Tue, Feb 09 2010
The entire span of the Koncheto Ridge, as seen from Vihren summit. Kutelo summit at 2908 metres on the right, the ridge itself, Banski Suhodol summit to the left, and the Koncheto shelter, extreme left
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
The view from Vihren summit, 2914 metres, looking towards Todorka, Kamenitsa, Bezbog, and the rest of the Pirin range
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
Miroslava Doynova soaking up the scenery on the descend from Vihren's north face, en route to the Koncheto Ridge.
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
The north face of Vihren, 2914 metres.
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
On top of Kutelo summit, 2908 metres, facing Vihren. Left to right: Stefan Duchev, photographer Dobrin Minkov, Nick Iliev, Miroslava Doynova and Stela Georgieva
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
The beginning of the Koncheto Ridge. The col itself is not as narrow and no rigging is necessary here. The north face is a vertical drop of about 400 metres, whereas the south face is sloped at 40 degrees, exceeding 800 metres in depth.
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
This is where Koncheto gets increasingly narrow and becomes ever steeper.
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
Dobrin and Mira on the ridge - mad as nails.
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
Mira and Stefan on the ridge - sporting a wild grin. Yes, it's THAT epic!
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
Nick on the ridge and the infamous road sign "narrow way ahead"
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
Koncheto
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
Mira and NIck on Banski Suhodol summit, beyond, the Koncheto Ridge and Kutelo, and still further back to the right, Vihren.
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
Dobrin, Stefan, Stela, Nick, Mira - Vihren in the background, beyond to the left "Strajite" - The Wardens
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
Why walk, when you can slide down on your bottom? Stela and Mira cheating on the hike.
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
Standing on the summit of Vihren at 2914m
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
Just some of the magic that is Pirin Mountain. Facing towards Sinanitsa to the right
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
Ribnoto Ezero, relaxing by the gorgeous lake, the day after the ascend to the summit of Vihren and Koncheto.
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
Ribnoto Ezero, and Vihren in the background.
Photo: Dobrin Minkov
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A photo gallery of the Pride of the Atlas.
Mountain Rescue Patrol rescues the man and fallen woman who spent the night in extreme weather conditions. The woman suffered extensive and multiple injuries when she fell from the Koncheto Ridge
Mountain Rescue services are hampered by the ongoing blizzard in the mountain.
The mountain of the Gods
Stephen Wright, from Gloucestershire in southwest England, died while attempting to scale the vertical Zilnia wall
The march is designed to raise awareness of the mountains and to rally against ongoing development, construction and deforestation in Rila and Vitosha
This picture gallery will take you to the Malyovitsa summit, in the northwestern part of the Rila Mountains range, standing at 2,729m. It is one of the most iconic peaks in the entire range
Climber hails "greatest achievement of his life".
Botev summit and Raiskoto Pruskalo
The organisation fears that with the arrival of the next Government, the systematic destruction of natural habitat will continue.
Pirin National Park was included in the World Heritage list of Unesco in 1983, but the organisation had expressed its concerns repeatedly after the construction of the Bansko ski resort centre was initiated.
Central Balkan mountain range national park is one of the most stunning places in the country, by far.
Part three of The Sofia Echo’s series on hiking in Bulgaria. This time we go to Pirin Mountain, considered by many to be the best place for hiking in Bulgaria
Part One of Four: this sequence will explore Bulgaria's tallest mountains, Rila, Pirin, Vitosha and Stara Planina, and some of the most beautiful and enchanting routes to reach them. Watch this space for part two, next week!
travel clubBook 4 and pay 3 nights in a Luxury property in central Istanbul.
Ritz Carlton Istanbul Hotel
Dlx Parkview Twin: 205 euro (B&B)
The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul, voted Best International Business Hotel by Condé Nast Travellers Readers' Awards in 2009.
Journey to the crossroads of two continents, where Asia and Europe come together along the banks of the beautiful Bosphorus Strait. The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul hotel in Taksim Square stands in the center of this fascinating, flavorful city, epitomizing its welcoming spirit and the harmonic convergence between East and West, and past and present.
Bathed in Ottoman-inspired splendor that pays homage to the rich historical traditions of Turkey, this stunning Bosphorus hotel features:
244 well-appointed guest rooms, including 23 suites and 57 Ritz-Carlton Club Level rooms.
Exceptional restaurant and bars offering delectable experiences
More than 2,403 square meters / 25,866 square feet of meeting and conference space.
Laveda Spa featuring indoor pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, authentic Turkish Hamam, fitness center and nine treatment rooms including two Couple Suites as well as outdoor Spa during summer months.
The prices are per night per room.
Rate shown is the cheapest during the mentioned period.
Free nights and discounts are already reflected on the rates.
Rates and space are subject to availability.
High risk of avalanches in all Bulgarian mountains, rescue service warns.
A photo gallery of the Pride of the Atlas.
Fewer foreigners came to Bulgaria and fewer Bulgarians travelled abroad.
A decision to buy holiday homes in Bulgaria ultimately cost a Dutch mayor his job
The Bansko Tourist Association has called for the Bulgarian Government to seek compensation for financial losses incurred by the "unjust embargo".
Bridgitte, thanks for the comment. Firstly, the pictures are great, as you said, because the place is unreal. In a mountain as beautiful as this, you would have to be REALLY TALENTED to make dodgy pictures in the first place.
and yes, we take guests, provided you can carry your own weight and bring an ample supply of rakia or its norwegian equivalent.
hello Nick. i am from Oslo and i live here in Sofia and love reading your mountain pieces. those pictures are truly breathtaking. do you take guests in your group? x x x
Wow, amazing! That hike looks like it takes a lot of courage.