A
bit fed up with Christmas tradition ?
You
have enough of stupid Christmas tree, horrible songs « let it snow , let
it snow blablabla » and disgusting dinners with your old aunt ?
Anyway,
you have not been very kind this year and you don’t expect anything from Santa …
Why
not offer you a selfish present and go to Slovenia in order to discover Julian Alps
with your skis …
With Ena Vrbek, a very good local guide ;) we
recommend to you the Jalovec Couloir.
This nice 2643m mountain is known
as the Matterhorn of Julian Alps. It’s the 4th highest in this aera and from
top you have an amazing view on king Triglav (2864m).
So
after a cold night in the van near « Planica » the famous ski jumping
aera, we woke up at 5 on this 24 th of december !
First
part is a bit boring, because you have to skin on a flat road almost 6 km to
join the mountain hut « Dom v Tamarju ».
Then follow north direction
betewen the trees. (the summer path is marked with red signs). The North-East
couloir is obvious above your head.
You put
crampons, ice axe(s) and of course helmet ;) at 1500m altitude, sheltered
by a big rock.
Once
on summit of couloir, you feel a bit warmed by the sun and you follow on
South-West Slopes until a big rock aera. The classic ski descent starts there
and you don’t ski from summit.
Until
this point it takes between 3 and 5h climbing up from refuge, depending on snow
conditions.
The
couloir is never too steep (45° at the maximum) and is graded S4 for skiing.
But the limestone rock on both side makes it really good looking and bit
impressive.
Just
be aware of snow conditions and avalanche danger, it’s a huge toboggan !
Don’t
forget to have a beer at the nice mountain hut to celebrate a nice day in
Julian Alps.
I
have to admit that after a such good day in mountain, we celebrated Christmas
eve. With a Christmas tree, Christmas songs, Christmas presents, Christmas
dinner …
And
you know what ??
It
was great :p