16936

Slovenia: MTB - Zelenica

For the final day, Sunday had finally arrived and with it the end of another great weekend at Planinsko Zavetišče Slatna. Once again, there were no volunteers for a mountain biking tour, so I decided to make my own way home by bike.

With no other plans for the day, I decided to ride home directly from Slatna. The shortest route led across Zelenica, so after climbing to Dom na Zelenici, I continued over the pass and down towards home - Garmin Connect. It was a great way to finish the weekend, combining mountain scenery, a bit of effort, and one last adventure before returning to everyday life.

On the cycling path from Rateče to Jesenice.

One last effort: the long climb towards Dom na Zelenici on the way home.

Over the highest point of the day.

Even today, the weather offered little in the way of views.

Geocaches found (all received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8):

- Bikeway Tarvis- Jesenice 28, GC8Y3KJ

- Bikeway Tarvis- Jesenice 29, GC8Y4QD

- Bikeway Tarvis- Jesenice 30, GC8Y51C

- Bikeway Tarvis- Jesenice 31, GC8Y5J4

#MTB #Guide #JulianAlps #Karawanks #CheraHiking #geocaching

16935

Slovenia: MTB - Vošca

After breakfast, we continued with the activities planned for the final weekend of Chera Hiking's 2024/2025 mountaineering school. The participants had already completed most of the programme during the previous months, and this weekend was dedicated to final activities, practical exercises, and celebrating the successful completion of another mountaineering school generation.

The weather was once again far from ideal for mountain biking, and the morning skies did not look particularly encouraging. Nevertheless, today's ride was not going to be a solo adventure, as Sabina decided to join me.

We met in Podkoren and set off towards Korensko Sedlo before turning onto the forest track known as Železnica. The route gradually climbed through the forest and alpine meadows, eventually bringing us to Blekova Planina. Our destination, Vošca, was already within reach, but the final section proved too steep and rough for riding. As a result, we spent the last part of the ascent pushing and occasionally carrying our bikes towards the summit.

Unfortunately, the effort was not rewarded with the usual panoramic views. Low clouds and mist completely hid the surrounding peaks, leaving us with little reason to linger at the top. After a short break, we began our descent.

As often happens on unfamiliar terrain, we somehow managed to miss the start of the trail we intended to follow. After a brief search, we eventually found it halfway down the slope. From there, the ride became much more enjoyable, with a pleasant trail leading us all the way to Kranjska Gora.

A well-deserved beer awaited us at the end of the descent. After taking a short break, Sabina headed home, while I continued my ride through Rateče and back to our weekend base at Planinsko Zavetišče Slatna - Garmin Connect.

The day concluded back at the mountain hut, where everyone gathered for dinner. In the evening, the participants who had successfully completed their final hiking tours received their traditional initiation into the mountaineering community. It was a fitting end to another successful day and a memorable conclusion to a year of learning, hiking, and shared adventures in the mountains.

Blekova Planina is a panoramic alpine pasture situated on the border with Austria.

Sabina and Tuši.

 

Riding would be possible in the opposite direction.

 

Arriving to Vošca, 1737 m.

Black Mamba conquered new peak.

Group photo on the summit, if we can call it like that.

Back in the hut, we occupied the table for table tennis.

Future mountaineers ready to put their skills to the test.

A practical exercise in glacier rope team procedures.

 

Mountain rescue basics: making an emergency call and building an emergency shelter.

Chera Hiking team group photo.

One more before we went to sleep.

Geocache found:

- Bikeway Tarvis- Jesenice 10, GC8A1AM, that received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8

#MTB #Guide #JulianAlps #Karawanks #CheraHiking #geocaching

16934

Slovenia: MTB - Tamar & Source of Nadiža

Today was the start of the final weekend of Čera Hiking's 2024/2025 mountaineering school. The group spent the weekend at Planinsko Zavetišče Slatna, where a variety of activities and workshops were planned. As part of the program, I prepared three MTB tours for the participants.

The first and shortest ride was planned for this afternoon, leading from Podkoren to the Tamar Valley, with an additional visit to the nearby Nadiža Spring. Reaching the spring requires a short hike, so the bikes had to be left in the valley.

The weather forecast was far from promising, and in the end no one joined the ride, so I set off alone. Just as I arrived in Tamar, the rain started falling, forcing me to take shelter in the mountain hut for a while. Fortunately, the weather soon improved, allowing me to continue to the source of the Nadiža.

Since I was riding on my own, I decided to modify the original route and added a climb to the summit of Velikanka ski-jumping hill. After enjoying the views, I descended by road back to our base for the weekend, Planinsko Zavetišče Slatna, where I met up with the rest of the Čera Hiking participants and wrapped up another enjoyable day in the mountains - Garmin Connect.

Riding towards Planica.

Dom v Tamarju mountain hut.

STOP for bicycles.

Information board dedicated to the crew of the American bomber B-24G "Bugs", which crashed near Kotovo Sedlo during World War II.

Parking for bikes.

  

A short walk along the Nadiža stream leads to its picturesque source beneath the steep cliffs of the Tamar Valley.

View over Tamar valley to Slemenova Špica.

Crystal-clear water emerges from the rocks.

The Nadiža spring in Tamar, often regarded as the starting point of the Sava Dolinka.

 

From this spring in the Tamar Valley, the water begins a journey of nearly 1900 kilometres through the Sava and Danube rivers before reaching the Black Sea.

Back in Tamar valley.

 

Planica, where ski jumpers and ski flyers have been pushing the limits of human flight for decades.

It's a long way down.

Home for 3 days.

Evening activities.

Geocaches found (all received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8):

- Bikeway Tarvis- Jesenice 13, GC8A1C7

- Bikeway Tarvis- Jesenice 12, GC8A1C0

- Bikeway Tarvis- Jesenice 11, GC8A1AR

- Dolina svetovnih prvenstev, GCA3J0J

- Zlomljena krila - Zavezniški bombnik (Tamar), Multi, GC8TMKE

- SLAP NADIŽA / THE NADIŽA WATERFALL, GC768JJ

- Pot po Planici-1, GC8Y887

- Pot po Planici-2, GC8XEXP

- Pot po Planici-3, GC8XTFH

#MTB #Guide #JulianAlps #CheraHiking #geocaching

16933

Slovenia: Dakhabrakha

Before the concert, Nada and I treated ourselves to dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Ljubljana. It was a great way to start the evening, enjoying good food and taking our time before heading to Kino Šiška. DakhaBrakha delivered a nice performance, blending traditional Ukrainian folk music with modern influences from around the world. Their distinctive vocals, powerful rhythms, and striking stage presence created an unforgettable atmosphere.

 

Dinner at Mexican restaurant.

Formed in Kyiv in 2004, DakhaBrakha blends traditional Ukrainian folk music with influences from around the world.

The band's striking stage appearance, featuring tall black hats and traditional costumes, has become as recognizable as its music.

DakhaBrakha is made up of Marko Halanevych, Iryna Kovalenko, Olena Tsybulska, and Nina Garenetska.

DakhaBrakha's name translates as "give/take" in old Ukrainian, a fitting description for a band that draws inspiration from many cultures while sharing Ukrainian traditions with audiences around the world.

DakhaBrakha - Baby (Live on KEXP)

DakhaBrakha - Vesna (Live on KEXP)

DakhaBrakha - Sho z-pod duba (Live on KEXP)

#concert #KinoŠiška

16932

Slovenia: The Greek

My couchsurfing motorcycle friend, Lefteris, visited Slovenia again. Since he was staying nearby in Bled, we met up for a drink. It had been a year since we had last seen each other, so we spent some time catching up, reminiscing about old adventures, and, of course, talking about motorcycles. It was great to see Lefteris again and pick up right where we had left off. Cheers!

Nada, Tuši and Lefteris.

#couchsurfing #motorcycle

16929

Slovenia: Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih and Stenar

It was time for another longer hike, this time just Bronco and me. We set off early in the morning and drove over the Vršič Pass to the Zadnjica Valley, where we left the car and began our adventure.

A long but relatively gentle climb along the old military trail brought us to Pogačnik Lodge on Kriški Podih. The weather was perfect and, since we still had plenty of time and energy left, we decided to continue all the way to Mount Stenar.

Bronco had to put in a little extra effort on a few rocky sections, but there were no major difficulties, and together we successfully reached the summit. A little stronger wind greeted us at the top, so we didn't stay long. After taking in the views and enjoying the satisfaction of another successful ascent, we slowly made our way back down to the valley - Garmin Connect.

Once again, it turned out to be a beautiful day in the Julian Alps, shared with my loyal four-legged hiking companion.

Above Trenta valley.

Taking a break by Spodnje Kriško jezero lake, a jewel of the Julian Alps.

Spodnje Kriško jezero (1880 m) is the largest of the Kriška Lakes. Surrounded by grassy shores and towering alpine peaks, this oval-shaped lake measures roughly 140 by 100 metres and reaches a depth of 8.5 metres. Despite its clear waters, no fish live here.

Around 9 a.m., the first rays of sunlight appeared over the mountains.

After a steady climb along the old military trail, Bronco and I finally reached Pogačnik Lodge on Kriški Podi.

 

Recharging at 2050 metres before continuing towards Stenar.

Looking towards Stenar across the tranquil waters of Srednje and Četrto Kriško jezero.

The name Trenta is believed to be of Friulian origin, derived from the word Tridenta, meaning "three-toothed" or "divided into three parts." The name reflects the local geography, where the valley branches into the Soča and Zadnjica valleys, with the latter later splitting again near Beli Potok, creating a distinctive three-pronged landscape.

Looking back towards Pogačnik Lodge, with Mount Planja rising in the background.

We encountered quite a few Alpine ibexes along the way.

The Julian Alps are once again home to healthy ibex populations after their successful reintroduction.

The sign at Dovška vratca says just a little bit more.

View towards our highest mountain, Triglav.

A view from the summit towards Škrlatica, the queen of the Julian Alps.

Vrata valley and The Karawanks.

With Bronco on top of Stenar, 2501 m.

The majestic peaks of Planja and Razor.

Bronco need to cool down.

Following the gentle military trail back to the Zadnjica Valley.

Looking back at the rugged landscape.

Sticks holding the mountain.

#hiking #mountains #JulianAlps #CatahoulaLeopardDog