Category Archives: Other World Mountains

KARAVANKE – FORGOTTEN MOUNTAINS OF SLOVENIA

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Mountain haze shared with cows atop Dovška Baba with Visoki Kurjek ahead on the Karavanke crest

The geography of Slovenia’s greatest mountain range, the Julian Alps is a confused mess. Mapmakers are much more at home with the Karavanke. This chain extends for about 75 miles – 120 kilometers – in a west to east fashion geographically separating the Drava and Sava river valleys. They form a border between Slovenia and Austria. The Karawanke continue the function of the Carnic Alps separating Italy and Austria further to the west. As a border, the Karawanke have served that purpose since at least Roman times.

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TABLE MOUNTAIN – THE BETTER OPTIONS

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Devil's Peak to the left and Table Mountain to the right from atop Lion's Head.
Devil’s Peak to the left and Table Mountain to the right from atop Lion’s Head.

Cape Town has been described as the most beautiful city in the World. The natural setting is indeed magnificently unique. Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean dominate. The original town lies in the City Bowl created by Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak to the east and south. To the west, the Lion’s Head and Signal Hill complete the semi-ring. It is truly an urban equivalent of the glories found farther to the east atop the wilds of the Drakensberg.

Many times, to properly appreciate a mountain, you need to climb another to gain a better appreciation. So, it can be with Table Mountain. My journey started here. Lion’s Head gets its name because the shape resembles a reclining male lion looking towards Table Mountain. Signal Hill is also known as the Lions Rump. Again, better appreciated away from the mountain.     

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HOW TO CLIMB TRIGLAV IN ONE DAY – OR NOT

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Triglav rising with the Krma valley on the left and the Kot in the middle. Peak to Triglav’s left is Rjavina. View is from Jerebikovec.
Route of Triglav climb attempt
My route on Triglav one-day climb attempt. Foiled because of popularity.

There are not many countries thinking enough of their mountains to emblazon them on their national flag. Slovenia is an exception. Triglav, the highest, represents the strength of the Slovene soul. On a summer weekend, the goal of every Slovene seems a whack on the ass – the reward for a climb of Triglav. “Thank you sir. May I have another!” Afterall, Milan Kucan, the first president of Slovenia said, “It is the obligation of every Slovene to climb the mountain at least once in one’s lifetime.

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CLIMBING GOATFELL BY WAY OF THE MAIDEN’S BREAST

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A Maiden’s Breast? The Cioch na h’Oighe lured the lonely Scottish shepherds apparently.

Continuing my Scottish sojourn climbing mountains, visiting family castles and tasting the wee dram here and there, I come to the island of Arran. Arran goes by the moniker of Scotland in a nutshell. There are mountains, a golf course, a Holy Island, ferries, midges, sheep pooping on local football fields and a distillery. Here we will concentrate on the first topic – mountains – climbing Arran’s highest peak, Goatfell, by route not climbed by the thousands. Normally, you get off the ferry at Broderick and make a beeline for the peak so you can catch a later ferry. Here, we are taking the bus further north to the little village of Sannox. A wilder and steeper route for Goatfell awaits from here up the Cioch na h’Oighe – the Maiden’s Breast.

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SOMETIMES, HIGHEST IS NOT BEST – JEREBIKOVEC AND DEBELA PEČ

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Rjavinja, Triglav and Skrlatica from Jerebikovec.

Slovenes love mountains. They love them so much they put one on their flag – Triglav. Triglav is all and good. If not for the fact that everyone wants to climb it, Triglav is still a pretty neat peak. But there are so many other peaks in Slovenia, just as fascinating with views as good. Sometimes, the best views are not off the highest peak, but of the highest peak. Here are two such cases, Jerebikovec and Debela peč. We have already seen other cases further west in the Julians.

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MALA MOJSTROVKA THE EASY WAY UP – Vršič Pass

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north face mala mojstrovka
The magnificent north face of Mala Mojstrovka from Vratica saddle.

Slovenia is not a flat country. There are lots of hills culminating in the Julijske Alpe – the Julian Alps. The border with Italy bisects the range leaving the highest peak, Triglav 2,864 meters, in Slovenia and the second highest peak, Jôf di Montasio 2,755 meters, in Italy.  The mountains figure deeply into the soul of Slovenia with Triglav being featured on both the Slovene flag and coat of arms. To explore this mountainous wonderland, you can do it cursorily from a car or motorcycle. But at some time, you will need to wander the trails and climb the peaks to understand the specialness of these mountains. There is no better place to explore Slovenia from the top than to join the crowds parked atop Vršič Pass – 1611 meters – and walk. From Vršič Pass, the magic of Mala Mojstrovka awaits.

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MISTY REALM OF THE BLACK CUILLIN HORSESHOE OF SKYE

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The Black Cuillin Horseshoe on the island of Skye from atop Bruach nan Frithe.
The Black Cuillin Horseshoe on the island of Skye from atop Bruach nan Frithe.

The Horseshoe of the Black Cuillin is not only the center of attention for would-be mountaineers on the island of Skye, but maybe Britain, as well. Making a trip to the ancestral home of Scotland – maybe the first of my clan since the early 18th century – I decided to include a little walking with the history on my first venture into Scottish mountains.

Skye is a bit north of the islands of my clan – Mull, Islay. Vikings and the clan Macleod and MacDonald figure strongly in the histories here. The island has become a bit of tourist destination with its wild beauty and Celtic traditions. “Winged Island”, “Isle of Clouds” are two interpretations of the original meaning of Skye. The latter version showed up in force during my visit.

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WALKING ON THE DRAGON’S BACK – TREKKING ATOP THE DRAKENSBERG

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Sentinel Peak rising above the mists of the Amphitheatre.

The Zulu and Afrikanse name are both used for this exceptional mountain range and both names are superb in their own rights. “uKhahlamba” is the Zulu name meaning ‘Barrier of Spears’. The escarpment resembles the name from the distance. “Drakensberg”, the Afrikanse name, means ‘Dragon’s Mountain’. A mythical beast one would not be altogether surprised at seeing when climbing/hiking amongst the often-misty rock walls and towers of the range.

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CELEBRATION OF LIFE ON TOP OF THE DRAGON’S MOUNTAIN

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Sunrise on top of the Amphitheatre at Royal Natal National Park – one part of the long rim of the Drakensberg.

Celebration of Life

Birthdays have a nasty habit of piling up. As a child, they are special, looked forward to. As an older adult, they are part of life. I don’t celebrate my birthday in a big way, as a rule. My wife might push for a dinner out or the like. The start of a new decade is different, however. You have made it through another ten years, a milepost! Something special should be done to usher in the new epoch – a true celebration of life, if you will.

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