Middle-aged flash packers

The title says it all so I could just leave it at that but it would not do justice to what an absolutely epic day yesterday was.(Wednesday 6/9)

Every Slovenian we spoke to, including our current “landlord” , told us to summit Triglav peak the same day as climbing and not the following morning as tradition dictates. Usually people stay at the Dom Planika refuge hut overnight then climb the summit early in the morning but the weather forecast for Thursday was for dangerous conditions on the peak.

This meant we had a tough day ahead – approximately 5 hours to the hut, then another 2.5 hours to get up and back down the summit, not including any comfort stops. A total of 2050 metres of ascent.

We set off from Rudno Polje at 8.30am on the dot. Arriving at Vodnikov Dom  hut by 11.30/12noon would mean we were on target.

The trail starts off very promisingly with a wide track leading up into the forest. From here the track winds its way up and down to a steep flank, leading up to a saddle with a crossroads.

The path is well marked with a red and white “bullseye” symbol painted on to rocks along the way. There are also red signposts that indicate how far various waypoints are.

These signposts caused considerable consternation at first as it appeared that every time we reached one, we had made very little progress and had hours still to go. Obviously time was of the essence as we would not want to be coming down from the peak in the dark!

We were all very relieved when we reached the Vodnikov hut and realised that we were on track for reaching Dom Planika on time.

It was the most stunning day. I still can’t believe how lucky we were to have such magnificent weather to walk in. Warm and sunny, we were surrounded by mountains vying with each other to show off their fabulous peaks. 

Steve and I reached Dom Planika just before 2pm and went to check in. First blip of the day – we couldn’t check in until 3pm. We couldn’t even confirm which rooms we could have even though my confirmed booking said 2 x 2 bedroomed rooms. (It later transpired that they only have 1 two-bedded room, so we all ended up in a four bedded room, Go figure!)

After much cogitation, the girls on the desk went to talk to the shadowy reservations manager (she who doesn’t show her face) who said our booking would be honoured but we’d need to be back at the hut by 5pm to confirm it.

This left us with a dilemma as Nik and Jan had been walking at a slower pace and we didn’t know quite how far behind us they were.If we waited for them would we miss our summitting opportunity? Jan wasn’t sure that she would be able to do the peak so it could mean Nik being alone on the mountain. Should we stay or should we go? (The Clash 1982)

In the end we decided to wait and luckily Nik and Jan appeared soon after. Then another issue, shadowy reservation lady was too busy to check anyone in until 3.30pm! FFS!

Luckily for us but sad for her, Jan decided not to summit and she was able to sort it all out for us while Steve, Nik and I set off on the final push.

Oh.My.God. I was not expecting sheer drops on either side of a very sharp ridge. Cables and metal bars are there for you to grab onto to stop you slipping off to a horrible death, bouncing off the rocks below. Yes you do think of that while clinging to a rope wire, trying not to look down.

It’s one of those peaks that goes on and on, every time you think you are almost at the top, another ridge appears. 

Eventually we arrived. Knackered but exhilarated. Also wondering what the hell it was going to be like on the way down. 

Erh, hard. Especially when you are at the end of your energy.

But we made it. WE MADE IT!

Knackered, we all retired to our room – 2 sets of bunk beds. I haven’t slept in a bunk bed since we climbed Kinabalu about 8 years ago. I haven’t missed it. Especially the going to the loo in the middle of the night. However, Jan and Nik are excellent bedroom companions. I shall say no more.

The next morning, after a very unsatisfying breakfast, we were up and out, on our way down Triglav. 

The weather started out ok but deteriorated as we headed down the mountain. 

We had a leisurely stop at Vodnikov hut where at about 9.30am we were eating spag bol and Nutella pancakes and enjoying a beautiful toilet with running water, soap and a mirror! It was a wrench to leave but by 10.30am we were continuing our descent down the mountain and by 3 we were home.
A great adventure with excellent walking buddies – done.
But what next???

P.s yesterday I had the temerity to say we were lost on our return to Stara Fuzina. We were not , I am informed it had all been planned down to the last detail. In true journalist fashion, I can only apologise for my error.