69.05 Bulgaria: Bansko: Muratovo Lake commencing from Banderitsa Hut: We imagined it felt like an introduction to Heaven...(we're trying to delay an invitation.)

  In addition to the many natural sights and/or views enroute to Muratovo Lake (glacial at over 7,300 feet) and return, the lake and surrounds appeared, in our opinion, as a reflection or taste of/from 'Heaven'. While the analogy might be ridiculed, the views and feelings did not merely reflect off the water, but they seemed to emanate from within (something similar occurred in Andorra recently, on the hike to a lake along the French border. The few photographs displayed below are a fraction of the sights witnessed. 

  The main display will follow in the future. In the meantime, take a look at a handful, perhaps an eyeful is more appropriate, as we enjoy sharing such beauty with receptive minds. 

Autumn suddenly seems to be making an impact. One of us could handle autumn arriving only once a year...but never departing.
An early sighting of Muratovo Lake.
Colors, reflections, light, backdrop and water mix to form a magical result.
A sultry scene.
A section of reflecting rocks and actual reeds.
Perhaps the Bulgarians should work on their greens. Looks like something's 'crept' into this section. We came down the left side of the 'odd' tree. (Love the 'odd' trees.)
Mountain side and lake surface.
We'll close with Jen appearing on a rock across the water after being invited to make a guest appearance. (That'll cost her another delicious home-cooked dinner...yet again.) What's new!
One could say we liked the hike and outing. 

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

Gone and done it again...just one more. Jen turns to begin walking away into the mountains, as we capture a wide angle of the lake.

A Closer look at the majesty of Mount Vihren of the Pirin Range...'Two Ladies' of the Mountains.

 

The scenes were captured following a new route we found although we concluded sharing part of an earlier track...ski-slope, what else? 

'Madam Vihren': We obviously view the mountain from many positions except when on the peak. We found this view somewhat haunting. Jenni finds it scary all the time...but she's thinking of climbing occasions.

A golden accomplice.

We suppose 'flat-top' might not be appreciated in certain atmospheres...perhaps, a trifle derogatory.
I don't think I've seen such a beautiful smile...as Jen rests on the peak on a previous trip.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

69.04 Bulgaria: Banderitsa: One of the toughest days we can remember. Where's the trail? (introduction published previous week)

The going is rough and tough, but the sights and coloring go a long way to making it worthwhile. Besides, to turn back is unforgivable.

Jen keeps her head down and acts like a trooper...incredible effort.
  When we set out in the morning, we had no intention of undertaking this hike. It was planned for a later date. While there is no trail, only long grass, bushes, rocks, plenty of rolling stones (not music), and stuff you don't want to know, it's the type of challenge that attracts us. While we are not skiers, we find some of our best times are had on the ski-slopes. Who knows? Perhaps it's an underlying 'jealousy' of skiers; then again, maybe there's a fundamental tension with this activity because skiers are so lazy. They ride up in chairlifts and then glide downhill, never raising a sweat. Heck, where's the challenge? (Truth be told, we do admire them, but they can cling to the cold and snow). 

  A distinct advantage for us is that our hiking activities take place when their sport is 'closed'. (In fact, we do have the benefit (huh?) of hiking in snow, too.) This means the mountains, slopes and trails are quiet outside the snow season. Also, many of the ski resorts are closed or almost, allowing us to acquire accommodation easily while enjoying the calm and serenity of the locations. Most of the resorts/areas are also extremely attractive, especially during autumn, to which we believe the photographs attest. They're happy, we're happy...perhaps a tiny step toward 'peace on earth'. 

A few days later we hiked to the area below (the commencement of the Banderitsa-1 chairlift) via a completely different route. It provided another perspective and captured a partial reverse-view of the above picture.
Toward the end of the hike, Jen rises to face another hurdle on an easy path/road. A different slope behind leading to the same conclusion.
An unusually friendly hiker waves to Jen while the overpowering Mount Vihren looks on rather stoically.
A view of Bansko in the distance; a ski-station to the right that we passed and the pond near Banderitsa-1. There is also a children's playground in the area. We see quite a few elderly visitors trying the swings. We observe closely so that by next year, we'll be in the swing of it ourselves.
Quite staggering the shows nature presents at different times of the year. It's also less than gentle with its slopes.
A subtle display of the big mountains. Vihren on the left, Kutelo to the right and Jenni and Jeffrey considering a 'U-turn' home.
As we 'speak', Jen continues up the slope, a somewhat 'smoother' part of the trail.
After years of searching without wishing to check-in, we looked down and spotted the Hotel California under the 'eagles' above.
The next three deal with the views of the mountains, slope and mainly, the very attractive and unusual Kutelo.

Already struggling in the early stages of the third leg. Could do with a couple more legs. Been told often enough: I have the brain of an antelope so it seems not far to go to make the changes.
Close to home and in a more relaxed mode. Jen should not turn her back on Vihren...it might not forget such action on our visit.
Even the dead grass is attractive.
Another of Bansko: Higher up with a longer lense.
Ride the waves, Jen, hmm...slopes.
The slope should be declared 'illegal'...while Vihren at rear, 'smiles'.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

69.03 Bulgaria: Bansko: Ski slope commencing at Banderitsa 1, wandering below the mountain.

An earlier trip as snow fell overnight. No wonder this is our fourth visit.
Taking a walk in the town (Bansko) with staggering views. (You can line up this picture with that above.)
Love the snow for views; hate to hike upon it. Another of life's trade-offs or a spoiled boy.
Next week's challenges should I be able to get out of bed.
Reflections make our days.
On a previous trip, we reached a Banderista ski station which is above the top ski-lift pylons continuing toward the right. Love it when clouds decide not to remain high in the sky but come down to visit. Earlier than expected, we repeated the hike in what we consider very rough terrain. See later.
Jen spent some time explaining how stiff her legs were from the day before's opening hike. It was most informative...I think.
The 'bandit' from another angle. We get exhausted just looking. Well, come Thursday, we'll have to come up with a heck of an excuse otherwise we'll be climbing. The real issue is that there are no trails, so the going is rough. (Actually accomplished it on the Tuesday, thanks to Jenni's unbridled enthusiasm.)
Always time for tranquility. In the following picture, one can view this pond from most positions on the Banderista slopes.
The above pond seen from the mountain slope, still a long way to go. The building (top left) is place where hikers congregate to swop nutty stories.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

68.30 Andorra: Estany de l'Ila, a tough climb with very little knowledge of the route and destination.

One rough and tough climb with an unclear path.
Early stages as we find our feet...still below us.
Jen seems to have perfected the art of climbing at a right angle for balance.
Having 'conquered' the very steep section, we look to part two.
Jen continues to test her body 'angles'.
The final scene to which we were headed.
Indication of the steepness. We came up on the left side of this cliff.
Jen arrives at Estany de l'Ila, finally. There were a number of false peaks and bowls along the route; the previous picture is a fine illustration of the climb.
A different perspective.
And another. A feeling of being in the meadows but with radical inclines.
Our first indication we are on track.
Some island hopping a little below our destination.
That's the route...step along the shaky rocks.
Jen returning.
That's a route of return. Quite a backdrop.
A nice finish although an inadequate reward for the effort...truth be told, the reward is always in the effort.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey