16683

Slovenia / Italy: Backcountry Skiing - Kanin and Prestreljeniška škrbina

Today I joined the Chera Hiking group for a backcountry skiing tour in the Kanin Mountains.

Our day started with a drive to the Sella Nevea (Na Žlebeh) ski resort, where we took the gondola up to the Celso Gilberti mountain hut. From there, we put on our skis and began our tour, crossing the Prevala saddle to the Slovenian side. The weather and snow conditions made for a perfect day in the mountains. We continued along the ski lift track below Prestreljenik, heading towards our original goal - the natural rock window, Prestreljeniško okno. However, once we got close, we found it quite crowded, so we decided to skip it and instead aim for the nearby notch, Prestreljeniška škrbina. After reaching the notch and taking a well-deserved group photo, we enjoyed our first descent into Veliki graben. The skiing conditions were excellent, and the descent was a real highlight. At the bottom, we put the skins back on and climbed back up towards the saddle below Prestreljenik. Once the group regrouped, we started our return, this time skiing more freely off the usual routes, which made for a fun and dynamic descent. Back on the Italian side, we took a short lift back up towards the Gilberti hut area, and from there enjoyed a final run down the groomed piste back to Sella Nevea. A great day in the mountains, combining good company, beautiful scenery, and some excellent skiing - Garmin Connect.

Towards saddle Prevala, 2067 m.

On the sunny Slovenian side.

Mount Prestreljenik, where I skied in 2022 - 15677.

 

Notch Prestreljeniška Škrbina and people going towards the natural window.

On the border looking into Italy.

Great snow.

Beautiful day.

Gaja, Badžo, Tuši and Lovro.

After the first descent in Veliki Graben.

Looking back towards the window.

Skins were back on our skis.

Due to some issues, the ski resort on Slovenian side was closed.

Rifugio Gilberti, Mount Prestreljenik and the window Prestreljeniško okno.

 

Bombardino for the end of the trip.

#BackcountrySkiing #JulianAlps #CheraHiking

16677

Austria: Hike to Sopotniški Grintovec and Žingarica

This year seems to be full of trips to Austria. Today, Nada went skiing at the nearby Bodental ski resort, while Bronco and I chose a quieter plan - a hike in the same area. Our first objective was Sopotniški Grintovec, a rather unknown and rarely visited peak. As expected, we had the mountain entirely to ourselves. From there, we continued toward Žingarica (Singerberg), 1589 m, walking through fresh snow and following only the tracks of wild animals. After reaching the summit, we joined a more frequently used path, which led us back down into the valley toward Slovenji Plajberk also known as Svinčnica or Windisch Bleiberg, finishing just next to the church. We reached the valley first and waited for Nada, and once she arrived, we all headed back home after another beautiful day in the mountains - Garmin Connect.

The first steps already hinted that this would be an interesting route.

 

Soon we found a geocache.

View to the main ridge of the Karawanks with Vrtača.

 

At Sopotniški Grintovec also called Loibler Grintoutz, 1295 m.

View to Drava valley.

Let's mark this spot.

View to the Košuta ridge.

Geocache found:

- Auf Ossis Spuren #1, GC9C9WA, that received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8 and where I dropped off trackable item "Cape Town Travel Bug #2", TB40BGZ

#geocaching #hiking #mountains #Karawanks #CatahoulaLeopardDog

16676

Austria: Backcountry Skiing - Schöpfing and Aignerhöhe

A week later, with snow conditions in Slovenia still unchanged, Anže, Robi, Marija and I decided to head to Austria once again. This time, we drove to the village of Wald near Zederhaus, where we started our ascent via Muhreralm toward our first goal: Schöpfing (2144 m), a peak we last visited back in 2016 (13414). We didn’t linger long at the summit - the wind was strong and the cold cut right through us. After a quick pause, we skied back down to Muhreralm, where we took a short break and discussed whether to continue toward Aignerhöhe (2104 m). From below, the peak looked rather bare, with much of the snow blown away by the wind, which made us hesitant. In the end, we agreed to give it a try - at least halfway. But as it often happens, "halfway" turned into something more. Step by step, we kept going until we eventually found ourselves standing on the top. Despite our doubts, there was still enough snow for a surprisingly good descent - you just had to choose your line carefully - Garmin Connect.

White opium.

On the Muhreralm.

Following the tracks in the snow.

Mountains in the vicinity.

We already smelled that the summit will be windy.

Somewhere here we crossed the Tauern Road Tunnel.

We weren't alone.

At the top of Schöpfing, 2144 m, with the view to Kleines Mosermandl and Mosermandl, a destination still to be conquered.

Marija, Tuši, Robi and Anže.

Time to ski.

 

Lines through the forest.

Ascending towards the Aignerhöhe, 2104 m.

Just below the summit.

At the top.

 

Soon we skied back to our starting point, where we packed all our gear carefully into Marija's car.

#BackcountrySkiing #NiedereTauern #RadstadtTauern

16669

Austria: Backcountry Skiing - Benzegg

There hasn’t been much snow in Slovenia this winter, so Miha and I decided to head across the border into nearby Austria. Just beyond the Tauern Tunnel, we found a place to park and set off.

The cold was biting - around -15 °C - so we quickly geared up and started our ascent on skis toward Benzegg (2076 m). We followed a snow-covered road leading us to Ranstlalm, and from there continued through the forest until we reached the ridge between Schilchegg (which we visited back in 2020 – 14884) and Benzegg. The ridge was a bit icy at times, but it didn't cause us too much trouble. After about three hours of climbing, we reached the summit cross. We took a few photos, enjoyed the views, and then began our ski down back into the valley - Garmin Connect.

Driving in cold morning.

Ascending on snowy road.

Ranstlalm at around 1500 m.

Destination for beginners as it is not too steep.

Through the forest.

On the ridge between Schilchegg  and Benzegg.

Selfie with the cross.

At our destination, Benzegg (2076 m).

Miha.

Tuši.

One for the facebook.

Skiing back to the valley.

#BackcountrySkiing #NiedereTauern

16666

Slovenia: Veliki vrh and Toplar

Every New Year's Day is a little different, and this one was no exception. Nada and I spent New Year's Eve at home, and the next morning we woke up early because we wanted to reach the summit of Veliki Vrh in time for sunrise. Of course, Bronco joined us as well. This year there wasn't much snow on the peaks, so the hike wasn't particularly demanding. We reached the summit just in time to watch the sun rise. After taking a few photos, we began our descent. First we conquered nearby Toplar, found a geocache and then on the way down, we met some friends, and we all stopped at the Dom na Kofcah mountain hut for a few drinks and a chat. After spending a wonderful day in the mountains, we returned to the valley about seven hours after setting out - Garmin Connect.

Yep, it will rise over the silhouette of Kamink-Savinja Alps.

On 2000 meters above sea level for sunrise for New Year.

Bronco explored the Western part of Košuta ridge, while we only admired Julian Alps and Western Karawanks.

Nada and Tuši.

Returning back to the valley.

Some of our friends had same intentions.

Typical lunch for new year back home. Sarma (stuffed leaves) time.

Geocache found:

- GeoAddict: 2K Challenge, Mystery, GCA1Y7J, that received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55,  "Cape Town Travel Bug #2", TB40BGZ and "Twin Star", TB33TN8 and where I dropped off trackable item "Ojstrica (2350 m) - ti moje kraljestvo / you my kingdom...", TB8MHFG

#hiking #mountains #Karawanks #CatahoulaLeopardDog #geocaching #NewYear