Lazarow World-Hike-About

The power of water to create both tranquility and disaster and above all, to provide life. Climbing the vertical walls, or as it is known in 'classy' circles, via ferrata, is addictive. When we discovered this location, a little outside the town of Pamporovo, we returned 3 times thereafter to challenge the wall and our nerves. We suppose that's what addictions are all about. Nevertheless, because it suits us to say: There are good addictions and those that are destructive. I suppose if one should fall from the wall then it would considered a destructive pastime with no recovery. Why then should seemingly intelligent people (excuse the licence) undertake such functions? Why indeed? Without being defensive, one may ask why anyone would drive on a freeway at high speeds amongst many maniacs, some impaired? Why would one fly on an airplane? Is the answer to life about living as risk free as possible or is there something more? Perhaps it's about rising to challen...

When we looked back at the pictures posted in this section, we noticed a recurring theme: struggle***. Isn't that what life is about? Take away the struggle and what have you? Overcome or at least deal with the struggles and the rewards will exceed the hardships and by a wide margin. The more sweat, the more satisfaction. ***May we all have reasonable health. Hawaii. Pamporovo, Bulgaria. Mount Everest, South Africa. Sentinel, South Africa. Wheeler Peak, New Mexico. Kutelo Ridge and Peak, Bulgaria. Blacketts Ridge, Tucson, AZ. Mesquite Flats, Death Valley--one giant sandpit. Staggering scenes from Argentina. We humbly ask for many more years together and quite a few peaks, too. Cheers, Jenni and Jeffrey A Big Day. Combined age at wedding date-45 years. Current combined age: Feels 'infinite'. (Pleased I did not take the photograph.)

Early going as we approach and climb the side of the waterfall. Earlier, one of us was stranded on the mountain for twenty minutes, not finding a path down and had the horrid thought about requiring rescue. Later, when I saw the rescue helicopter on our return, it became an emotional moment. There are hikes/climbs that separate the girls from the women and this might just be one of them. The sign displayed 'No Entry' when we reached one of the high points on the trail, a few hundred feet below the peak. However, when we looked at the climb leading from beyond the sign, we noticed a number of hikers struggling upwards. What to do? I asked one of the men standing at the sign to explain. "Deutsch or English?" He asked. Don't you like choice. "English," was the obvious reply. "Nein," he answered. I thought paying nine Euros was a little pricey for some advice. "Don't be dumb," Jenni said, "He means he can...

Autumn has arrived early—the continuing beauty never ceases to amaze and it's going to improve with each passing day. Our commencement point at the buildings below. A view of Chopok and a lesser peak as we approach on the Dumbier trail. Terrific part of the world. Forests below and clear views above, especially when the weather cooperates. We hiked in falling snow on the day. Jen reaches the peak of Chopok from the south. Part of the trail, our own to be exact, pretty steep. On the right below is another cable station. 3 days before we hiked to Mount Chopok, viewed above and to the right. A cable car runs from both sides of the mountain, 'sever and juh', north and south. Last year we hiked from sever, this time, juh. Both times wonderful. Taken from across the way shows the Chata/hotel and at the top, the rotunda—cable station just below Chopok peak. On the return, our own path down the ski slope. Certainly quicker although a little tri...