Maja Jezercë


Jezerca Peak is the highest peak in the entire Dinaric Alps, the second highest in Albania and the sixth highest in the Balkans, standing at above sea level. It is one of the toughest if not one the most dangerous climbs in the Albanian Alps. However, Maja Jezercë is the 28th most prominent mountain peak in the European continent.
Maja Jezercë is situated within the Prokletije, that is noted for several small glaciers - among the southernmost glacial masses in Europe after Snezhnika glacier and Banski Suhodol Glacier in Pirin mountain in Bulgaria. Apart from certain areas north of the peak, the limestone mountain massif is part of the National Parks of Theth and Valbonë Valley. It can be climbed from the north; most climbers come from Gusinje in Montenegro as well as from Theth.
The summit is from the border with Montenegro, between the Valleys of Valbonë to the east and the Shala to the west. In part, the whole floor between the valley of Valbonë, Shala, Ropojana and Maja Roshit is known as Jezercë, in addition to the peak, Jezercës borders other peaks such as the Maja e Popljuces and the Maja e Alisë in the west, Maja Rrogamit to the east, Maja Kolajet, Maja Malësores, Maja Bojs in the northwest,
Maja Kokervhake and Maja Etheve in the north.

Name

The Maja Jezercë is the Albanian name, which is derived from north dialect of Albania, probably more specifically from North dialect of Tropoja , and Albanian word maja, meaning "peak of Fog". In Slavic languages, including Serbo-Croatian and Bulgarian, Jezerski Vrh means "lake peak". The toponym refers to the cirque lakes in the lower part of the Buni i Jezercës on the northern side of the mountain. During the Communist era in Albania it was given the name of Maja e Rinisë, which never stuck.

Topology

Jezerca is a large rocky peak of dolomitic limestone. There is almost no vegetation there. North, east and west of the mountain top is in great cirque from that in the glacial periods when glaciers were more extensive than today. Today the northern cirque is called Buni i Jezercës at a height of and in height around. Because it is located in the wettest region of Europe with around of rainfall equivalent believed to fall on the western slopes, snowfall is so great that only in dry years do even the less exposed sections melt away.

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