers were former gulag guards, a little stern with
not much to say.
About 4 PM a father with his nine
and eleven year old daughters arrived after six hours of hiking. He fixed them a snack and we talked for a
little while. At 5:30 PM, much to our
surprise and shock, the father and his daughters put on their helmets and
climbing gear and headed out to climb the icy north face of Triglav. We were able to watch from our window in the
warm dining area. About a third of the
way they decided that the going was a little too tough and returned to the hut
for the night. The girls were in great
spirits and ready to head to the south side in the morning to tackle the south
face. Tough people!
The three specks on the north face
of Triglav are dad and his 9 and 11 year old daughters. They were roped up with helmets and great determination,
but with a total of one alpine ice axe and one pair of crampons between them,
they were no match for the mountain.
Yesterday morning we again packed up and headed down from
Triglavski. The cables and pegs were no
problems, but it was a long day back to the car. Ran in to some wild and crazy Slovak guys on
a pass who insisted upon sharing their schnapps and taking pictures with
Sun rise from Triglavski Dom
Mo
descending a section between Triglav and Planika
Mo partying with the wild Slovenians
After I descended and the party broke
up we headed on down. By the time we
made the car I was shuffling and Mo was leaving me in the dust. We headed back to Bohinj and checked back in
to the Penzion where we were the only guests due to the recent flooding.
Today we are heading for Lipica
(true home of the Lipizzaner stallions) and then on to
Go to Croatia
Slovenia Journal VI