Winter hiking
The snow hike seems to be over for this year. It was said on the radio today that a temperature record had been hit a couple of days ago (24.02.2021). National Hydrometeorological Society announced that more than 24 degrees Celsius (75.2 F) were measured in Rijeka at 12 o’clock, which is the record temperature for February since the start of the modern meteorology measurement in this part of the world, which will be the year of 1948.
If the temperature had been higher by just 0.2 degrees, the record for March would have been broken too! The dangerous avalanches are happening all over the Alps now.
It was a -15 C degrees on the local mountains just a few days earlier. A large temperature differences like that in such a short time is a kind of a precedent, and it is becoming more and more a new norm.
When I stepped outside of my flat, I experienced a real temperature shock. Out of the still cool lobby of the building, I stepped into the humid, warm air. It felt like summer.
There was a lot of snow in the mountains this winter. The peaks of the surrounding mountains turned white in November and the snow lasted up until now. Happy hikers dusted off the touring skis, and rushed into the snow-covered hills.
Even those folks who otherwise rarely go outside the paved areas, rushed into nature. Covid-19 closed the bars, pubs and shopping malls.
It’s a great experience to walk through the untouched snowy terrain. It’s spotless, empty, white, virginal. There’s something primordial in that, something that only first explorers were able to see when they set out to the new lands.
We were looking forward to the long winter. That kind of winter which sometimes linger until late spring. Warm days broke without notice, unexpectedly. Even though climate change has taken its hold, it’s hard to imagine that spring is around the corner when you’ve spent a phenomenal day in snow and frost just a 24 hours ago.
This year, Mount Snježnik justified its name (Snowdon). The above photo was taken on a hiking trail on Mount Snježnik. The starting point of hiking trails on Snježnik is just a half hour drive from Opatija.
We will need to get used to the fact that winters are now milder and shorter and also erratic. Summers are long and hot. People who love summer will enjoy it, and those who like winter and cooler temperatures will have to turn north. Winter hiking, especially snow hiking, is becoming more and more a kind of exclusive endeavor.
There are a number of winter hiking options in this area. All it takes is snow. The ideal conditions are windless, calm day with firm and compact snow so while you walk on it you keep standing on it (unlike falling up to your knees in). Such days are the best, there can even be a period of such days when the weather is right.
It is necessary to closely monitor the forecast. As soon as the snow falls, be ready, get out on the field and embark on a little adventure. It is necessary to have warm tea in a thermos, snacks that will not freeze, warm clothes, extra pairs of gloves, warms socks and winter beanies. More about safety on trail in diverse conditions you can read via this link here.
