5 facts about climbing Mt Triglav in the winter season
Climbing Mt Triglav in the winter season is without a doubt more complicated. The climate is less than ideal. Days are short. It’s really cold. Snow and ice make what would be simple summer scrambles, committing and dangerous. There’s the risk of avalanches. And all that extra gear…
The time has come to dust off your mountaineering boots and sharpen your crampons and axes, winter is coming!
Most importantly, the freedom of moving high in the mountains is one of the best feelings in the world. Get out there and enjoy the beautiful transformation winter brings to the mountains.
1. Winter season for climbing Mt Triglav
The Winter season in Slovenia regularly endures from December to late March. However in the Alpine mountains is even longer, from November till mid-May. But what does that mean for the snow season in the mountain range? Well, obviously, there is snow, but way more from January to March, which means over 2 to 5 meters of pure white snow! So, you should be alert for avalanches, as well. The temperatures usually drop from 0°C to minus 20°C and even more and that’s not just in the mountains, but also in the valleys!
If you are up for some snowy winter climbing to Mt Triglav, February and March are the best months for the ascent.
Check the current mountain forecast here.
2. Choose the right route to Mt Triglav in the winter season
For climbing in the winter to Mt Triglav, you have to pick the right path and the most suitable is to start from the Valley of Krma to Kredarica hut and then to the summit of Mt Triglav. This path will take you about 5-6 hours in the first part and another 2 hours till the top of Mt Triglav. If you want to do a guided tour, check here.
However, there are other approaches to Mt Triglav, like the south trail. In summertime gives you perfect looks over the 7 lakes and the mountain range. But in the winter season, it takes too much time and there is no hut to take shelter from the possibility of bad weather.
3. Snowshoes or touring skis
That is the question. If you are a skier, it is (from Krma Valley) recommended to go the first part with the touring skis with skins on until you arrive at the Kredarica hut. After that follow the more difficult part, so you continue without and can easily leave your skis there. However, the next part will definitely require crampons and an ice ax for reaching the summit. At descent, you can grab your skis where you left them and continue skiing down to the valley.
But if you’re not a skier, where there is a great deal of snow it is recommended to wear snowshoes. Otherwise good crampons will do just fine.
4. Climb Slovenian route in North wall in winter season
In the summer, this route is Ⅱ. and Ⅲ. grade by UIAA. But in the wintertime, when it’s covered with snow and ice, it could be anything but difficult to climb, if you have experience with ice climbing. What’s more, the ice wall is just perfect to reach the top of Mt Triglav in the winter season.
5. One day climb to Mt Triglav or overnight
It is possible to climb Mt Triglav just in one day, even in wintertime, yet you must be well-prepared and in good physical fitness. Keep in mind that days are short, so start the day early.
If you decide to do it in 2 days, the only hut that you can stay overnight is Kredarica hut on 2515 meters, just underneath the summit of Mt Triglav. To accomplish it in 2 days is more pleasant and much easier. Here you can find out more about where to spend the night: Overnight Triglav National Park