List of forums / Slovenia / Kamnik Savinja Alps / Above Ljubija Spring

Above Ljubija Spring

geppo6. 02. 2022 20:25:14

6.2.2022 Ljubija Spring ( andi2&geppo )
At 7 we park at Ljubija water intake -4.5 C. Path to spring icy. Spring "running full", despite one-month break in rain. We continue through gorge and look at sheer walls of Konečki cliffs. Looking for "key point" for descent from pasture (at end of trip), so not descending eroded forest paths. At end of gorge climb past Leskovšek farm. Along way check out Indiana Jones sinkhole right near farm (named by cavers). Path continuation up steep slope to Smrekovško pogorje. On road to Smrekovec hut. Icy, slippery. At junction head to Goltem - Atelsko sedlo (Kal, Isteje). More and more snow. First break at hunting hut on Žlebska planina 1320m asl. Search for hunting variant, quite tough - icy!! Climb to ridge to Konečka planina. Andrej wants to show viewpoint along way, extends path a bit - worth it!! Didn't know it, despite walking nearby.
Now just descent to Konečka planina. Some old markings found. Pasture shines in sun, despite weather front from west. Short break on Konečka planina. Now descent "killing" us whole way. Want something more adrenaline-filled than usual forest path. Find hunting trail that excites us right away. Nicely done between vertical cliffs and forest slopes. Joy ends soon, leads to wrong end. Decide on own descent to gorge, pull it off to "bottom", despite occasional issues, everyday in pathless! After 7 hours and 16 km walked, Sunday trip done.
Sinking snow, icy, holding snow, windpacked snow, bare, frozen bare - bit of everything!
Still plenty "secrets" to explore when snow gone!
cheers

Above Ljubija Spring Icy path through the gorge.

Above Ljubija Spring Ascent towards Smrekovec.

Above Ljubija Spring View back towards the gorge.

Above Ljubija Spring Sinkhole Indiana J.

Above Ljubija Spring View towards Brložki vrh and Sv. Križ.

Above Ljubija Spring Along the ridge towards Kal.

Above Ljubija Spring Towards Žlepska planina.

Above Ljubija Spring Difficult traverses await us.

Above Ljubija Spring Right leg and pole...The pole went all the way into the snow and the leg too.

Above Ljubija Spring Towards the viewpoint

Above Ljubija Spring God knows what he wished for when he rang !!

Above Ljubija Spring Farewell to Konečka planina

Above Ljubija Spring One last look at this corner

Above Ljubija Spring On the hunting route

Above Ljubija Spring Our route - Žrebetova drča

(+7)

andi26. 02. 2022 21:28:59

As you wrote. A bit of everything. Thanks for company, wanted several times to combine hike including both massifs from this side in one trip. Leskovška and Krčmanka are anyway places where I especially enjoy nature's beauty. Thanks again for stick, tracks and patience when I seriously messed up boot choice. Snow and ice much more than expected. And for that infallible nose that brought us through only weak point back to gorge nasmeh

And of course. Me and photos zavijanje z očmi

Took just one, at wish bell - safe return to enjoy these places. cheers

(+3)

geppo16. 03. 2022 20:16:50

3.3.2022 and 16.3.2022 Konečka planina and Brloški vrh
With Milan we tackled more thorough exploration of these ends. Had some basics now, more about details. First task hunting path. From Ljubijski graben towards Zaloka searching where to hit it? Had good "nose" and found it. Along way found "marked" path to Konečka planina. Marked with white arrows. Discreet, small arrows, visible. Not like recent "home" messes with sprays, carving symbols on trees etc. But today not interested in "marked", but hunting.
Followed hunting nicely, though not much used. Tough were some icy frozen sections we barely overcame. But made it to Konečka planina then just descent via path back to start (water pump below Ljubija Spring).
Today ascent to Brloški vrh. 16.3.2022
Start again water pump. Beginning icy, barely climbed first meters. Later ice no obstacle, but demanding ascent. Hunters don't use this path anymore, not maintained. Any slip to overhangs catastrophic for who "affords" it. Every root welcome and we warmed up well. Hunting seems to go down, we continued in rocks. Everything you grab and pull stays in hand. Otherwise climbing not hard, much easier ascent than in forest. When reach summit descend to saddle - Sp. Brložnik. Continue to Leskovšek search white arrows for Konečka pl. Follow them easily to chapel on Konečka planina, first break. Descend to hunting path but steep gully attracts. Descend it to hunting, along explore Konečki peči. Search Žrebetova drča and down it to graben. Lower part under leaves icy, slips and falls follow.
Last part of tour takes toll: twisted stick, painful swollen knee and shoulder pains - everyone pays something!
cheers
Morning +6C some rain drops (car barely recognized on return - sanded). Some wind, otherwise mostly cloudy. North sides still much frozen and icy sections. Most dangerous those covered by leaves. Interesting areas for exploring. Can choose ascents descents not tough on edge of walks or quite demanding that can soon turn serious and tough!

From Ljubijski graben towards Zaloka 3.3.2022

We treat ourselves to a snack and rest in the sun 3.3.2022

Follow the descent to the forest road and along it to the starting point 3.3.2022

After approx. 6 hours we are back at the starting point 3.3.2022

Dangerous ascent. A slip takes you back to the starting point 16.3.2022

What is this for and why is it mounted on the tree??? 16.3.2022

Along the ridge towards the summit 16.3.2022

Continuing towards Sp. Brložnik, Leskovška 16.3.2022

Tak, tak, that's how we were communicating - Melanšak farm 16.3.2022

And finally Konečka planina with chapel 16.3.2022

Zaseka (made in Ptuj), ham, beer etc. 16.3.2022

Wish bell. Already third time this year I ring... 16.3.2022

We treat ourselves to a steep descent 16.3.2022

By the markings we determine where the projectile came from? - Ukraine or USSR?

Into the shelter to safety, if another one comes? 16.3.2022

Inadequate shelter for this type of projectiles 16.3.2022

I'm going elsewhere because Milan is already crawling in, maybe no space for both? 16.3.2022

Does not continue further in the wall 16.3.2022

At Milan's there are more ledges and it's safer 16.3.2022.

Further exploration of the cave requires climbing.

Descent on Žrebetova drča. Both literally roll onto the plain. 16.3.2022.

After 6 hours back in the ravine and a few more meters to the exit 16.3.2022.

(+4)

andi217. 03. 2022 05:22:08

Very nice, bravo Zlatko! And witty comments that fit these war storm days nasmeh

A bit relieved about my assessment of the path to Brloški vrh nasmeh

a few meters stuck in memory as - grab every rootlet - later didn't know if from fear or real velik nasmeh

well, you two tough guys had a similar feeling. Hope ice soon gone from these places too, to enjoy more nasmeh

(+1)

geppo17. 03. 2022 10:19:02

andi2
Ascent to overhangs exposed, tons of dry leaves (slippery). Every root welcome! Few climb up here anymore, looks like.

You assessed that well on your ascent!
Possible slip wouldn't end well.

Further in rocks not so bad, just everything stays in hand and be careful.
You'll have plenty of work in this end.
Think hunting path connects further to one from Zabreška planina (part we walked) when wandering there - found continuation that way!
lp

geppo29. 03. 2022 08:30:53

28.3.2022 Exploring above spring
Morning in gorge cold, put on gloves and hat. Path icy, careful!!
Ascent white arrows now known. Above 1000m asl remnants windpacked snow sinking to knees. Getting warmer, extra clothes in backpack. Check Gabrova hut. Hidden, remote. Probably few visitors (except locals) - judging by snow tracks. Bees at hive so lively, hardly dare close. Guarding bottle homemade cherry brandy 2018 vintage. At chapel ring fourth time this year. Maybe once more this spring, then peace to these ends till autumn... no promise cool

Further exploring tough. Slide few meters down slope luckily spot rotten stump below use as anchor. Pants torn, hands bloody, full adrenaline slowly downclimb carefully continue. But no real will left!
Down path to gorge. As usual below turn into "blind" path (one branch too high). Short way down quarry edge back to right path and there true left section. Few minutes back at start.
In Ljubija wash dried blood, dust and sit in dusty car. Glance at Brloški vrh cliffs we climbed last with Milan - tough!
lp

The badger found shelter in the cave. I take a photo and retreat from it because it was quite nervous

They guard the schnapps in the apiary. I had to make quite an effort for this photo. None stung me.

Sp. Brloški vrh. The approach variant from the pumping station is difficult. The easier one is from the parking lot for Smrekovec - Brložnik

(+5)

andi229. 03. 2022 09:58:34

Take care Zlatko, got more to hike! Gabrova hut really nicely placed, wondered on visit two years ago who has such good spot and hobby. Only in winter no bees nasmeh

Yes, Brloški spurs and little one next invite looks... lp

(+4)

geppo16. 03. 2023 16:44:00

16.3.2023 Ljubija Spring
First morning check spring. Air temp 0 C everything still frozen. Then up hunting path to - Spodnji Brloški vrh 1035m. Ascent quite demanding - slip dangerous!!
From here past Sp. Brložnik, Leskovšek up to Konečka planina. Some snow left crust holds without sinking. On benches by chapel break and refresh soul and body. View fantastic.
From here across hunting path to Žrebetova drča and down it back to Ljubija gorge. After 6 hours at start.
On Konečka planina some snow holds in cold mornings without sinking.
Whole path unmarked!!
Hunting ascent to Spodnji Brloški vrh for experienced pathless!!
lp

(+8)

andi217. 03. 2023 05:46:43

Very nice trip you had! Spotted some "such" bits here, hope they succeed sometime. Did you go pet the badger? nasmeh

? Cheers

(+1)

geppo17. 03. 2023 07:42:46

Went to the cave to check if badger still has home, no more.
But above cave in snow found colleague's bear tracks. That would be interesting cave meeting cool

cheers

(+1)

andi217. 03. 2023 19:14:10

Ugh, that would be cardiac arrest for me velik nasmeh

areas between Goltmi and Smrekovec really extremely lonely.

(+1)

geppo21. 02. 2024 17:50:02

21.2.2024 Ljubija - Konečka planina
I parked the car at Mlačnik farm, past which the marked trail to Šmihelja goes. Followed the marked for a few hundred meters, then turned right towards Konečka planina. To Konečko past Potočnik and a few meters on the forest road. Left it and went my own way to the top. Went well for me!
At the top by the chapel snacked in the sun. Descended the ridge which became increasingly exposed, all the way to the hunting traverse. Along it across to the west. When I reach Ljubijski graben surprise awaits. Forest road only a few meters, then all devastation. What the torrent didn't carry flew from both steep sides of the graben. Crawling under trunks and searching passages. Worst still ahead from the spring on. To keep socks dry takes quite effort!!
Now a few more km on the road closed to all traffic. Lots of diggers, workers renovating slopes, bridges, road. Lots of work awaits them. For Ljubijski graben I doubt if I'll wait for its renovation...
lp

Finally I manage to crawl out of the ravine onto the road

(+7)

andi222. 02. 2024 05:11:17

I can't believe it. So the graben as we knew it no longer exists. And I was planning to visit it once with skis, as the guys told stories about going back...

(+1)

geppo22. 02. 2024 08:11:15

Graben is completely destroyed. Even for crossing it's dangerous and quite demanding. There are only animal tracks, people don't walk on it. At the start (water pumping station) it's almost impossible to pass without getting wet. I tried damn hard because then I still had cck 5 km walk on the road to the starting point. Drče (Žrebetova, Jelenova) have slid in the lower part and the descent is dangerous. Access from the graben to Brloški vrh was torn away by avalanche. I doubt they'll renovate the whole thing. Maybe to the spring?
lp

This is at the beginning (from above), where a few meters of the road are still visible. Then you can hardly trace it anywhere.

(+2)

andi222. 02. 2024 10:28:14

You're probably right about the renovation. Thanks for taking such careful photos, because there were still some ideas. To Konečka there are some nice passages from this side as you went, but it won't be the same as rounded from the spring. From Leskovška to the valley only marked to the other side anymore, and even more road back.

(+1)

geppo21. 04. 2025 17:24:40

21.4.2025 Ljubijski graben
Ljubijski graben is renovated. I never expected anyone to succeed from that devastation. All thanks to farmer Konečnik who made it. Peasant stubbornness and more!! Result more than expected!! cool

Today after a year I met him at the chapel and congratulated him. Drank schnapps, beer and then each to his end in the valley.
lp