Goli Vrh

Last night we had supper in the only other restaurant in the area which serves only pizza, salad and beer; the largest pizza I think I’ve ever seen and we each managed to finish little more than half with no space for dessert.

Today’s hike is classified as difficult; a steep ascent to the top of Goli Vrh (a small rocky protrusion reaching up from the mountain) and down again. An ascent of 782m in 3 kms… believe me that’s steep.

We experienced much less rain than expected but swirling mist and clouds concealed the views that make this walk so appealing.

The first 2 kms/1.5hrs were a relentless steep climb on rough terrain in forest but good underfoot and not particularly difficult. We pasted a shrine and I dutifully placed a stone. A little later on the summit of this “foothill” in a meadow at the base of Goli Vrh we were on the border with Austria 🙂

No sooner had we started the push to the top of Goli Vrh when the gradient got even steeper and we hit snow patches which made the going very difficult. As we climbed I found myself getting more and more uneasy and concerned about getting down rather than climbing up. About 200m from the top I decided this was too dangerous and difficult for me and suggested Rob continue while I start down. The descent down to the Austrian border point was as challenging as I’d thought and I found myself sliding on my back more than once. I waited for Rob at this point and the rest of the descent was occasionally tricky but generally not difficult.

Here’s Rob talking about his climb to the top:
Shortly after leaving my dad I became relieved he had turned back as the trail became even more gnarly and in parts disappeared completely under layers of snow. I lost the trail at one point but managed to find it again using the app map. Thankfully the snow eased off towards the top and it was a gentler climb to the summit where I found this giant cross. The “splendid views” promised were unfortunately obscured by thick cloud but I thought it was a good time for lunch. The footsteps left in the snow made it easy to retrace my way back down and I met up with my dad back at the border point.

Back at our accommodation I mentioned to our hostess that it was Claire’s birthday and we all toasted her with a shot of their “medicinal” schnapps and another mother/daughter duet. Very special.

She drove us to our next stop: Preddvor.

Tomorrow promises better weather for our hike up to St Jacobs Church perched on the peak of a mountain we can see from our hotel.