Špik

Špik is a mountain in Slovenia, the fourteenth-highest peak in the Julian Alps at 2,472 m (8110 feet).

Name

The mountain's name is a borrowing from the German "''spitze''", (peak''' or '''point''') derived from its distinctively pointed shape (a cognate of the English "spike"). It is commonly known as "Špik" rather than "Spitze" in Austria, as its name represents an archaic dialectical Slovene borrowing of the German adjective, independent of name of the mountain.

Mountaineering

The two normal routes both start in the Krnica valley, and merge under the summit. The first transits the summit of Lipnica, while the other runs along the Kačji Graben ridge. The former has a few easy sections with fixed cables, while the latter is just a steep walk up. Both are snow-free in summer months. Ascent time from the valley to the summit is approximately five hours.

There are many mountain lodges around the heavily-trafficked Vrsič Pass nearby, but the chalet nearest to the start of the Špik routes is at Krnica (1113 m), 1304 m below the mountain's summit.

The settlement of Gozd Martuljek lies directly below the imposing northern face of Špik,

and is particularly noted for a spectacular view of its namesake triangular summit.

History

In May 1952, a mountaineering accident occurred on the northern face of Špik, resulting in the death of five young mountaineers from Slovenska Bistrica, aged between 21 and 25.

See also

* Mountains of Slovenia

References

External links

Špik on hribi.net

Climbing Špik
on Mountains for Everybody

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spik
Mountains of the Julian Alps
Two-thousanders of Slovenia
1952 in Slovenia