Northern Velebit National Park

April, 2026.

I spent six days over Easter in Northern Velebit National Park, moving through the mountain on skis.

Conditions were great. It felt like spring should, warm and sunny, with plenty of snow still holding higher up. In the forest the coverage was consistent, often around a meter deep, making for stable and easy travel. Ridges and south looking slopes were already melted due to strong sun.

I stayed in mountain huts, moving and skiing between them each day. The only company I had was the meteorologist at Zavižan, who stays there year-round measuring weather data.

Every day I crossed fresh tracks from a bear and her cubs. Always close, never visible. The highlight wildlife encounter came in the Lom valley, where I sat on a meadow for lunch and watched a group of chamois grazing about 50 meters away. Completely calm and undisturbed, a rare and privileged moment.

All photos were taken on Kodak Portra 400 film with a Leica M-A and Summilux 50mm lens.