The land of snow fairy: Winter fairytale on Kriška gora

Hello,

Winter. Blue clear sky. Possible lone little cloud. Sunny mountains. White snowy spruces and slopes. Fantastic views. We could hardly find anything more beautiful in the winter than a completely white and snowy land in the mountains during the first sunny days after heavy snowfall. In Slovenia there are plenty beautiful location, one of them is definitely Kriška gora. 

Winter fairytale on Kriška gora.

This mountain ridge is locatied on the edge of the Alps above Ljubljana basin as a part of the Storžič mountain range. It has some steep southern slopes with pastures starting to owergrow by spruces. At the edge of those pastures the process of natural forestaion is on. Where forests on those slopes are dense, they are spruce forests in the upper zone and beech forests in the lower zone. On the northern slopes forests are mostly only those of beech. The top of the ridge is partly open and partly covered by forest with beeches and spruces exchanging on the top. The highest peak is Tolsti vrh with 1715 of height. 250 meter lower on the other side of the ridge is abn alpine hut, open also in winter during the weekend. Mountain nature is also enriched with larches and mountain-ash. On the top of the ridge there are also some dwarf pines. In the winter the life is enriched with the sound of some mountain birds, like tits and finches. Blackbird, ring ouzel, dunnock and alpine accentor are also present. On the peaks, alpine choughs may visit us. Chamoises also live in these mountains, but it is more difficult to spot them in the winter then in the summer. In the forest we can often spot some squrirrels.

The Kriška gora ridge from the village Gozd beneath.

Above Ljubljana basin, warm lifting air currents rise across the southern slopes, so this is an ideal starting point for paragliders. Just a bit of moisture is already enough for the creation of clouds aove the slopes due to those currents. Because of them, even in the winter some clouds my form also around the peaks, but they are less common and smaller than in the summer. Mostly they are only an esthetic addition of whiteness to blue clear sky. However there is plenty of completely clear sunny winter days in dry weather. In times of dry weather of anticyclone, fog and low cloudiness are common in Ljubljana basin in the autumn and winter. In case os ground fog in Ljubljana basin there is no effect on the weather on Kriška gora as it is located way down on the bottom of the basin. However low cloudiness is also common. Its end is on very different altitudes. It often touches the slopes of the Storžič range as its border is in the middle of slopes. The clouds often remain longer around slopes then above the basin. Low cloudiness above the basin may already fall apart us cloud line around slopes remains for a bit longer. It may be located in the middle of Kriška gora slopes and the top of the ridge is bathing in sunny weather. Sometimes its borde is higher and it reacher the top ofm the ridge. It is foggy then on the ridge. It may laso happen that lower part of ther ridge is in the clouds and the upper part with Tolsti vrh is above them.

The dance and play of clouds on Tolsti vrh (beneath us is snow covered Ljubljana basin) …

… and above surrounding mountains.

A short ascend on the upper part of the ridge where we reach its first peak. Tolsti vrh is the last peak in line there at the end of the ridge. The lower part of the ridge is in the clouds and the upper part of the ridge is above them and is sunny.   

It the sonwy periods of winter it is sometimes difficult to encounter on a mostly clear and sunny day even in the mountains, us weather changes very rapidly and various clouds may form pretty quickly. In februar 2018 there were more heavy snowfalls and several lighter ones. I wanted to experience the winter fairytale on Kriška gora since there was a lot of snow that season. After first snowfall there was only one pertly sunny day and I was somewhere else then. After second snowfall I tried three times. The first time there was low cloudiness, so the higher ridge was above clouds. Additionaly I could not reach Tolsti vrh due to snowdrifts. So I had to turn back on the first peak of the upper ridge. The second day only the slopes were sunny and clouds form around the ridge during the day. On a third day it was finnaly mostly clear and sunny.  

Arrival on Kriška gora near the alpine hut. There is still mostly clear sky above, but first cloluds already cover the sun …

… at the alpine hut with the view above the basin. There were more layers of clouds. Beneath there were remaining of low cloudiness falling apart next to southern slopes. They were there from the morning. During the day new clouds started to form above the ridge as well …

… soon after that the ridge got covered in clouds. The lower cloudy layer at the slopes laso remained for a while.

We usually begin the path into this paradise in the village of Gozd. It is located in a small valley behind a small ridge in the middle of southern Kriška gora slopes around 900 meters of altitude. There is also one starting point for paragliders the other being at the alpine hut.it is an idyllic mountain location around 400 above dthe of Ljubljana basin. When we arrive in the village, a beautiful view on Kriška gora ridge opens up. There are more starting points. The first one is a bit lower before the village and there the western steep trail starts. The other, eastern trail starts in the village at the church. This time I started in the village. We cross the small village and then venture intio steep slopes. First we cross some meadows. Then the path separates into two, b oth of them venture into forest then.The right one goes across southern slopes directly to Tolsti vrh on far east of the mountain. The left one goes across southern slopes to the alpine hut. The direct trail to Tolsti vrh may be risky for avalanches at some parts, especially when crossing open steep slopes ourt of the forest with little trees. So, it is often safer to reach Tolsti vrh by going to the alpine hut and across the top of the ridge in ther winter. And why not, since this trail is so beautiful.

Arrival on the parking lot in Gozd. A wonderful day awaits us.

After leaving the meadows we ascend through the beech forest to the top. It is a mixed forest, where beeches dominate. There is a wonderful play of shade and sunlight with snow sparkling beneath the sun rays. The scene is enriched by young spruces, beginning their growth on the forest floor and are almost fully covered with snow. Even among adult trees there are some spruces and firs among beeches. During the ascension there are several benches, each named by different “local resident”. It is especially magical when we reach the border of low cloudiness. The sky starts to open up into clear blue and the sun starts to shine through some haze still present at the edge of the clouds. At the end of beech forest zone we reach a small clearing, where a part view on the basin opens up. Before it there are already more spruces among beeches. After the clearing we suddenly reach a solely spruce forest zone. On the clearing there is also a beautiful view up on the snowy spruces and blue clear sky. The spruces forest was mostly form on former pastures, which were one much waster than today. They spread across most of the upper slopes.  The spruce first is at first very dense. While going through it we make a turn where we reach the lower edge of still existing pastures and meadows and continue our way thorugh the forest. The forest  higher up becomes scarcer, a more blue clear sky appears among spruces and above. Just beneath the top of the ridge the forest opens up and we reach the open spaces at the top of the ridge.

At the time we are leaving low cloudiness and reaching the sunny zone above in the beech forest, we come upon a beautiful scene of sun rays and haze among the trees.

Then let us ascend though this sunny and snowy forest paradise.

The view up through the forest shows some fallen trees or stumps. Open gaps are created and stumps stick out of the whiteness of snow.

Let us also turn down across the slope. Among beech trunks, small spruces grow. Covered in white they are waiting for the times, when they will dominate in the canopies.

On the other hand, other spruces make company to adult beeches in the canopies. Firs can also be found among them.

Let us take a look, what is behind us. Under a certain angle, the sunlight in the forest is very strong, cannot wait what awaits us on the top of the mountain. There are no signs of haze anymore.

Let us continue our way up. The forest gets a little scarcer, there is more spruces and the trail is very beaten since being very popular among visitors.

Spruces slowly dominate over beeches. In the forest, a clearing appears. Those spruces are still tall and old, still part of the mixed forst. The sunlight is beautifully waving among trees while looking down the trail.

Above the clearing, spruces are younger, the forest formed on former pasture. The first winter fairytale scene among snowy spruces and then some walk through awaits us.

At the end of the forest zone we ascend horugh the beautiful snowy spruce forest formed on former pastures. Above us is a beautiful deep blue sky. Walking through this zone is a really special experience. When beaten path is in front of us thorugh the snow, it feels like going thorugh a tunnel among spruces.

The spruce forest slowly starts to open up and we are reaching the top of the ridge.

Now, we arrive on the open. A fantastic fairytale awaits us!

When we arrive on top of the ridge, the path separates. To the right there is a trail to Tolsti vrh across the ridge, to the left after a few meters is an alpine hut. Let us make a break at the hut. Beneath us the view on Ljubljana basin opens. At the hut is a gentle white plain. Beneath it to the south there is a spruce forest and to the north a beech forest reaching the top of the ridge. There is a small gap among trees, where Stol and Begunjščica peek out. That is also like a strict line between spruces and beeches.  If turn our eyes from the west there towards the hut, we encounter on a fantastic scenery of the alpine hut on beautiful sniowfield with Tolsti vrh in the background. Behind it, Storžič also peeks out.

We flew into heaven! Beneath the snowfield on the top the lowlands are at hand. The air is clear and fresh, whereas on the bottom of the basin, a little bit of haze is still left in the distance.

Sparkling snowfields art the hut. Thw powder snow is sparkling beneath sunlight. In the back, the beech and spruce forest exchange. In between Stol and Begunjščica peek out.

An alpine hut in paradise! One of the most beautiful spots in Slovenia during winter. Fantastic background with Tolsti vrh.

After a break let us cross one of the most beautiful mountain ridges in Slovenia in the winter. At first the oath leads us across gentle slopes of open former pastures, now meadows with some spruces. On the top of the ridge there is the edgeof beech forest at the beginning. Later one we gently acend to a higher level of the ridge among individual spruces.all the time there is a beautiful view all around and beneath us is a mosaic if Ljubljana basin. If the mosaic is covered with snow it can be covered in complete whiteness when trees are covered with snow or the mixture of white and green when treed lose the snow. At certain spots the path reaches the top of the ridge, so behind spruces and beeches Košuta peeks out. To the west the view omn Julian Alps, Dobrča, stol and Begunjščica start to open behind the ridge as we ascend across it.  Later on trhe ridge flattens and we follow steep slopes just below the top, slowly ascending still.

That is how magnificently the trail across the ridge starts. Open snowfields and gentle slopes with snowy spruces. Some beeches are not missing at the edge. The clear and fresh winter air is not just what we feel, it is so perfect we can ewen see it. There are some traces already on the path covered with new snow. We are not the first visitors of this paradise right after last snowfall.

Snowy beeches on the top of the ridge, where forest on northern slopes reaches their edge. Even though the beeches have lost a little portion of the snow.

A picturesque snowdome on the top of the ridge enriched with snowy spruces. We ascend across it when the ridge rises for a level.

A fairy scene. Sparkling snow and open view on Karavanke behind the snwy spruces on the top of the ridge.

As gently ascending further on, a view across the ridge on Julian Alps in the back starts to appear. This lone spruce probably does not complain over the view she is accompanied with its whole life. It is still young, many of beautiful moments await it.

The view on the basin completely opens on the top of open slopes. The mosaic beneath us is snow-covered but not completely white since the wind and warm sun rays freed the trees of the snow.

On the open slopes which we cross there are many beautiful scenes of the spruces growing on the meadows and pastures. Thay may appear in small groups ore separately. They are more generations of trees present. We can see very young trees barely sticking out of the deep snow and fully covered in it above. Then there arfe young “teenagers” with canopies of triangle shape stretching almost to the ground and fully covered with snow.  And let us not forget about adult trees with tall and elongated cone and larger canopies not being a united whiteness. Branches stretch asunder giving more space inbetween and more casts of green then on young trees. After heavy snowfall tree branches lower since being full iof snow. Adult trees are freem themselves from part of snow pretty soon after warm sunshine and rise the branhes again even though some snow still remains longer. Young trees remain lowered and embraced in full snow for longer. Beeches free themselves of snow faster than spruces but if it is cold enough not immediately.

Sometimes spruces form dwarf forests, otherwise they are scattered across the snowfields and slopes.

Young trees embraced with whiteness of snow and blue clear sky. Some of the most beautiful scenes on Kriška gora.

Young “teenagers” can breathe a bit, but branches are still lowered and full of snow and their cone canopy is still short and wide. In the snow we can sometimes spot some traces that are not of people. Maybe dogs make a few steps out of the path ore the mountain residends wonder around.

When spruces reach adulthood, branches may breathe easier. Even being still a bit lowered, they still can breathe. On more open spaces pastures and meadows started to overgrow by spruces later. So there are not many adult spruces and many more “teenagers” and young little trees.

A little spruce forest with some larches. A bit of shade for exchange. Some larches are reaching the end of their lives. They also get free of snow quite fast. Just a little bit of wind and sun is enough and besides their bleak branches can accept much lesser amount of snow.

In the middle of the ridge open meadows on the slopes are the widest. That is why the view on the basin is most open there. The Gozd village is also visible. There it is clearly visible that it lays on a plateau where there is a small valley in the middle of the slope.

When we follow the trail on very gentle path on the steep slope, the ridge suddenly disapeares and a rocky half-moon apeares. On some parts especially on higer ridge northern slopes can be s steep, that day form rocky terrain and walls. At some parts the rockfalls occurred and gaps were created. The biggest gap is Vratca at mentioned place. The path descends a bit and leads us across sharp edge, from where a waste drops towards the valey beneath. At Vratca more dwarf pines appear for the first time. However they are often hidden beneath snow-cover in snowy winter.  After crossing Vratca we ascend again and return to the gentle ridge. We cross step slopes just below the top again. The meadows become more owergrown, spruces are taller and open spaces are narrower. At some parts the scarce forest begins just below the top. We also cross a mixed forest, where forests from northern and southern slopes unite across the top of the ridge. After we cross it. A deep open space appears again and in front of a a short steeper uphill appears. There the ridge rises again for a level to the upper part of the ridge. 

What!? The ridge top is suddenly gone! No problem, an extra view to Javornik and Košuta behind opens between the rocks. Vratca is a quite large gap, we can fell some mightiness when we are there. It is also very windy spot, so where are many snowsrifts there. Trees are snow-less because of the wind.

After crossing Vratca we quickly return to white slopes. As if Vratca were never there. Now we follow the step slopes just beneath the top of the ridge. There are now more spruces, meadows are more overgrown. At first there are more “teenagers”and less adult spruces. The trace in front of us is gone. First visitors seem to have stoppes at Vratca and turned back. Now we become the ones. Treading the way through new snow is not to strenuous if the path was already well beaten before and there Is not to much of new snow. The adventure is just richer. At times we have to try harder when crossing some snowdrifts. On slopes they are far smaller then on the top of the ridge so we can make our way through.

  

At the beginning of the ridge spruces on slops beneath were not so snowy anymore that day. The lower line was warmer in past days and the snow fell down from the trees. As we ascend across the ridge, we rise higher above that line, so spruces beneath us on the slopes are as well fully snowy. The view on the basin with white snowy spruces beneath us becomes more and more special. The village of Gozd hides again beneath the trees, however we can still see a small part of it among the spruce canopies.

The joined young spruce lines on the slopes and white opens spaces in front of them. The blue clear sky above opposite to the sun. The trail is straight and twists from time to time. A feeling of satisfaction and adventure isn there when you tread your way through fresh snow.

On turns, different scenes appear. There white slopes and spruces behind and the basin beneath unite into one.  On the second photo we look behind as well. Wait, but how? There are no traces, even though on the sprucetrunk in the middle is a mark of the trail! How the hell did we come there? When there is al lot of snow in the winter snow drifts may appear over the trail as well. Most of them are smaller on the slopes, but larger drifts are still possible. if they do appear, it is easier to make a turn a few steps around, not crossing them. So we make a few steps around the trail as well.

Spruces below us are now even denser and form a scarce forest. There are also more adult trees. The village of Gozd disappears beneath. They also cover most of the basin on the horizon. Scenes from an angle across the slopes and right-angied to the sun are yet again different with its own characteristics. There is some whiteness of light at the edge of the horizont, the horizon in the distance is hilly, the shades of spruces are long in short winter days. Among spruces, some beeches appear again.

However nature does not change monotonous in one direction. More open white slopes with scarce younger trees return yet again. There was some more wind the days before so the beaten path from before is not so clearly visible. A bit more snow was blown into it, so we have to try a bit harder to tread a way through, bu so what!? The adventure gets even better!

A line of small spuces cover into full whiteness on the top of the slope. Above them deep blue clear sky. A true image of winter in the mountains! A lone beech among spruces is not missing.

The view beneath us opens up again. The view back is transversely across the slope, so it is enriched with a part of the basin to the right …

… however the terrain in front of us changes. A uniform ridge changes into a dome-looking first peak of the upper ridge. That is not Tolsti vrh yet! That one hides behind that dome. It is truly a magical scene when this white dome is united with snowy spruces in front.

In front of us, fully snowy young spruces appear, some of them have a broken top. After this magical winter scene we enter into a shorter line of forest on the top of the ridge. There the forests of northern and southern slopes are united. After we cross it we come upon the last, quite deep open space of meadows the central ridge. Then a shnort uphill onto a dome we have seen before follows. Then we reach the upper ridge and the land changes yet again.

As we climb the steep hill we come across some larches and a fantastic view on the lower ridge opens if we look behind. We can see a mosaic of white meadows, scarce spruces and forests. After some time we can see most of the ridge to the alpine hut abnd further to its far west end. In the background we can now clearly see Košuta, Stol, Begunjščica, Dobrča and further to the west the Julian Alps. When we reach the top of the uphill we climb on the first peak of the upper ridge and the first closer view on Tolsti vrh opens. Košuta and in front of her Javornik, fully opens up to the north. We arrive on sharp and bleak, a bit rocky peak. Just beneath ther top riches the spruce forest with larches. At this sharp peak snowdrifts are common. They can be pretty tall. It may happen that crossing them can be pretty difficult. A few metera are also a bit exposed. So even thoufg it is just a few meters of the trail, one sometimes needs to turn back if he is not with a group with a few people with winter mountaineering equipment. That for example happened to me on the first visit in February that season. A felt a bit sorry because I had just rised above the low cloudiness on the sunny zone ans it would had been beautiful to continue to Tolsti vrh. But still I had seen some beautiful scenes, so I accepted that fate. The path was trodden till there, so even the visitors before me gave up there, so I was not the only one. For me with no special equipment it was not safe enough to break through and continue. I could continue to Tolsti vrh on the next visit on most sunny day, so not so much of a problem.

A group of young spruces fully covered in whiteness of snow and rime ice. Yet again the sky above them is deep blue and clear, the one the most winter like. Those youny snow fairies mark the beginning of the short clim onto the upper ridge. Let us try more than once.

Now, the first try. We have climed above the embrace of the low cloudiness. Some dwarf spruces and beeches peek among the whiteness ad blueness of the ridge edge .

As we climb a few steps, the ridge as much of it us it reaches above the clouds, opens up. The whiteness sparkles in the sunlight. In the back the peaks of Karavanks and Julian alps peek above the clouds and haze. The blue sky is enriched with some cirrus clouds to the west.

A fantastic scene looking towards the sun us we clim the uphill. Snowy and in rime ice covered white larches, spruces and beeches. The sky is light blue with some cirrus clouds above and low cloudiness beneath.

What on earth!? The dome is not so gentle at the top as it looked. On the sharp edge of the ridge are tall snowdrifts diffucult to break thorugh. The first visitors gave up there. Let us do ther same. For a few meters, the snow pretty deep, the slope is very steep, the edge a bit exposed. Let us try some other time perhaps. At the first visit of Kriška gora I had to turn back there and be satisfied with the scene on the second photo. It is fantastic enough though. Snowy spruces beneath the top and dense clouds below.

Let us try again! As starting to clim, the look is constantly turning behind. Behind the lone snowy spruce in the middle of the white slope, being the last one of the central ridge. The sky is now clear deep blue even though not the deepest possible and the horizont is now much clearer. On this scene the lone spruce is the centre of attention, the snowy ridge and mountains in the back are just a decoration of winter fairytale. After some time the alpine hut is visible again in the back.

Higher towars the top of the uphill the most beautiful and most open view towards the west appears. We may call it the most beautiful view to the west on Kriška gora. Snowy central and lower ridge behind us fully opens and the background is enriched with Julian Alps, upper Ljubljana basin, Stol and Begunjščica. The mountains uncover from behind the ridge. The first lone little clouds are formed, bearly visible on the velar sky. The trees make long shades down the slope we climb. The lone spruce in the middle of last opening is not in the centre of attention anymore but merges with surroundings. The ridge is not covered in rime ice because of clouds anymore, but still snowy.

T his time we were able to cross the sharp edge. The snowdrifts were hardened and trodden. That was actually the third attempt and the second time I reached Tolsti vrh, but the first time I was able to cross that edge the ridge was covered in clouds which formed during the day and I had no sunny scenes to photo. Later there was another snowfall and trees were yet again covered fully in white, so not much of a problem. The lower ridge is now visible from the best angle but spruces in front cover a part of it. The snowdrifts on sharp edge are to the ridght of the photo. After several days the wind and cold hardened them and we do not need to trudge through snow. They are trodden as well. 

On the peak we can now clearly see the mighty Tolsti vrh in light blueness with some lone little clouds above. The spruces forming mostly forests now reach the top of the reach. Just the upper few meters are bleak due to wind. On the upper ridge there is also some irme ice left on them. The peak of Tolsti vrh is bleak. The northern rocky slopes are as well. On the lower ridge they were covered with beech forest but there the slopes are to steep and rocky for the forest to form. In the back left to Tolsti vrh Storžič opens up enriched with some clouds at the slopes.

Behind distinctive snowdrifts of the sharp edge Košuta dominates. A truly mighty and mysterious scene! Above it and above javirnik in front of it some lone little clouds may form as well.

We cross the sharp edge quickly and descend a bit lower into the slope, where we follow the way thorugh scarce forest. On the upper ridge the former pastures are already overgrown into scarce forests up to the top of the ridge exept maybe upper few meters. As we ascend across the slopes we cross another gap on the top of the ridge, but the one on upper ridge is smaller, less distinctive and gentler than Vratca.  It is a kind of a col between two peaks of the upper ridge. It is also less exposed. There are also some dwarf pines, which is completely covered in snow in snowy winters. After that gap the last gentle climg to the top of Tolsti vrh follows. The narrow line of the ridge edge is bleak, however forest grows almost to the top. We walk through the wonderful scarce spruce forest. We make our way through deep snow among adult trees full of snow. Often, some snowflakes fly amay from the canopies or the ground in light wind and dance in the sky sparkling in sunlight. The air is clear. Even though it is cold, the sun warms us up as we move on. The sun rays make their way thorugh the canopies and the play of sunlight and shade is made. After some time we reach opemn spaces and Tolsti vrh opens infront of us up close. Only a few steps left. At the beginning  the wiev on Ljubljana basin and mountains in the back starts to open among snowy spruces and after that the rest of the view follows to open. Yet again Ljubljana basin is just beneath us as if you could swim into it. We can now enjoy the view on Julian Alps, central Karavanks with Stol, Begunjščica and Košuta, even Dobrča is not missing.

A snowy fairytale in scarce forest among snowy spruces. Both photos seem pretty conetced. It looks like they arfe filmed from the same spot, the first looking behind and the second one in front. One coukd not be more mistaken. The upper photo was filmed while descending to the col between the peaks and the other one after that col while ascending towards Tolsti vrh. In between the next view opens …

… the view on the first peak of the upper ridge with sharp edge from the beginning of the final climb on Tolsti vrh. Below it to the right is the slope from where the first photo above was filmed and beneath the col. The second photo from above was filmed after this spot. That is how similar spots can be among the trees of the mountain forests. The dome of the peak we view seem gentler again since we are not looking from the right angle again to see the sharp edge of the ridge. From this side the dome seems wider and it also seems as the peak was once taller but the top broke later. The lone clouds around Tolsti vrh are now making first shades on the opposite peak.

The last meters of the climb to Tolsti vrh at the edge of the scarce spruce forest. The edge of the ridge is steep, and trapped in very tall snowdrifts. The drifts hang down towards the southern sunny slope proving that they were created by northern winds. It feels like they could break and bury as at any moment but no need to worry. It is not only the snow mass what is so tall but alsothe ridge edge is a few metzers above as making the snowdrifts look much taller then they are. They are also very compact and hardened. The forest supports that snow mass. Let us rather enjoy in that winter fairytale of snowy spruces enriched with rime ice and the play of sunlight and shade along the way. Above us a lone cloud may dance in the sky.

The view among snowy spruces down the slope. Above canopies little clouds dance on sparkling light blue sky. The sunlight breaks its way through canopy gaps and shine on the lines of the forest floor. Among spruces we can also spot a small part of hilly horizon in the back.

The look sometimes just flies upon the blue sky amog the snowy canopies on its own. Here, sunny and shady canopy sides unite into one.

As closing to the top, the forest opens again. We can spot many magical scenes among the young snowy spruces on the edge of the ridge with the basin and mountains in the back and few lonely clouds in the sky. The pure whiteness is enriched with the mosaic of sunny and shady lines, when sun rays break through even the smallest gaps in the canopies.

The last view on sruces along the way beforereaching the bleak top of Tolsti vrh. The trail goes behind spruces on ridge edge which is gentler again. In the back the mountains peek out again and young spruces enrich the scene in front. The tree in the middle has iots top being freed of snow. The clouds are looking almost identically in the sky as at the previous scene.

When we arrive on Tolsti vrh we can see the perfect view. Storžič  in all its mightiness to the east. It covers most of the other Kamnik-Savinja Alps but its appearance is exceptional. It is not so close as from Bašeljski vrh on the other side of the mountain, but we can view the western rocky ridge. On Tolsti vrh there was a miniature house for long time. In February 2018 it was still there b ut later on it was shattered to pieces, probably by some lightning.  To the north a valley of Lom pod Storžičem opens up as well. To the west we can see the whole ridge we crossed. A perfect panorama for a rest and relaxation on the top. The sun warms us gently even in coldest winter days. Sometimes a gentle wind flatters us at the sime time. If winds are stronger we can hang on it and feel like flying. The changing clouds give many different decorations to the sky.the sky is blue and clear. Views are truly fantastic and the clearest in winter, a bit of haze is usually just on the ground layer of the far basin bottom. For the moment we can truly dive into our own world.

There we arrived on the top. A miniature house with direction marks stands above the rough snow cover of the top of Tolsti vrh. Unfortunately this pleasing structure is now gone since it was scattered to pieces later on that year. The blue sky is enriched by some little clouds. Some of them are just above Tolsti vrh. Deep footprints in the snow indicate that snow is not yet fully hardened there. Let us relax, dive into our own world and enjoy the fantastic view from the top. Alongside let us bath in the warmth of sunlight which fulls us with energy again. 

The view across the complete ridge we crossed. The most beautiful part of it, the mosaic of white slopes with scarce spruces is a bit more in the distance.  In front of us are the bleak last meters of the ridge. In the background the view is most open on Julian Alps, Stol and Begunjščica, even Dobrča opene more than before. The little clouds in the sky remain, changing their shape again.

The most beautiful and mightiest scene from the top! Storžič in all its mightiness and beauty! White and snowy grassy and rocky slopes gained a cap as we say. That is a name for the cloud that forms on the peak of the mountain. Usually those clouds start to form above southern sunny slopes, then rise towards the top in warm air currents and later on this cloud form is created.

Lom pod storžičem is a village in the valley on the northern side of the mountain. The name means Lom beneath Storžič. However it is actually mostly beneath Kriška gora. The view on that valley open truly not before Tolsti vrh. In short winter days Kriška gora creates a shade above part of the valley, but in much lesser amount in February than in December when sun is even lower above hotrizon. Above Lom is mountain Javornik covered mostly in forest and behind it a bleak Košuta ridge, covered in white. Lone clouds dancing in the sky form small shaes above the land.

After we get satisfied by the experience on Tolsti vrh we head back. Yet again we can enjoy in all beauties of Kriška gora if we go on the same trail back. When we arrive back to the alpine hut let us make the last look around the ridge and on the basin beneath. Then only the downhill back awaits us. The most enjoyable can be to just go directly downhill thorugh deep powder snow. At the times we may even “ski” on foot. If there is to much of snow, it is easier to hold to the beaten path. Either way I enjoy in just  letting off on full speed. It is best if there is enough snow to the end at Gozd village so the path does not become too hard on knees.

The last goodbye of the snow fairytale! It is one of the most beautiful scenes of it. Snowy spruces on pure whiteness just beneath the peak of Tolsti vrh, at the spot we leave the bleak opening and return back among the trees. A nice little cloudon the sky is above. Ljubljana basin and Julian Alps are in the back. A similar scenes that before reaching the top but from even better angle. A say that it unites spruces with surroundings most beautifly. 

Goodbye the land of snow fairy and thank you very much for everything!

Till next time, Aljaž