| Trobec7. 08. 2019 20:26:49 |
I promised Valentina some time ago that this year I'd take her to the queen of the Julian Alps. Several members of our "standard hiking group" had a similar wish. But when the opportunity arises... most don't take it.
Anyway, the plan was set, but due to the weather forecast everyone was on edge. Will it, won't it,... it will! Let's go! Actually, despite numerous "other opinions," I never really doubted the weather would be suitable.
Starting at 6:30 we weren't the earliest in Vrata by far. To Bivak Rušje without any issues and even a bit faster than planned. After a break we continue. Somewhere above Prednji Dolek a helicopter circles above us. Then again. Like scouting the terrain... or looking for someone. Not a good sign. Then it hovers near the wall of Spodnji Rokav, and a rescuer starts descending on a rope. No, that's not good at all.
At the spot where the path turns left and starts ascending towards Zadnji Dolek, two hikers sit watching the scene.
"Do you know what happened?"
"Two were climbing, one fell."
Moment of silence, heart squeezes a bit. "Good luck!" and we continue on the path. Some are already returning, about the same time as us two more groups bite into the Škrlatica wall. The path was recently renovated, some slings still shine. Otherwise as I remember it – nicely routed through natural passages with just the right amount of iron, not too little, not too much.
We stayed quite long at the top, then clouds started gathering around, which I didn't like too much. Anja agreed, and she already knows about weather. And just during the break before attacking Rdeča škrbina I felt two tiny drops on my hand. That was it. The sky always showed we were on the edge of rain – which didn't come. In short, the decision for the mountains was right.
The path to Rdeča škrbina is not something you'd want to walk every day. And if Dolkova Špica was still in the plan a bit earlier, at the top of the notch when I asked if anyone had a special wish to go up, I got two no's. We continue towards Križ. There was still some path left. But the "worst" part is behind. Towards Križ without issues, same for descent to the hut with nice view of Gornje and Srednje jezero. At the hut very lively. And some familiar faces. A couple more we met anew 
They say for a "normal" bed you need to reserve 10 days in advance. But the emergency mattresses are quite comfortable. The hut also gets a big stamp from the friendly and energetic young caretakers.
On Sunday a much shorter path awaited us. "Just" to Razor and down. Soon after start an unpleasant feeling, like towards Rdeča škrbina. On the scree section storms did their thing. Up further without issues. Before entering the secured part a short break, as some were already descending. Meanwhile thinking how I like this part much less than Škrlatica, which is the prototype ZZ path, Razor more like a via ferrata. But ok, probably it's really the only compact and stable rock section where a path could be made after the last rockfall. Everything else is quite loose.
On descent we meet quite a few hikers, some known from the hut, some obviously from the valley. At the hut again quite festive, but still some free loungers found Could have stayed in that position longer... but Sovatna was waiting. And in the valley tour analysis over beer
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