The end of September on Pirin's highest peak. As far as I remember the area used to attract my mind's interest long ago... The mountains, indeed, as many have already mentioned very much resemble our Tatras excluding marble Vihren massif. Forced to resign from Koncheto ridge traverse and bivouacing due to further plans, we took the simplest, southern summit route leading from Bansko town via Vihren hut and Vihrenski Preslap plateau. The last mountain on our European trail kicked our asses totally.

The impression we'll remember most about the trip will be that arduous climb while which the childish ambitions mixed with the complete discouragement and looking for all possible excuses not to go any step further... and as it often happens, the Sun coming out through clouds and the snow-white pyramide of the peak shining above the head on the right moment tipped the balance. For hundred times that was truly worth of continuing. For those views, awaited for years, for those incredibly big herds of chamoises encountered on the way back down the valley in awesome evening scenery. It started to rain heavily the next day...