#musala — Public Fediverse posts

I climbed Musala for the first time since 2001

Musala is the highest peak in Bulgaria, standing at 2925 meters, and also currently a major tourist hot spot. We attempted to climb it last year with the little one, who was 6 at the time. Gave up at around 2600-2650 meters. He got motion sickness this year and didn’t want to hike, the big kid didn’t want to try without the little one, and after much waiting to figure out what to do, my wife encouraged me to try on my own. Hard to repeat circumstances.

So, I started at 11:10 from Yastrebets. My recommendation would be to start much, much earlier to avoid the sunburns. See the blue sky? The UV was insane. The little triangle, close to the center, is Musala, 13000 steps away and about 500 meters above the starting point. Not much for seasoned hikers, close to my limit for me.

I got strong headache in the area of the Musala hut and was ready to give up but didn’t and at some point it went away.

It was pretty crowded at the top.

Met a cat on the way back, at around 2500 meters altitude. I grew up meeting mountain dogs, who would just walk with you for a few kilometers and then depart. First time I see a cat living by the path.

Going back was hard. I can’t imagine doing this hike with kids without sleeping in one of the huts.

There’s a 3-4km path between Yastrebets and Musala that’s nearly flat but is in reality a series of small hills and you go up and down, up and down. Takes away all of your energy. The peak isn’t really that far but it felt exhausting.

Just like I mentioned in the post last year, any attempts to reach the top must start way earlier, when it’s colder and the sun is down. And only in good weather.

The hike was around 26000 steps and took 5h. I hurried a bit too much because I started late and didn’t want to miss the gondola, which closes either at 18 or 18:20, depending on which sign you trust. Given the very high number of people walking everywhere, I suspect it won’t close until the last person is off the mountain. I could’ve spent another 2h just chilling, making long breaks but I also didn’t have sun screen and that was not wise. By the time I was walking down, it already hurt.

So, a note to me. Next time, if there’s a next time at all, apply sun screen and start early.

I climbed Musala for the first time since 2001

Musala is the highest peak in Bulgaria, standing at 2925 meters, and also currently a major tourist hot spot. We attempted to climb it last year with the little one, who was 6 at the time. Gave up at around 2600-2650 meters. He got motion sickness this year and didn’t want to hike, the big kid didn’t want to try without the little one, and after much waiting to figure out what to do, my wife encouraged me to try on my own. Hard to repeat circumstances.

So, I started at 11:10 from Yastrebets. My recommendation would be to start much, much earlier to avoid the sunburns. See the blue sky? The UV was insane. The little triangle, close to the center, is Musala, 13000 steps away and about 500 meters above the starting point. Not much for seasoned hikers, close to my limit for me.

I got strong headache in the area of the Musala hut and was ready to give up but didn’t and at some point it went away.

It was pretty crowded at the top.

Met a cat on the way back, at around 2500 meters altitude. I grew up meeting mountain dogs, who would just walk with you for a few kilometers and then depart. First time I see a cat living by the path.

Going back was hard. I can’t imagine doing this hike with kids without sleeping in one of the huts.

There’s a 3-4km path between Yastrebets and Musala that’s nearly flat but is in reality a series of small hills and you go up and down, up and down. Takes away all of your energy. The peak isn’t really that far but it felt exhausting.

Just like I mentioned in the post last year, any attempts to reach the top must start way earlier, when it’s colder and the sun is down. And only in good weather.

The hike was around 26000 steps and took 5h. I hurried a bit too much because I started late and didn’t want to miss the gondola, which closes either at 18 or 18:20, depending on which sign you trust. Given the very high number of people walking everywhere, I suspect it won’t close until the last person is off the mountain. I could’ve spent another 2h just chilling, making long breaks but I also didn’t have sun screen and that was not wise. By the time I was walking down, it already hurt.

So, a note to me. Next time, if there’s a next time at all, apply sun screen and start early.

And of course at 2925 meters a cat is casually protecting the place. I met Mary at least twice on different stages of my way up.

#cats #balkan #musala

And of course at 2925 meters a cat is casually protecting the place. I met Mary at least twice on different stages of my way up.

#cats #balkan #musala

Χαιρετίσματα από την ψηλότερη κορυφή των Βαλκανίων #musala