Češnovar - Srakar route in Kogel
The day before winter—at least according to the calendar, because otherwise, you might think it’s mid-spring—we headed to Kogel. As always, the approach to the wall feels endless. It’s a bit easier if you chat about something along the way...
After an hour and a half of hiking under the wall, we meet five climbing teams. Two are heading into Virensa, two (one of them a team of three) into Češnovar Srakar, and another somewhere near Kamniška. We take our time, as we see occupied belay stations above us. The snack tastes good.
I lead the first pitch. After a long time, I feel the rock again. Surprised by how warm it is. I actually climb two pitches. The full length of the rope. I’m afraid of falling rocks. The teams ahead of us aren’t stingy with loose debris. Later, we catch up to the team in front of us. It seems to me that the bike helmet on the guy’s head doesn’t really belong on the ledge under the anchors... Anyway, we’re stuck waiting, as overtaking wouldn’t gain us anything. Luckily, the team ahead decides to head into Zeleno zajedo. The first team is far enough ahead that we can continue climbing.
Next comes a steep pitch with a section that needs to be tackled quickly toward a slab with poor protection. Fortunately, the slab isn’t too challenging.
Then comes a chimney, entirely in the shade. Well, it’s a bit colder here. But luckily, we soon traverse back to the sunny side, where the warm rock feels good. The last pitch is quite vertical, and its difficulty has completely slipped my mind after five years.
At the end of the route, where it opens up, you’re greeted by pleasant, though annoyingly prickly, grass. A few more meters of easy climbing follow, and then we find ourselves on the summit of Kogel.
We rappel down the route via Virensa. Two pitches go by quickly. The descent to the car takes a bit longer. Actually, it feels like it drags on forever...
After an hour and a half of hiking under the wall, we meet five climbing teams. Two are heading into Virensa, two (one of them a team of three) into Češnovar Srakar, and another somewhere near Kamniška. We take our time, as we see occupied belay stations above us. The snack tastes good.
I lead the first pitch. After a long time, I feel the rock again. Surprised by how warm it is. I actually climb two pitches. The full length of the rope. I’m afraid of falling rocks. The teams ahead of us aren’t stingy with loose debris. Later, we catch up to the team in front of us. It seems to me that the bike helmet on the guy’s head doesn’t really belong on the ledge under the anchors... Anyway, we’re stuck waiting, as overtaking wouldn’t gain us anything. Luckily, the team ahead decides to head into Zeleno zajedo. The first team is far enough ahead that we can continue climbing.
Next comes a steep pitch with a section that needs to be tackled quickly toward a slab with poor protection. Fortunately, the slab isn’t too challenging.
Then comes a chimney, entirely in the shade. Well, it’s a bit colder here. But luckily, we soon traverse back to the sunny side, where the warm rock feels good. The last pitch is quite vertical, and its difficulty has completely slipped my mind after five years.
At the end of the route, where it opens up, you’re greeted by pleasant, though annoyingly prickly, grass. A few more meters of easy climbing follow, and then we find ourselves on the summit of Kogel.
We rappel down the route via Virensa. Two pitches go by quickly. The descent to the car takes a bit longer. Actually, it feels like it drags on forever...