Sat, Nov 21 2009
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
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!
Bulgarian winter resorts expect to sell out during holiday season
Loss of Russians could be compensated with an increase of British tourists, one tourist industry association says.
Bulgarian visits abroad matched the trend, with the exception of Macedonia where there was a 15.7 per cent increase.
Last-minute bookings hold the key to success in Bulgaria’s upcoming winter tourism season as holidaymakers hunt for bargains.
Bookings from the UK and Russia for the winter season have declined, but industry analysts say that Bulgaria relies mostly on last-minute bookings.
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.