Because of its pyramidal, conical shape, Špik is one of the most admired and impressive mountains in the Alps.
For extreme climbers, who see no sacred place as sacred enough to be left alone, this wall represents a sort of "forbidden fruit". After WWI, a real battle arose between the best local and foreign climbers of the time, to conquer its north wall which was then acknowledged to be one of the most significant alpine challenges.
In 1926, to the surprise of many, the first climbers to reach its peak via the direct route were Mira Marko Debeljak and Stanko Tominšek. The success of this local team spread the fame of Slovenian mountain climbing across the world and single-handedly propelled it to the world class level where it remains to this day. Five years later, an even more difficult route was drawn by Pavla Jesih and Jože Lipovec. Because of a strong presence of women among the climbers who have conquered the Špik, the mountain, which was otherwise a symbol of propriety and masculinity, became known as a "ladies' mountain", proving that women are equal to men in the mountains, as elsewhere.
