After yesterday's difficult hike, today we have a hike that is not much easier.
Ahead of us is a ridge over the peaks of Opreno, Tippik and Prevalski Chukar. All with an altitude of over 2600 m above sea level.
Pirin - Frog Lake in the distance, Long Lake in the foreground
Interestingly, I read this route from the map and I didn't read anything about it on the internet. I was all the more surprised that it was much more interesting to the eye than the climb to Vihren. The start of this route starts again from the Vihren hut. For transport to it today we will not use the cable car, but a half-price local shuttle that will take us to the hut. The departure of the shuttle was at half past eight from the hotel Strazhite. Of course it was delayed, but as there were more of us waiting, we had confidence that it would probably run. When the shuttle arrived, we found that we couldn't all fit (the starting point is at the bus station). But the quick Bulgarian people let us call a second one, so about ten minutes later we were climbing in our private shuttle. You pay all the way to the terminus and you even get a ticket. I don't remember the exact price, but at the time of writing it was 8 Leva on the internet. Still, I recommend checking the price and departure on the spot.
Stands with refreshments in front of Vihren
The Team
Cottage Vihren
At the Vihren hut some of us start our snack marathon and then we go on a "snack" march to the Frog Lake. On the way we can still see Rybné jezero in the distance. At Frog Lake, another snack is served. The girls take pictures of the brave little pigeons, which Ála does not resist and takes a light bath to the loud laughter of the others in the lake. Tom, on the other hand, shortens his wait for the girls by bathing in the lake. He volunteers.
Fish Lake below the peak of Donchovi Karauli
Fish Lake
Frog lake
Frog Lake - the dove came out here ...
...not here anymore.
Frog Lake
Our steps continue on to Long Lake, followed by a path over piles of large boulders and sometimes it is necessary to look for a hiking sign. Halfway up this climb, it's time for a snack again.
Long Lake
Long Lake
The initial gentle climb begins to turn steep. And after an hour's journey from the long lake we find ourselves on a ridge at 2550 m.a.s.l. The stupid thing is that we have most of the way to go and the clock already shows twelve hours. So I forbid snacks and command a march.
Climbing
Vrcholo - ridge
This is still to come
The first stop is below and at the top of Opreno (2655 m) with a view of Lake Vasilas.
Lake Vasilas
Lake Vasilas
Ascent to the top of Opreno (2655 m.a.s.l.)
From Opreno we continue to the Golyam Tipik Peak (2654 m.a.s.l.) with a view of Tipik Lakes and Tipik Peak (2655 m.a.s.l. ).
View of Tipik (2654 m.a.s.l.)
Tipik Lake
On the way to Tipik (2655 m.a.s.l.) we will have quite a dramatic rocky transition with narrow paths and slopes on both sides. It was most critical where there was a narrow ledge and a deep cliff below. Nothing for people with vertigo. At least the view of Tipica Lakes was nice. Janet and I walked this section more slowly, so the rest of the group was ahead and waiting for us behind Tipik. They used this time for a last snack. The last one because they had run out of all their supplies. The effect of this was that the girls, afraid of being hungry for a long time, shifted into second gear :D and some even had to run after them.
Critical transition
Tipik Lake
The last peak that awaited us was Prevalski Chukar (2608 m.a.s.l.), from which we had a view of the system of lakes below the Jangal peak, each at a different altitude. There were also cows grazing in abundance.
Prevalski Chukar (2608 m.a.s.l.)
System of lakes below the Jangal peak (2547 m.a.s.l.)
The valley of the river Demjanice
Tourist Signs
With more time I would have preferred to continue to Dzhangal and beyond, because this part of Pirin was a really nice place. But instead we started descending to the valley of the river Demjanica. This began the endlessly boring 15 km march to Bansko. At the beginning, when the valley was still stretched to the sides, it was still possible. There was still something to look at. Once the trail entered the forest, it was just a boring endless march.
Prebal Lake
The valley of the river Demjanice
We arrived in Bansko around 6:30 p.m. We quickly shopped at the store and hurried to our accommodation and showers. We had dinner in the form of Šopák, Tarator and Pljeskavica, just like the first day in Mechanica Baj Koce. After that we were glad to go to bed. Tomorrow we will leave Bansko for good, Pirin and after a swim in the thermal springs we will move to Samokov to the Rila mountains.
Useful links:
Ski Bansko website
Timetable of the shuttle to Vihren Cottage
Guest room Vachin
