It was an early summer morning. We've gotten up at 4 am and had a good hour and a half of driving behind us. Sun was just getting up and colors were magical. Mist was in the air, grass was wet and the air around us was fresh. Pristine alpine nature, high above a sleeping city, we've left behind. It was the end of July and the day is going to be hot. Really hot. Perfect day for a hike.
We were going to climb Mt Planjava 2394m in Slovenian Alps. The hike started as we crossed a high-altitude pasture and then quickly gained height through a steep spruce forest. Nothing better to get your blood pump activated. As we passed the forest line at 1800m the views changed. Landscape around us was now dominated by dwarf pine trees. Hike led us on a mountain pass and then down to a high plateau. Suddenly, a beautiful alpine valley that was bathing in the morning sun was lying in front of us. Hidden from the world below, and protected by high mountains all around, it was like nature saying welcome. By doing the hard part, getting up in the middle of the night and getting here, you have gained the right to enjoy the views that I have to offer.
We moved further through the valley and the mountains around it became more formidable, a specially Mt. Ojstrica (2350m) was showing all her glory. Considering that this is her south face the mountain still looks qoute rough. Her north face is another story ;)
As we passed the base of Mt Ojstrica on the right and pushed further through the valley, another surprise was waiting for us just a little bit lower – the greenest possible place on planet Earth called Korosica basin (1808m). The beautiful alpine pasture surrounded with high mountains and a small lodge that we chose for our first stop. (Mt. Lucki Dedec (2023m) can be seen on the picture below)
Look back on the track and a small pass above at the base of Mt Ojstrica on the left.
After a quick chow and a generous amount of sunscreen applied it was time to move. Sun was getting higher and we wanted to escape its heat to a higher altitude – not that that really helps. Our destination was finally revealed. First glimpse of Mt Planjava. We had a long day in front of us.
We tracked the mountain trail higher. The world around was now increasingly alpine. Mostly rocks and patches of grass. Pine trees and bushes were now completely gone. We were above 2000m. Look back on the trail and green patches of Korosica basin in the left of the image.
As you can see, the heat was beginning to take its toll :)
But the views were magnificent.
It always amazes me how you can find snow high up in the mountains even in the full heat of the summer. Temperatures in the city of Ljubljana that is just 30 kilometers away, were 35° C on that day. This was almost at the summit though.
Finally, a view from the summit and a long way back that we'll have to take
After a long pit stop at the summit, we had to begin with our long descent. Here are just a few images I've taken on the way down. All photos were taken by me with my trusted Nikon D750 and a Afs Nikkor 20mm f1.8G, Afs Nikkor 35mm f2D and a Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 VC. Great but heavy equipment that I usually log around on my hikes and climbs. I've had many instances when I just wanted to sell it all and buy a smallish Fuji or a Panasonic, but couldn't. At the end of the day, image quality and amazing leverage, that this sensor allows you, in regard of shadow recovery still wins. This is maybe not visible here, as this is more of a photo reportage of our hike, where a small camera would work just as well, but certainly a factor when you go out with a tripod to get that perfect one shot.
