triglav national park

3 days walking through the rather spectacular triglav national park was simply brilliant. it was a touch warm for the first day, with a good 1800m vertical climb being good for the legs, and the sunny mountainous views very kind on the eyes. the mountains were quite similar to switzerland, but were a bit craggier and felt slightly more isolated. there were still plenty of cows (sans bells) to help me feel at home though!



both nights we spent in a different mountain hut, fully equiped with cooked meals, bunk beds with all linen provided, and even beer on tap! coming from an australian walking background, it feels very strange indeed to have so much luxury at the top of a mountain, but i suppose it does limit the impact of the increased numbers of people it encourages to visit.

wednesday was to be our mt triglav summit day...

however, the not so spectacular weather forced us to reconsider, and we made it up a nearby peak on our way through some very desolate karst moonscape to the glacial lake-littered valley and our next hut.



the next day dawned with threatening clouds, and the deluge held off until we were just before a mountain hut, only an hour from the car. we dashed through the rain and into the hut, only to realize that it wasn't the tourist hut, but a local cow tender's! he was incredibly welcoming though, and our broken german conversation (on both sides) informed us he lived in the bohinj valley below, and was just up for a couple of weeks to look after some cows. he seemed to relish the chance to ply us with schnapps, beer, schnapps, coffee and schnapps, and since michelle was feeling sensible, it was up to me to appreciate his hospitality. he didn't want any of our chocolate ('just for kids!'), but was very happy indeed with our leftover dried figs. the end of a 3 day walk isn't really the time for choice gifts! mountain hospitality is truely amazing.