60.15/16/17/18: Bulgaria: Annual Bloggers Convention (and blog break) in Bansko.

  As we prepare for the annual ‘Bloggers’ Get-Together’ in Bansko, Bulgaria, we will also take a blogger’s break for a while. This year we have placed on the agenda puzzling sets of behavior that take place particularly at ski-regions. While the actions and questions are not limited to skiers, they apply equally to hikers. Mountain climbers may be those who take, but not eat, the proverbial cake. The latter are pleased that at least Ms. Antoinette no longer attends these occasions. Back to the agenda: It appears this phenomenon will be discussed and optimistically speaking, answers will be forthcoming this year. 

  Why is it that people will hike up to mountaintops and then walk back down? Skiers will ride up and skate down on smooth planks of various materials. Some will ride up in cable cars and then walk down. Fewer walk to the summits and then ride down should cable-cars be available. Others will ride up and down—some say these are indeed the smart ones. Whatever the case, this year’s George Mallory prize for original thinking will be awarded to a hopeful solution finder. (Mr. Mallory was indeed a heroic man.) 

  Prior to the conference and our blog sabbatical, we have placed a few photographs illustrating but a handful of the natural treasures of Bulgaria to which we have had the pleasure of hiking. We continue to look forward with much excitement to further exploration on foot of this fascinating country during the next weeks.

   Extracts from Kutelo Hike, our latest which proved to be tough, once again. 

Early morning timing is almost perfect.
Third climbing section of at least seven, awaits our arrival.
Mount Vihren towers in the background as Jen returns from its neighbor to the right, Kutelo.
They're working on softening up the granite a little for the older folks.
Side view of Kutelo as we make our way up between the two giants.
Climbing up was strenuous, returning was difficult.

7-Rila Lakes Section

Reaching a minor peak above a lake.

A view from Black Peak.
Got me...no explanation.
A trio of lakes.
A different trio of lakes from above, viewed from the peak.
Forty minutes after returning from peak of Black Mountain, we negotiate the tricky, steep rocks.
Bezbog Section, less than an introduction. 

Soon after reaching this point on the way down from Bezbog Lake, we lost our way. We had made a marker of one of the green trees in our minds and had trouble identifying it thereafter.
Bezbog Lake after hiking nearly 2-hours up from lower hut.
Fascinating features of the surface.
Vihren Peak Section.

Jen on Vihren Peak, a spectacular day but not a lot of fun.
Jen still on the peak bumps into a familiar face.
A day of entertainment starring clouds. 

  A lunar scene as we head for the peak...(should think about a right-turn).

Walking on the peak edge in one of the best places to be...except for maybe the others. 

  The remaining section down to Vihren Hut, some 3,100 feet from Vihren Peak. Another tricky aspect although short in distance but not duration. 

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey