Hiking-trail.net
hiking-trail.net
Login
Login
Username:
Password:
Login
Not registered yet? Registration.
Forgot password?
      

Žakelj's bivouac on "Stebrasta skala" Mežakla

Print
heinz17. 11. 2009 09:35:59
On Friday I set off to Alojzij Žakelj's bivouac, the one in the north wall of Mežakla (he's built several indeed).
Let me say that Lojz with this project of his (paths, locations and all the rest) has well taken care of an exciting adventure experience for us visitors. The path to the bivouac, starting along the former power line route to the Škrbina transmitter, is cleverly laid out and mostly well marked, the ascent to the rock spur, which Žakelj named Stebrasta Skala, is quite (or even very) demanding, as on some parts the path is so narrow it requires crawling along the edge of a wet ledge. The crossing over the deep notch to the bivouac is a narrow wooden footbridge (no cables or holds), where we must provide our own protection. Wet footwear or muddy soles can cost us dearly here.
It's worth noting that Žakelj on this final, most dangerous section of the path has well provided pitons for clipping into, providing the possibility of self-belaying, which is certainly useful here.

The bivouac and its surroundings are really exemplarily maintained.

Jesenice should be proud and grateful to Alojzij Žakelj.

Safe travels, heinz!
Žakelj's bivouac on Stebrasta skala Mežakla bivouac which is visible from the top of Stebrasta Skala1
Žakelj's bivouac on Stebrasta skala Mežakla 2
Žakelj's bivouac on Stebrasta skala Mežakla 3
Žakelj's bivouac on Stebrasta skala Mežakla path that requires crawling on the ledge (behind visible Stebrasta Skala on which the bivouac stands)4
Žakelj's bivouac on Stebrasta skala Mežakla 5
Žakelj's bivouac on Stebrasta skala Mežakla 6
Žakelj's bivouac on Stebrasta skala Mežakla 7
Žakelj's bivouac on Stebrasta skala Mežakla 8
Žakelj's bivouac on Stebrasta skala Mežakla Stebrasta Skala, notch and little bridge (protected vertical climbing on the left wall also possible)9
like
heinz17. 11. 2009 16:29:09
I'm attaching a link to the shortened version of the film about Alojzij Žakelj from Jesenice, "Modra je nebo" or "Blue is the sky", which besides showing Lojz's life under Triglav, also contains nice shots of the aforementioned bivouac on Stebrasta Skala Mežakla:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hphSZJ2h8II

Correction to the comment on pic 9: "protected vertical climbing on the right (instead of left) wall is also possible; based on the photo.
I recommend watching the short film, LP Heinz!
like
FLEKSARCA17. 11. 2009 19:04:43
A couple of years ago I went up to check it out. The guy really took his time and set up a neat bivouac, from which there's a beautiful view of Jesenice and surrounding hills. Sometime I have to go see the bivouac at Morbegna too, the highest dwelling in Slovenia as he would say. Yeah, our Žakelj is a character.
like
CAR18. 11. 2009 09:56:24
I'm interested if someone can describe in detail the access to the rock starting point. For example if I'm coming from Tržič direction. LP
like
heinz18. 11. 2009 19:36:53
The start of the path is the same as the described path Podmežakla-Škrbina (along the power line). After about 10 min ascent we come across a path where you notice marks on the rocks - red lines that direct us left.. etc.
For now that's it. If I meet Lojze soon, I'll ask him if it's ok to make a description. Of course anyone else can do it too, but I think it's right to ask the owner/maker's opinion first.
Or not... (my subjective view)
LP heinz!
like
CAR21. 11. 2009 22:33:24
Thanks for the explanation, I think Alojz won't mind if I also enjoy the beautiful view from the bivouac he built, but if his intention was to retreat to his peace in this bivouac, I'll respect his wish and won't disturb his peace. LP
like
heinz22. 11. 2009 06:23:53
Of course Žakelj doesn't mind at all if anyone visits this bivouac, since he has well marked the entire path with his marks, which suggests he expects some visits.
Lately it's said you rarely meet him at the bivouac. But apparently he likes to debate with everyone who comes up.
like
heinz31. 10. 2010 10:18:00
Yesterday I visited Lojz's Jesenice castle, i.e. A.Ž.B.S.S., and decided to make a description - considering that there are also descriptions of accesses to Morbegno and to the bivouac at Jerebikovec. I did meet Lojze once during this, but there was no time to ask for permission, besides he invited me to drop by S.S. again. Also the logbook in the bivouac ultimately shows that visits are welcome.
This time I protected myself on the ascent to the rock by clipping into the pitons.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
climbing path - via ferrata above the bivouac9
10
11
12
like
zippo2. 11. 2010 12:14:29
Pff, this is just some ordinary shack. What if some other weirdos start building stuff like this illegally?

One wonders why they had to demolish Strojev's lab on Dobrča, which was completely unobtrusive.

Compared to this "Benetton-lair", even that April Fool's bivouac is a pinnacle of aesthetics:

http://www.gore-ljudje.net/novosti/3015/#19700101010000
(+1)like
Žan2. 11. 2010 12:48:36
To me this goblin stuff is totally likable. Such achievements belong in our mountains too.

Regarding the difference with Stroj's mansion: Stroj would still have his shack in the mountains if he had followed rules of good behavior. If he had gone up on foot and not by helicopter and if he hadn't lit up his weekend house with powerful spotlights so it shone from afar like some bloated ass, so that no one (not even authorities) could overlook it.
like
heinz2. 11. 2010 13:24:01
zippo, when you visit it (assuming you're qualified) you'll regret what you said (wrote). At such an inaccessible spot as S.S., to build such a well-fitted little house from wood like Žakelj's bivouac and equip it with everything needed (even a small gas stove inside), and to secure and equip the access climbing path, which moreover continues on the adjacent rock towards the top of the wall, is great art that requires years of persistence and a lot of love for living and enjoying everything mountains, rocks, nature can offer..
Anyone who doesn't understand this should climb up to this hard-to-reach corner sometime and reflect on the wealth of solitude enjoyment that one small, diligent and loving man - Lojz Žakelj! - has enabled us (not just for himself).
Stroj clearly built only for himself! Don't mix apples with pears...
A wooden bivouac doesn't even count as construction..
Look at it up close.. and everything (as to me) will be clear to you.
Safe travels, friends!
like
katica2. 11. 2010 14:00:18
"On such an inaccessible point as S.S., to build such a well-secured little house from wood."

Bravo, heinz! You hit the essence. Also because of the above quote this contraption does not belong in nature. Where will man go with his strange inventions?! Where do you see love for nature? This is violence against nature, against its most inaccessible parts. OK, Jesenice residents honor Žakelj, you say even RTV filmed him. And that should be the reason it's tip-top. They also filmed documentaries about other things (e.g. other illegal interventions in the landscape - which includes Žakelj's "masterpiece"), but because of that it's still not legal, just interesting for the public. Like your townsman whom you praise to the stars. What will you say when he or some like-minded person (bad examples pull!) makes such a bivouac on some hard-to-reach summit of the Martuljek or Trent Mountains? Will you also say: "On such an inaccessible point as S.S. (or summit from previous paragraph), to build such a well-fortified little house like Žakelj's bivouac from wood and equip it with everything needed (even small gas stove inside), and secure and equip the climbing access path which in addition continues on the adjacent rock towards the top of the wall, is great art that requires long-term persistence and a large dose of love for living and enjoying everything that mountains, rocks, nature can offer you.."

Almost everyone can reach this colorful Žakelj's little house if they try a little, but to the summits from the previous sentence, on which some of us have already been, only rarely does anyone go. As far as I know, you are not among them, because you treat access to S.S. as some mountain achievement.

If weirdo Žakelj starts shedding his fur up there too (how does the saying about the donkey and fur go?), we will organize other kinds of "weirdos" and definitely prevent your fellow townsman from further illegal littering of hard-to-access places!



like
heinz2. 11. 2010 14:18:34
uf, katica!
you sure know your stuff...probably you'll go "far" in life.. let's leave it, you're probably already quite far..
unfortunately we can't discuss.

uf, katica !!
like
bari2. 11. 2010 14:44:14
heinz, you're not the first to run out of words in front of a sharp-tongued lady zadrega

Sort of, but she did write well... nasmeh
(+1)like
velesa2. 11. 2010 15:16:40
Ojoj, zippo and katica, don't you think you're rude and insulting Lojze? Just how many insults to read in your comments. Put yourself in his shoes and imagine someone hidden behind a nickname writes like that about you - maybe even an acquaintance or friend. And publicly. Many know Lojze, us maybe under fake names, no one.
I doubt that everyone would dare write like that if they appeared with real names. It would be good to reveal yourselves, as was once suggested, but only a few decided for it.
Haven't visited the bivouac yet, but I dare say it's not neglected, but personally tended. And its colors have a certain meaning for Lojze. The bivouac has been there for some years and only now you started "stumbling" over it!
And bari, she didn't write well! Have a nice day!
like
aljazek2. 11. 2010 15:40:44
Extremely tasteless bivouac...I'll rather say: ugly!
(+2)like
prokofjev2. 11. 2010 15:51:51
Wonderful, phenomenal structure from which national pride for mountains emanates.

It should be moved to a mountaineering museum so future generations can admire it too.
like
heinz2. 11. 2010 16:04:45
Yes, velesa, unfortunately there are among us those who have too "civilized" opinion about Lojze's doing, while it doesn't even cross their mind to spend e.g. whole 41 days in mountains together, like Lojz already spent under Triglav on Morbagni and elsewhere.., but they say,.. and even present themselves publicly!!!..-that they are some kind of LOVERS of nature, mountains etc.. They themselves are not capable even of loving people similar to themselves (as if) -those who really love nature and mountains. Simply - they are not! How then could they be capable of loving what they say they love: nature and crown of nature - people???
And shall we believe them that they are real? That they even belong here? To this forum? Or rather that they belong more to some political cabinet??
Do they even realize that there are no more such Žakljs in Slovenia, while they say "what if everyone.. etc".. Who of them thinks of "wasting" so much "precious" time for building some very modest bivouac and then staying in it?? And finally dedicate it to general use? Those who so vehemently spit on something they themselves couldn't create even in dreams and carry out!! No wonder they then count themselves as "slovenceljni" - lovers of I don't know what..? Nature and people who love it, definitely not! Their internalized ideas? Oh yes, that already. And only that.
If Aljaž or Kugy appeared this moment, such potentates would probably lynch them now..- just like they would like to do here with Alojz - the only real mountaineer - man who lives with mountains and in mountains!
City heads who every day care for nothing else but reading yellow press and political paragraphs written by their favorite option, so to glorify themselves on that basis and achieve their essence, their meaning, meaning of their existence, at the same time showing themselves in light of people's, lovers of people, diversity and living and non-living nature, but on the other hand each thinks of their richly cut ecological piece of cake... since one lives only once, right?,... you see, city heads, want to become people like this?, mountaineers?, hikers? and I don't know what else??
Unfortunately velesa, there are thus among us also such who don't belong here.
like
sherpa2. 11. 2010 16:17:27
Oh Mary, heinz. Now you've almost strayed like viharnik in one of his "better" performances. eek

Two comments on your writing:

"How then could they be capable of loving what they say they love: nature and crown of nature - people???"

We humans are the scum of nature and not its crown. Look around a bit, what we do to it. No need to go far. Look at Karavanke on Belska planina, or at Mežakla and your beloved colorful hut.

"If Aljaž or Kugy appeared this moment, such potentates would probably lynch them now..- "

Kugy wouldn't need it, because he never built such things. In fact he firmly opposed them.
like
iskalec2. 11. 2010 16:18:07
The bivouac reminds me of Hundertwasser's buildings in Vienna and elsewhere in Austria.
(+1)like
Majdag2. 11. 2010 16:19:17


Don't give up heinz, bravo...
like
Page:123...678
You must log in to post a comment:
Username:
Password:
Login
If you do not yet have a username, you must first register.
         
Copyright © 2026 Hiking-trail.net, Terms of use, Privacy and cookies