Jalovec If it were a number would be the one, and soaring straight up, champion of the Slovenian mountains to climb and difficulties. If it were a color it would be the dazzling white of a spire of ice, or a bold diamond-cut pointing to the sky. If it were a man would be the lover that all women dream of: beautiful, cheeky and a bit 'dangerous. The
Jalovec Planinska Zveza is the symbol of Slovenian and is a dream I've cherished for years. I did not feel ready, I wanted to be special and waited patiently for the right time, but in reality I feared it and it made me postpone the event. But after so many experiences, often harsh and difficult, after having built a thick rind of humility, the right moment has arrived.
is approaching a red-hot August, we have a free day and a half and a strong anticyclone dispels the anxiety of time: two in the afternoon we start for the second time in a week, towards the Valley. We come together in droves to Izvir Soce of lazy tourists hot, then take a short dirt road into the valley to the farm Flori, where few cars present evidence that even the Slovenians have some reservations to get a bunch like the days of August. The
Jalovec is invisible from here, but the sign informs us that 6 long hours are necessary to reach the top, we can limit ourselves to three to reach the refuge Zavetisce Pod Spickom and spend the night.
The climb goes up immediately determined, as to warn that we are not here to comb the dolls: long switchbacks to climb a steep slope that define an understatement. The Cecchi has just eaten a sandwich that accentuates the gravitational effect of the anvil on the shoulders and annoying digestive outcomes. Sweating is abundant in the humid forest, even if it is late afternoon, and we must stop drinking in repetition. The climb continues
supported but the presence of increasingly sparse coniferous announces the end of the forest. Sull'aspro plodding path to the amazing flowers you can start to look run on the peaks last seen: Prisojnik, Razor Triglav and shine the light of the sunset and also appears Spickom, which slopes to the refuge stands.
I see it, finally, the last part is, if possible, even steeper.
E 'already evening when, sweat soaked, we come to the narrow terrace overlooking a view layer. Maria and Nadia are waiting with dinner in a warm smile and cold beer to quench their thirst there. It 's small but very cozy, this little gem spartan accommodations in Slovenia, we will test with a delicious barley soup, served with smiles and kindness in the unusual warmth of the tiny dining room. We
twenty to divide this house two thousand feet, waiting for the night in the silence of the sidereal eve of August. The rooms are comfortable and well prepared, and when you turn on the stars, we all huddled in our beds waiting for the nightly serenades. Sandwiched between the occasional hut mates, spend the night with a Background Stereophonic saws in action, but with the magic of night out under the stars that seem to fall on and a crescent moon reflected on the rocks white.
Dawn finds me perky, despite the almost sleepless night, and the sunrise behind the Razor is the latest spectacle from the refuge. Both efficient and thoughtful gentleman there to feed poor duty and chatting happily in a strange colorful language, with which we intend to perfection. At 6 and a half we were ready to go and find out what really lies That sour rock wall pointing toward the sky. After a gravel strewn with large boulders with mysterious writings, starting with the first equipment, I followed the advice of Dr. peaks and no harness but I confess that I have some doubts. The Bosi, however, wear any kind of garrison security in its possession, and the weighted irons and ropes, he began to puff like a cement mixer.
We queued for a couple of Slovenians in age, so much for taking it easy, and the path goes up tight as the steel wires that sometimes accompanies it. We're going to
Ozbenik, a gentleman by nature rough and angular, clearly envious of his more famous neighbor, who was giving it his all to cut the legs of those who pass through without bothering to care and the mere thought of the goal. And he takes revenge with a first degree and hostile terrain, that makes it a bit 'nervous.
Luckily our tread, both over sixty, are quiet and contemplative, and almost without sweat, we get to Brett for the last seat plane section of the route.
What we expect from here on out is still a short climb and the final ridge, a spur sharp and steeply overhanging two valleys.
A short passage is so sharp that it is difficult to put two feet side by side: like a spider crawling across the exposure because it is unbearable, but with a little bit of euphoria for now arrived.
The beauty of the summit has few rivals on the view Grossglockner from the sea, giving an overview of the entire panorama of the Julian Alps. The crows circling in the blue and we go round the top pick for all the prospects that are opening up here. I would stay on top for hours to make this homage unparalleled spur of rock, but time is running out: our commitments to descend to 1700 meters require us to leave.
We know that the descent has not only taken a comfortable and relaxed and that the difficulties are not archived. The Bosi it literally represents the reflection and down as if walking on eggs.
While Jalovec disappears into the clouds, we're back to the saddle of Brett and we continue to think about what the most demanding; in fact, from here down, it takes all the concentration we have left to do missteps.
Again in view of the refuge, you can relax for a moment and anticipate the pleasure last stop. Nadia and Mary are busy in the kitchen and I need the much-vaunted jota: it is a true delicacy, or perhaps hunger, exhaustion and relief to have done to make me enjoy it so much! The Bosi but refuses to eat, quaff a liter of water and lies down on the bench without giving more signs of life.
We're going to take our leave from the realm of Jalovec and cover the last thousand meters which separate us from the Trenta Valley. Rugged stony path to greet the first peaks and then again steep beech forest, with his toes now mangled by thousands of steps malagevoli.
thousand and seven hundred meters to climb and descend without a distraction, plenty of sweat and toil inordinate only to sit uncomfortably on a roof of rock that plunge into the void. Why do we do? Because we split the back and knees, because we tremble on the sharp ridges or down steep walls, where every step could be the last?
Citing Blade Runner: "I've seen things you people would not even imagine."
Or maybe we delude ourselves to make a small step up.
TECHNICAL
Charter: Tobacco sheet 019
Drop: 1700 m, of which approximately 600 sections of trail facilities.
Difficulty: EEA - path of considerable physical effort and technical training and equipment to deal with appropriate and safe time.
DEPARTURE
Val reached the high thirties in Slovenian territory, follow the signs to the sources of the Isonzo (Izvir Soce), pass the namesake refuge for dirt road and continue until ban to continue in places Farm Flori (signs).
EXCURSION
The trail starts directly from the parking lot (960 m) with hairpin turns and climbs the steep beech forest. It goes on forever in the woods with adequate slope to a junction on the right, which is a variant of the path and leads to rejoin the path from the step Vrsic. I recommend you go straight: even if the path is a bit 'steeper, more linear and earns nearly half an hour. On leaving the forest the trail crosses to the left leads to Bavski Grintavec. Continue straight ahead between mountain pines and then finally open up land on the south wall with views of the group of Jalovec. The path continues always well marked and respectable slope until you reach sight of Spickom, the spire of rock is placed at the foot of the shelter. The last section of the trail through wildflower meadows and eventually leads to the refuge (2064 m).
From here, follow the signs to the gravel Jalovec leading to a rocky cliff with the first equipment. It continues to climb stairs and ledges often equipped dell'Ozbenik the wall. This leads to the saddle of Brett, and then climb again to the left to rocks partially equipped to the shoulder of the ridge south of Jalovec. Sharp ridge along the much less steep climb up the mountain to share m2.643.
CONSIDERATIONS
What, is an excursion for "real men"! 1700 meters overall in both uphill and downhill, two thousand feet of rock wall partially equipped and air passages: here we grasp the meaning of the "safe passage" and "mountain experience". It takes a physical, but also head to remain focused and avoid the risk objectives of this excursion.
harness or harness is not it? I say yes, because you never know: a stone, a distraction or an unexpected and can be fatal, although a few sections are equipped, you have more protection. It is the helmet without contraindications.
And then, listen, break the trip with overnight stay at the refuge, unless they have done something very bad and want to punish you or have performance anxiety.
to sleep Zavetisce Spickom Pod is more than a ploy to break the output: € 20 (summer 2009) for CAI members are the price of one night's accommodation with breakfast and a simple dinner, and let the pleasant experience of sound hospitality Slovenia, as spartan. Try to get a feeling for the two adorable middle-aged ladies who run it flawlessly and soups are tasty and delicious strudel. The balcony offers a wonderful view of the shelter and, if you have the luck of good weather, at night in proportion with the starry sky is a pleasure that is in addition to all the others. The refuge, powered by solar panels, has the only flaw of the lack of running water.
If broken the climb, you also enjoy the great fatigue that does not even miss it. The summit is one of the most beautiful I have gone up and, if you suffer from vertigo, the adrenaline will not fail, as well as the chance to see virtually all of the peaks of the Julian Alps. Be prepared to work hard from first to last step, even downhill, but an experience that you will not easily forget.
No no no, I can do to sleep only four hours a night, not even my Nescafe triple gave me a wake up! Just 
as short as it is not, ultimately there is no plate on which there is no basil or pepper to enhance taste! 
