There was a little bit of sun in the morning but it was predicted to vanish so we set off from the hut for a shorter walk aiming for the mountain Razor instead of the more ambitious plan of Škrlatica.
It was a steep ascent and sections were protected with steel cable. The weather began to deteriorate and we weren’t moving fast enough to get to the summit in time so instead we went to the saddle. Ari, Pedro and Johannes started heading down and I walked the last 10 minutes up to the summit of a smaller mountain Planja. From there I had views down into the valleys where the sun was still shining. The rock was a little wet on the way down and I took care descending the steep section using the steel rope to help.
We ate soup at the hut and got ready for more rain. The sun came out. A little perplexed by the weather, Johannes and I decided to head out again. We set off towards the saddle below the mountain Bovški Gamsovec, a half an hour’s walk from the hut. I stopped briefly to coat my face in sun block. Unknown to me, this was in fact the special signal for the rain to start. Another 5 minutes later, as I dug around in my pack, I discovered I’d forgotten my rain jacket . We continued, the rain grew heavier, we returned to the hut.
There was another chance in the evening and I headed out again, walking back to the saddle. I then following the little path along the ridge up to Bovški Gamsovec, stepping around the mountain goats littering the track. It became steep and narrow, clinging to the side of the ridge. There were big drops down to my right and I put on my climbing harness so I could clip into the metal rope that was present in parts. The track isn’t technical, just exposed. Leonie and I walked this way in the past.
With some more scrambling I reached the summit. Triglav was obscured by mist but I could see down towards the little biv that Leonie and I used to stay at in the past, the same one that I visited with Chris and Emily years ago. I could also see the little route that we’d taken up towards Triglav. I took some photos and then took note of the darkening sky in the distance.
I descended as mist started to roll up from the valley. As I continued back to the hut I looked back up at the ridge and saw it, or more accurately didn’t see it. The mist had engulfed the summit and ridge. I was happy to have got down in time. As the sky became darker it began to rain and the visibility began to drop around the track. I started jogging, not wanting to get caught out in the lime stone terrain full of sink holes. It was still clear as I peered over to the hut from the last small hill. Ari was waiting outside ready to radio me for our scheduled check in. I looked back at the ridge, now dark and unfriendly.
Dinner was very similar to lunch but still quite tasty.
