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Fri, Feb 10 2012
The epic Koncheto Ridge - do you dare? Picture gallery
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
This picture gallery will take you to the majestic beauty of the Koncheto Ridge, what is considered by many as the most epic stretch of mountain anywhere in Bulgaria – a ridge which is several hundred metres in length, at times only 30cm wide, with the north face being vertical of roughly 400 metres, and the south face, sloped at about 40 degrees, exceeding 800 metres in depth.
Pirin Mountain at its ultimate splendour is visible from Bansko – with its tallest summits, Vihren, Kutelo, the entire ridge and Banski Suhodol all visible from the town. A drive of roughly 30 minutes from the town centre will lead you up to Bunderitsa lodge, or alternatively, a further 10 minute drive up to Vihren lodge. From there, an assault on the summit of Vihren/and/or Koncheto would necessitate anything from three to four hours, depending on the route you chose.
For a comprehensive article on Vihren and Koncheto, search the Sofia Echo, under "Vihren – Bulgaria’s finest"
For further information, please contact the Sofia Echo and Nick at:
Reporter2@sofiaecho.com
Pirin Mountain at its ultimate splendour is visible from Bansko – with its tallest summits, Vihren, Kutelo, the entire ridge and Banski Suhodol all visible from the town. A drive of roughly 30 minutes from the town centre will lead you up to Bunderitsa lodge, or alternatively, a further 10 minute drive up to Vihren lodge. From there, an assault on the summit of Vihren/and/or Koncheto would necessitate anything from three to four hours, depending on the route you chose.
For a comprehensive article on Vihren and Koncheto, search the Sofia Echo, under "Vihren – Bulgaria’s finest"
For further information, please contact the Sofia Echo and Nick at:
Reporter2@sofiaecho.com
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Oh come on, Pavel, this is no competition! So many beautiful places and I want to see them all!!!
Polish Tatry with its Orla Perć (Eagle's Path) is way better. The views are nice, though. Aren't there any bigger photos?
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.