The first climb of the Expeditionary-Adventure Society Dr. Franjo Tuđman

Sveta Gera is a strategically completely irrelevant area on the Croatian – Slovenian border, so it is very unclear why these two superpowers are constantly arguing over territorial claim to it.

The Slovenes call it Trdinov vrh and have a military station up there. Croats are not lagging, so they have built almost a highway through the woods so hikers and climbers can get to the top more easily and in greater numbers.

Basically, the path to all goodwill people is open and there will be no shooting at anyone.

Start

Although rainy morning morning indicated that it will last whole day, it did not stop all four members of the EAS Dr. Franjo Tuđman to gather for coffee, buy a beer in a nearby shop, as is it should be and go on a merry hike.

Driving in a car was like any other so it is not worth mentioning, except that sometime after Krašić we began to look for possible locations where we would renew our strength after descent.

The starting point for climbing to several peaks and sights of the area is the village of Sošice and its only bar.

Sošice

The second coffee and the first brandy were ordered there as details of the ascent were debated. Since not everything was agreed during the first brandy, we ordered another one so we had plenty of time to tell an anecdotes from some of the previous expeditions.

On the road

When all conditions to start climbing were met, we headed down the road in the direction on the signpost, which we really didn’t even need.

A steady rhythm of steps also triggered brainstorming, and a philosophical discussion soon developed, as is usually the case when people with vast mental capacities find themselves in an inspiring environment. The topics of the debate are not worth talking about because they have changed faster than politicians change parties.

The first short break was at the crossroads where was the road blocked by the sign “Prohibited passage”. We accepted it as though it was forbidden to go to a nearby water pumping area and went the intended route anyway, but not before we praised one of the members who had pulled out a hip flask of motivation.

We left the road and continued up the slippery and muddy path through the hillsides which were painted by autumn with beautiful colors. After that shortcut, we returned to the track and intersection where the time had come and to think more seriously about the direction we should proceed and the other roads. We didn’t dwell too much here because the goal was close so we went further.

After about two hours of hiking, we arrived at the meadow below the summit and the television tower. Ideal place for a photo session.

St. Gera

We finally found ourselves at the very top. Beer was opened immediately to celebrate successful climb and finally something to toss into the beak. Otherwise, the summit itself is well equipped with two chapels, already mentioned tower and a view of the whole of Slovenia. The weather was cloudy so mountain Triglav could not be seen, but we still sent a hiking greeting in his general direction.

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At the way back, we decided to hit the shorter road, which took us half an hour longer, so we decided that it was not a shorter route at all, but just a tougher one.

Refreshments

We concluded the successful climb and the day with fresh grilled trout, another beer (the fourth all together) and a mountain of fries.

Well, the rain didn’t bother us either. In fact, it almost didn’t fall even though it seemed like it would.