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Slovenia: Mala Vratca, Na Križu, Kokrska Kočna and Jezerska Kočna

Kočna is a broad, rocky mountain with three almost equally high peaks: Jezerska Kočna (2540 m), Kokrska Kočna (2520 m) and Na Križu (2484 m), that rises above the river Kokra valley. Nada and me decided to set foot on all peaks. To spice things up a little more, we chose to use the southwest ridge for the ascent route. Since a small rock summit called Mala Vratca was on our way, we also ticked that one. We finished the whole day hike with a descent over the Dulce back to our starting point in Suhadolnik.
After the hike we drove to Jezersko, where we attended the 61st Shepherd's festival, the oldest Slovenian ethnographic event.

 

Orientation was quite demanding

The book said continue over the ladder. Guess we're right on track.

 

Following the nose through the forest

Above the tree line we continued on steep grassy terrain

The view wasn't perfect, still we enjoyed the hike

Mala Vratca in front of us

View from top of Mala vratca, 1973 m

 

Red rocks indicate larger quantities of iron, which is very dangerous in bad weather. On the way we also spotted many edelweisses.

Alpine salamander - shiny black salamander found in the central, eastern and Dinaric Alps, at altitudes above 700 m.

From time to time the sky opened a bit and we could see our destination.

Happy to be in the mountains

Stone man

 

Passing the natural window.

 

Time for photo shooting

Last meters before the first peak

On top of Na Križu, 2484 m. The peak was renamed from Kokrska Kočna, while the name Kokrska Kočna moved to a peak towards SE.

Leaving the peak

Posing for the camera

Leaving the terrain with no official trail

 

Conquered peak no. 3, where we had a quick barbecue.

One more window on the way back to the valley

 

Easier if you remove the backpack

Should it be rotated or not? The truth lies somewhere in between.

 

Even-though you are on the track, you have to remain focused.

The quickest descents are usually straight down on a scree

Between Grintovec and Kočna

Just nature around us

My photographer Nada took a photo of ...

... photographer Tuši.

Deep in Dolci valley

One possible way back to the valley leads past Bivouac in Kočna.

Another crossroad

In the heart of Kamnik-Savinja Alps

Nada and Tuši hiked the whole day

Green Green Grass Of Home

Our ridge and peak

Kočna - Garmin Connect

Lake Planšarsko jezero - the little heart-shaped lake was made by local inhabitants in memory of a larger glacial lake that had drained away, and after which Jezersko got its name. 

 

Free feet and beer in the hand - the best regeneration package