Conquering Musala 2012

It is not a first time that I am climbing Musala. But it is a first to take the path from Belmeken dam - a 25 km trek on a mostly even terrain with the last 5 km or so with ups and downs on the rocky ground. The bones were crackling, the ground was soft, the sun was rough, the wind was deceitful. You smile together with everyone around, marvelling at the way the water makes its way through the ground, the way the pine trees feed you their green pine cones without protest. You are standing on that edge and hoping that you don't slip; and yet, you come closer to have your breath taken away by the view. You walk into the clouds as if they are a fluffy ball of pink candy cotton. And it melts under your feet just like the real cotton.

July Vacation Last Days – of Emotional and Altitudinal Highs

Friday, 22nd July – clear skies, fresh air, cool summer temperatures, herbs in purple, cold water. 07:55 – morning sunshine in Sofia, group gathers together. On the road. Till 09:55 or so. Vihren Mountain Hut our starting point. Step by step, up and up, kilometer by kilometer, breath after breath. 10:39 I see the peak and in front of it a flower – yellow, leaves, a pyramid; the peak is still a fog away. 11:13 I see a stone with orange moss – not red like blood, but orange like fire. 11:31 the peek feels further away – like a goal that takes a lifetime to accomplish. 11:47 wind comes over as a warning – almost stealing my scarf, my protection, my astrological map. 11:55 last bits of vegetation are left behind and only rocks remain in front – a pyramid of rocks, of marble, unpolished and raw – like debris. People left their mark – arranging stones in shapes and words etching white on green. 12:05 dark clouds try to scare. 12:30 we are there on the top. Joyous of the conquest of peak Vihren, joyous of our dear cousin nailing great results in university examination. 13:45 we go down – an hour sunshine, fruit and honey is enough. 15:28 we are down ready for a break drinking water like a whale adding honey like a bee.