Bent Forks and Broncos

Note: I've recently returned from an amazing trip to Slovenia and Croatia. This next series of posts (if I ever finish them) will describe some of the highlights, primarily with a climbing focus. Ok, you got me. It's almost 100% about climbing. Here's part two, An Afternoon in Paklenica. Route Summary (out of four stars): Vaginalna Manipulacija,  6a+ (20m): ★ Gerovit,  6c+/7a (14m) :  ★★★ (Awesome short route. Probably a fantastic warm-up for its neighbors) Butter Keks,  5c (18m): ★ (I don't remember this route, but know I climbed it) Crni Gad , 6b (20m):    ★★★★ (So good. Oh, so good). It's 1 pm, Martin and I are baking in the sun, and we haven't matched any of guidebook topos with walls. We're staring at this small, flat metal triangle drilled into the base of a seemingly blank, overhanging wall. Enscripted on the triangle is a route name and grade: Il Maratoneta,  8b+. We're not climbing this. We hike uphill a little farther,...

Note: I've recently returned from an amazing trip to Slovenia and Croatia. This next series of posts (if I ever finish them) will describe some of the highlights, primarily with a climbing focus. Ok, you got me. It's almost 100% about climbing. Here's part one, Entering Paklenica. The first day we drove into Paklenica was my second day driving our massive (especially for European Standards) Euro-minivan. The one-and-a half lane road quickly snakes through the valley, hugging the North side of the rapidly steeping valley. The sides of the roads are peppered with two types of signs: "Winnetou #N" or "_____ Kuk," the latter being listed with a climbing grade. We (correctly) inferred that the "Kuks" were sign posted multi-pitch routes; I (incorrectly) guessed that the Winnetou placards were Paklenica's unique method of marking parking lots. We hit the parking lot. Like any able bodied American, I skipped the first open spot to find so...