Ascent of Triglav (2864m, 9396 feet)
This is a statue in Bohinjsko Jezero of the first climbers of Triglav, with the outstretched arm point to the peak. They were Lovrenc Willomitzer, Luka Korosec, Stefan Rozic and Matija Kos who climbed Triglav in 1778.
Fresh snow covered the peak after our arrival at Bohinj and we were warned that it might be difficult. The weather at the start of the week had been cool and wet, so we delayed going to Triglav until the end of the week.
We set out early on the Wednesday taking taxis to Rudno Polje, which is where the walk started through the pine forests. Eventually we climbed above the forest with views opening up back towards Lake Bohinj.
From here there was a steady climb to the Stadorski preval (1892m) pass. The rocks here had a good display of Dwarf alpenrose (Rhodothamnus chamaecistus) and other common limestone loving alpines.
We stopped at the pass to enjoy the views looking back and looking forwards towards the higher peaks. From here the path led gradually higher as we approached Vodnikov Dom (1817m) for our lunch stop.
The hut has an impressive view over the peaks of the National Park.
After the hut the path got steeper and in places covered by snow as it circled round Triglav towards Konjsko sedlo (2020m) where further paths crossed ours.
We eventually gained our first views of Triglavski Dom, with a final steep snow covered path up to the hut. We reached the hut about 4pm.
Triglavski Dom was really very cosy, apart from the wash-room which is slung out over the edge of the cliff and was unheated. Paper sheet sleeping bags were provided. The hut had its own phone and computers.
The route up to the summit starts by descending below the hut and climbing up fresh snow to reach the first spikes. From there spikes and fixed cables lead up to the lower peak and then along the ridge to the summit. Looking at it from distance the route looks difficult, but I guess that in good conditions it would only take an hour to the top. Only three of us attempted it. There was snow along the route, which slowed us down a little, but the wind was not too strong or blustery and I could climb without gloves. There were only a few other people climbing Triglav that day; two youths, using carabinas, with a guide passed us on the way down but that was all. I think it would have been much more difficult and slower if there had been a lot of climbers needing to pass.
The first section up to the lower peak going up spikes.
View towards the hut from the lower peak.
George going up the ridge
View from the summit along the ridge. This looks impressive, but there are cables all along the ridge.
