The mountain does not forgive unpreparedness
Dear hikers!
We won't recommend another list of ten must-have items for your travel backpack…
But dress according to the season and as the old Bulgarians say:
„Winter time with a bag, summer time with a sheepskin coat!“
Wise, right?
The man with whom I have always felt safe in the mountains – Stanoi Arabadzhiev from „Through Mountains and Forests“, likes to say:
„There's no bad weather, only unprepared tourists!“
And he is a hundred percent right.
Adventures from Bulgaria - as many as you want.
I will never forget how on the Dormition of the Mother of God, in mid-August, it hailed on top of Vihren, and the temperature was around zero. Our trusty windbreaker saved us.
What should always be in a hiking backpack
You need to have a waterproof jacket and, if possible, waterproof pants. It is good to wear a large raincoat that covers both you and your backpack. Some hikers prefer a separate cover just for the backpack.
Take them with you. Don't let them gather dust at home.
Don't forget about gaiters either. They take up almost no space but can often prove indispensable. Learn how to put them on correctly. It took me time... I can imagine how much the tourists around me were amused.
Cheeks protect knees
Cheeks are invaluable, especially when descending.
Our knees were saved on an extreme descent from the Balkan Mountains ridge to Apriltsi, on the „easy“ route.
The small first-aid kit can turn out to be the most important luggage.
Carry a minimal pack of medicines, especially if you have any health problems.
Sometimes you will help not only yourself but also someone in the group.
Repellents are not a luxury. In the summer, use products against mosquitoes and ticks.
The last ones abound in the grasses of wilder mountains like Strandzha, as well as wherever there are pastures and game.
In a word - almost everywhere.
If you are going to the mountains alone
You must know the route well and have the necessary navigation tools – a map, compass, and GPS. Don't rely solely on your phone. Coverage isn't always good, and technology can also fail.
Don't be overly confident.
I remember how once, despite maps and preparations, we failed to reach a nameless peak above the meanders of the Arda, high above the Kardzhali dam. It was said that an old Roman road passed over it.
The navigation completely failed us.
Instead, in the middle of the wildest and most impassable place, plastic advertising signs with the phone number of the family hotel „Borovitsa,“ where we were supposed to stay, hung from the trees.
Even today, I wonder how they managed to place them exactly there.
A charged phone can be crucial
Charge your mobile phone to maximum before each trip.
If you have a power bank, even better.
Choose your mountain guide carefully. If you are with a mountain guide, research them beforehand.
Over the years, I've heard enough disturbing stories to know how important this is.
Don't fall behind the group
If you are in an organized group, never fall behind.
Especially when there is fog.
It only takes a few seconds for a person to stop, bend down, or fall behind, and they've already gone in the wrong direction.
This happened to me once in the Ponor mountain, near Svoge.
I bent down for a second to get something sweet from my backpack. When I looked up, the group was gone.
I developed.
The leader heard me, turned back, and made me walk directly behind him for the rest of the hike.
For guidance.
Winter hikes require more discipline
With heavy snow, the mountain guide breaks trail if the group is not using snowshoes.
If you want the transition to be easier for you, stay a little further back. The snow ahead of you will already be packed down. Usually, the people walking in front take turns so they can rest.
The mountain teaches not only endurance but also mutual assistance.
The sun in the mountains should not be underestimated
The sun is strong in the mountains in both summer and winter. It is most treacherous in the spring.
Use sunscreen with a high SPF. Sunburns on the face, nose, ears, and shoulders can be serious and leave unpleasant marks.
Quality sunglasses are not a luxury, but a necessity.
Equipment is not the „feather“ to skimp on
Today there are many good manufacturers of outdoor gear. I won't recommend specific brands – everyone has their own preferences.
But there are things worth investing in.
The most important thing in camping gear
• Quality hiking boots – the best investment for any hiker. Choose according to the season and terrain.
• Comfortable backpack – with a good carrying system and enough pockets. Your back and shoulders will thank you.
• Sunglasses – with reliable UV protection.
• Breathable fabrics – for comfort in summer and quality thermal underwear in winter.
• Hat – a summer hat for sun protection and a warm winter hat or headband for cold days.
• Hiking socks – don't underestimate them. It's good to always have a spare pair in your backpack.
Nail file – a small item that often proves very useful.
• A knife – you never know when you might need one.
Lip balm – preferably with SPF.
• Thermos and water bottle – good hydration is a must in all seasons.
• A piece of chocolate, Turkish delight, or pretzels – a small reserve of quick energy is never superfluous.
If you are without a leader
If you're going with friends without a mountain guide, research the route in advance.
Familiarize yourself with the elevation, markings, possible deviations, and weather forecast.
Good preparation starts even before the first step.
An unsolicited piece of advice to the ladies
And one more thing...
Do not go on a summer mountain hike with a lot of pedicures. For snowshoes, a precautionary measure is trimmed nails.
During long descents, the toes are pressed into the shoes and often by evening, the fingernails are already gone...
Believe me.
The mountain always rewards the prepared
Is there anything we missed?.
You can always count on the preliminary information from the organizer and the mountain guide.
The mountain is beautiful. It gives us freedom, silence, strength, and that feeling of being part of something much larger.
But it demands respect.
Prepare well, protect nature, protect the people around you, and most importantly – protect yourself. Then the mountain – Her Majesty – may allow us in.
Then each subsequent path will lead you to a new adventure.
See more for the author Maria Radeva here
