Lake Crest
Encyclopedia
Maja Jezercë is the highest point of the Prokletije
and the entire Dinaric Alps
, standing at 2694 m (8,839 ft) AMSL
.
, lies between the valleys of the Valbona
to the east and the Shala in the west. In part, the whole floor between the valley of Shala, Valbona and Ropojana and Maja Roshit (2,522 metres) is known as Jezerca, in addition to the peak, Jererca borders other peaks such as the Maya Popluks (2,569 metres) and the Maja e Ali (2,471 metres) in the west, the Maya Rrogamit (2,478 metres) to the east, Maja Kolajet (2,498 metres), Maja Malësores
(2,490 metres) and Maja Bojes (2,461 metres) in the northwest and the Maja e Kokerhanës (2,508 metres ) and Maja Etheve (2,393 metres) in the north.
Apart from certain areas north of the Jezerca peak the mountain massif is part of the two National Parks of Thethi and Valbona
.
The summit can be climbed from the North without major equipment.
Most climbers come from Gusinje
in Montenegro
or from Theth
in the Shala valley.
from that in the glacial periods when glacier
s were formed. Today the northern cirque is called Buni i Jezercës at a height of 1980 metres and 2,100 metres in height around 400 metres. There is abundant snowfall in the winter and in dry years, only the less exposed sections melt away.
.
This name likely refers to the cirque lakes in the lower part of the Buni i Jezercës on the northern side of the mountain.
Maja Jezercë is known to be the focal point in many old tales of the Malesori
people
the name comes from Albanian (north Albanian, especially the region of Tropoja) word "jezer" (English "fog")and "maja" (English "top") it was called Maja e Jezercës ever since the Illyrians lived in the region, named so as there's almost constant fog surrounding the peak, which in turn means that the Serbian name is not where from it originates.
During the Communist era in Albania
it had been given the name of Maja e Rinisë (Mountain of Youth), which never stuck.
climbers Sleeman, Elmalie and Ellwood reached the summit of Maja Jezercë on the 26th of July. These three climbers were the first to do so. Before this expedition took place the highest peak of the range was believed to be Shkëlzen
at 2,407m and then Maja Radohimës
at 2,570m high.
Prokletije
Prokletije or Albanian Alps is a mountain range in the Balkans that extends from northern Albania, to southwestern Serbia and eastern Montenegro. Its highest point, Jezercë in Albania at , is the tallest peak in the entire Dinaric Alps...
and the entire Dinaric Alps
Dinaric Alps
The Dinaric Alps or Dinarides form a mountain chain in Southern Europe, spanning areas of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro....
, standing at 2694 m (8,839 ft) AMSL
Above mean sea level
The term above mean sea level refers to the elevation or altitude of any object, relative to the average sea level datum. AMSL is used extensively in radio by engineers to determine the coverage area a station will be able to reach...
.
Location and surroundings
The mountain peak, which is just five kilometres from the border with MontenegroMontenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, lies between the valleys of the Valbona
Valbona
Valbona can refer to:* The town of Valbona, Spain* Valbonë, a town in northern Albania* Valbonë in Albania...
to the east and the Shala in the west. In part, the whole floor between the valley of Shala, Valbona and Ropojana and Maja Roshit (2,522 metres) is known as Jezerca, in addition to the peak, Jererca borders other peaks such as the Maya Popluks (2,569 metres) and the Maja e Ali (2,471 metres) in the west, the Maya Rrogamit (2,478 metres) to the east, Maja Kolajet (2,498 metres), Maja Malësores
Maja Malësores
Maja e Malësores is an impressive mountain in the country of Albania. At high it is located in the central main part of the Prokletije range. Like Maja Popluks, it is also surrounded by many high peaks which are all located in Albania. Deep river canyons and beautiful valleys surround the mountain....
(2,490 metres) and Maja Bojes (2,461 metres) in the northwest and the Maja e Kokerhanës (2,508 metres ) and Maja Etheve (2,393 metres) in the north.
Apart from certain areas north of the Jezerca peak the mountain massif is part of the two National Parks of Thethi and Valbona
Valbona
Valbona can refer to:* The town of Valbona, Spain* Valbonë, a town in northern Albania* Valbonë in Albania...
.
The summit can be climbed from the North without major equipment.
Most climbers come from Gusinje
Gusinje
Gusinje is a small town in Montenegro. According to the 2003 census, the town has a population of 1,704.-History:The history and origins of Gusinje are unknown prior to the Ottoman conquests. Before the Ottoman Turks took control of the region, Plav-Gusinje was under the control of various...
in Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
or from Theth
Theth
Theth is a community in the Shalë municipality, Shkodër District, Shkodër County, northern Albania.The community is at the centre of the Theth National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty.-History:...
in the Shala valley.
Topology and geography
Jezerca is a large rocky peak of dolomitic limestone. Vegetation there to almost none. North, east and west of the mountain top is in great cirqueCirque
Cirque may refer to:* Cirque, a geological formation* Makhtesh, an erosional landform found in the Negev desert of Israel and Sinai of Egypt*Cirque , an album by Biosphere* Cirque Corporation, a company that makes touchpads...
from that in the glacial periods when glacier
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
s were formed. Today the northern cirque is called Buni i Jezercës at a height of 1980 metres and 2,100 metres in height around 400 metres. There is abundant snowfall in the winter and in dry years, only the less exposed sections melt away.
Name and meaning
The name Jezerski Vrh means lake peak in SerbianSerbian language
Serbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
.
This name likely refers to the cirque lakes in the lower part of the Buni i Jezercës on the northern side of the mountain.
Maja Jezercë is known to be the focal point in many old tales of the Malesori
Malësia
Malësia or Malësia e Madhe, is a historical geographical region in northern Albania and eastern Montenegro. It consists of an area of land that stretches from the southeast of Podgorica to northern shores of Lake Scutari, and includes much of the Malësi e Madhe District of Albania...
people
the name comes from Albanian (north Albanian, especially the region of Tropoja) word "jezer" (English "fog")and "maja" (English "top") it was called Maja e Jezercës ever since the Illyrians lived in the region, named so as there's almost constant fog surrounding the peak, which in turn means that the Serbian name is not where from it originates.
During the Communist era in Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
it had been given the name of Maja e Rinisë (Mountain of Youth), which never stuck.
First Ascents
In 1929 BritishBritish people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
climbers Sleeman, Elmalie and Ellwood reached the summit of Maja Jezercë on the 26th of July. These three climbers were the first to do so. Before this expedition took place the highest peak of the range was believed to be Shkëlzen
Shkëlzen
Shkëlzen is a mountain in Albania with a height of . It is rocky and located near the border with Kosovo, north of Tropojë. It belongs to the Prokletije. Shkëlzen shares its name with a village that is just south of the mountain....
at 2,407m and then Maja Radohimës
Maja Radohimës
Maja e Radohimës is a mountain in the Albanian part of the Prokletije at a height of . Its location is west of the Maja Jezercë at high....
at 2,570m high.