A view from the top, some 3,800 feet above sea level. To stand so high is an amazing feeling. Bear in mind, it's all
elevation gain.
Taking the gap.
We arrived in the town of Seline, one of many small enclaves abutting the Paklenika National Park, a massive canyon surrounding by mountains comprising dolomite and limestone. It's an incredible region, effectively an extension of the Velebit National Park. As expected and to be welcomed, each country operates its parks differently even per region and not un-expectantly, no two countries function in a similar manner. This makes the set-up, set-out, rules and such like different for most parks we visit. The unique aspect of this park is it has a fortune of trails and sparsely used from our little experience. (On this day, we saw three other hikers who had followed a long way behind.) However, the trails are extremely long, the underfoot is particularly tough on the feet but the place is magnificent. The karst formation and the loose rocks and stones make life awkward for the feet and by extension, anyone or part connected thereto. It’s also a paradise for rock climbers. Having mentioned the length of hikes, it makes sense to spend nights in huts on the mountain in order to reach peaks. The first hike we did (this one), which was wonderful but extremely rough on the feet was 7 hours in length (return), gaining 3,400 feet. Not too bad. This is a below-average length in time although above average elevation gain. Thus day hikes are limited unless a person is an ironman. Not me, maybe Jenni.
There’s no shortage of daylight in Croatia. With the sun rising from 4:30am and setting at 9:30pm, the days are long on light, potentially long on trails and short on sleep. Perhaps that's why they think nothing of establishing a park with day hikes varying from 6 to 12 hours. Briefly, we followed the trail through the canyon, branched off after an hour, climbed for another hour or so steeply, made our way across a saddle or two, rounded the mountain, dropped a little and made the final very steep ascent to reach the peak. The views were incredible although the air was too dense to allow the camera to achieve its potential. On our return, we took a different route which provided exposure into the canyon. However, as Jenni remarked frequently, the rough stones and rocks played havoc on our feet and left their mark for at least a day thereafter.
We considered it a marvelous hike and experience. And then we did the next one which nearly knocked our socks off, perhaps a top 3 experience. More about it in the future. This park is not for 'sissies'. In fact, the Eastern Europeans are a tough bunch, very tough, just by observation. Hence, I've been on my 'best behavior which is a bit stifling ... but safer'.
Jen reaches the peak.
She promptly sits herself down after a session of 'pole dancing' as climbing is prohibited.
He goes climbing in an overpowering environment and soon ends up...
Overpowered by the elements. Note we had another 3.5 hours 'journey' back down. Talk about having fun.
Plenty of views into the canyon.
The magnitude of the surrounding mountains was staggering with ours causing a shadow.
A view on the way down.
Extremely steep section. Unfortunately, we have a camera that contrary to the popular saying, "Does lie".
Telephoto picks up the sailboats. We could not see them with our naked eyes so we dressed them.
After 2 and a bit hours, with an hour to go, we thought this was the final ascent so we took a shot. We wish. No such luck.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
For fellow enthusiasts, from our next hike, some 700 feet lower than the peak across the way, we viewed what we had reached. In fact, the lower peak where we currently stood, was a rock scramble and hike, far more difficult than the higher peak in view.
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