Roaming around the Bulgarian Mountains in Searching of the Most "Delicious" Air and Breathtaking Views- Pirin

Mountains are a significant part of the territory of Bulgaria - more than 1/3, and exploring them and enjoying the beautiful nature, the breathtaking views, the clean air is something that I will never get tired to do.

Actually the more I do it, the more I need it. As I mentioned in one of my posts - high altitude is a natural drug, it is scientifically proven, that climbing the mountains is addictive, That's because high in the mountain there is less oxygen,
and lack of oxygen can increase levels of dopamine in the brain. And dopamine makes us feel positive, energetic, satisfied and happy. That's why people tend to feel better in the mountains, and they continue to go back and after a period of time it becomes an addiction.

I remember my first mountain hike several years ago. A friend of mine almost dragged me to Cherni vrah (Black Peak) in Vitosha mountain near Sofia. I was complaining and murmuring throughout the whole time and I was so angry at him that he made me walk so much :D. Since than I've hiked to this peak at least hundred more times. I have no idea how this happened, but I am more than sure, that the more you hike, the more you like it and need it. Actually the more you move, the more you need it, doesn't matter how.
And the air... oh.. the mountain air... I find it "delicious", breathing deeply mountain air is one of the best things!

The mountain ranges in Bulgaria differ from one another - each of them has its specifics, unique combination of relief, landscapes, climate, nature and population. Pirin mountain has alpine relief sharp ridges, , rocky peaks and cliffs, deep cirques, well shaped glacier valleys and numerous lakes. And of course - delicious air :)

These are my photos from a trek from Vihren Hut to Vihren Peak (the highest in Pirin) , Koncheto (the Foal) -probably our most notorious mountain ridge, and Yavorov Hut.

Vihren Peak - 2914m.

And the view from Vihren Peak.

This is Vihren Peak again, after we crossed it, this is its other side.

This is Koncheto ( The Foal) - a ridge so narrow, that you can ride it, that's where its name comes :) Crossing it from side to side is a challenge for anyone with a fear of heights! At times just half a metre wide, Koncheto has that name because inexperienced tourists would rather cross it by riding it than walking on top of it.

Koncheto Shelter is a small building secured to the rocks with metal ropes. It is located at 2760m of altitude, it can save you as the weather on Pirin Mountain is unpredictable and can change in minutes.

There are all kinds of provisions inside.

We spent the night at Yavorov Hut, and the next day I woke up pretty early, hours before the other and hike again alone in the dark with headlamp . I wanted to catch the sunrise, but I could not find a suitable spot, there were some rocks between me and the sun and I could not see it rising.. At least I found a heart.. at 5:55. This should mean something?!

So instead of taking pictures of the rising sun, I had to take pictures of the rocks and to make selfies..

Thanks for reading!