Ashley Burke, Slovenia 2010

The Slovenska Planinska Pot (the Slovenian High Route)

Stage 3


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Map of Stage 3

Stage 3 - The Kamniško-Savinjske Alps

27 Jun - 2 Jul 2010

This is a true high mountain stage which, alongside Stage 6, would rank as the most challenging, spectacular and demanding stage of the entire route. On the map above I make no attempt to trace the exact route because it winds back and forth through the mountains in a very convoluted manner in order to reach the summit of every peak possible in the rugged Kamniško-Savinjske range. Over a period of 6 days we climbed 11 peaks in this range and many of these would be completely unclimbable were it not for the steel cables, spikes and rungs (via ferrate) that are provided for protection. It would be highly advisable to carry a harness and via ferrata kit on this stage of the trek although I did not use mine. In the absence of a via ferrata kit, a sling and two carabiners would suffice as a bare minimum.

Mountain huts on this stage of the route are situated in spectacular locations on saddles or small level areas high in the mountains.

Water is scarce on many sections of this route and on the long hot sunny days of the warm and stable summer of 2010 I became very thirsty.

Because it was early in the season, snow still covered large sections of the trail on the high ground, and this presented an additional challenge. In some cases the snow still covered the protected sections of the route. This meant some steep snowdrifts had to be crossed without protection. An ice axe and crampons would have been very welcome at these rather precarious moments, but we were not carrying this equipment. At times it was necesary to deviate from the main route to avoid snow, and this occasionally led over potentially dangerous ground.

So Stage 3 was one of the highlights of the entire trip and something to take seriously. We were fortunate enough to have had fine weather throughout this stage. In poor weather, poor visibility or high wind, parts of this stage could become dangerous. Any sensible trekker should take careful stock of the conditions before venturing into this area.

The highest peak in this area is Grintovec, at 2558m.

Here are some photos.

	Climbing out of the Robanov valley on Day 1 of Stage 3. Immediately the going gets very steep, with some exposure and protected sections. At the very bottom of this photo you can see some steel rungs and a cable which are provided to make it possible for a trekker to scale this near vertical rock face.
	After the long steep climb out of the Robanov valley the route levels out and passes through this high vale where a small hut and chapel are found.
	On the second day of Stage 3 the route remains high in the mountains. This is the view from the summit of Ojstrica (2350m) looking ahead towards Planjava. The route stays high, keeping to the top of this ridge. It is spectacular, exposed and challenging walking, a very long day.
	Here is some of the exposed traversing on Stage 3 Day 2. Steel spikes provide secure hand holds.
	Some of the route is still covered in snow, making it an additional challenge.
	As you can see, the route does not shy away from the mountains, keeping close to the exposed ridge top.
	Myself on the summit of Planjava (2394m).
	After a very long day we reach the sanctuary of Kamniška koča spectacularly located on the grassy saddle called Kamniško sedlo (1884m). We were very thirsty on arrival so after drinking deeply from the hut's supply of rainwater, we enjoyed a bottle of the local red wine (Refošk) and then I went out to photograph the sunset.
	Evening views from Kamniška koča.


	Stage 3 Day 3 was a relatively short day, from Kamniška koča to Kranjska koča via Frischaufov dom and the saddle of Savinjsko sedlo. This relatively easy section of cable is on the steep descent to Frischaufov dom not long after leaving Kamniška koča.
	As we approached the saddle called Savinjsko sedlo there were extensive areas of snow.
	Because today was a short day we did a side trip to the summit of Velika Baba (2127m), which is the peak in this photo. This photo was taken later in the day, from the balcony of Kranjska koča.
	Evening views looking to the north from Kranjska koča.
	Evening views looking to the north from Kranjska koča.


	Stage 3 Day 4 was one of the most challenging and exposed days of walking on the entire Transverzala. The day began with an ascent from Kranjska koča to the summit of Križ (2433m). I have marked the route up Križ in this photo. From Kranjska koča we climbed back up to near Jezersko sedlo and then across the snowy bowl in this photo. Then it was up the scree slope to meet the cables, spikes and rungs which led up the exposed rock face to the summit.
	Here is Kendy starting up the protected section.
	Some very exposed climbing up cables and spikes towards the summit of Križ.
	Kendy climbing towards Križ.
	After some time we reached this airy ridgetop, still some distance below Križ with more exposed climbing ahead.
	This is on Stage 3 Day 5 en route to Češka koča. Earlier today we had climbed Grintovec (2558m) from Cojzova koča, a fairly easy uphill plod. The descent from Grintovec to Češka koča was a different story though, with some serious via ferrata sections like the one in this photo.
	Some sections of snow walking between Grintovec and the narrow saddle called Dolška škrbina.
	We had time for a side trip to the summit of Kočna (2540m) and the route up here was a very exciting traverse of the mountainside in this photo. You can see the track going from right to left, hugging a ledge and cleft in the cliffline. At one point we had to crawl on all fours along a narrow ledge with a low roof!
	A very steep descent from Dolška škrbina to Češka koča involving some true via ferrata.
	Finally we reach the welcome sanctuary of Češka koča.
	Češka koča.

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Page created 25 Sep 2010, last updated 14 Oct 2010.


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