Golyam Mechi Peak – a Winter Ascent NEW
A one-day winter climb of Golyam Mechi Peak (2,618 m) in southwest Rila, by way of Makedonia hut, with views across Rila, Pirin and the Rhodopes.
We start from Kartala, high above Blagoevgrad, and climb through old-growth forest along the Blagoevgradska Bistritsa valley to Makedonia hut – one of the highest huts in the Balkans. From there, the long open slope that Golyam Mechi Peak is known for leads us to the top. There are no technical sections, but it is a big day – around 9 hours on foot and 1,200 m of ascent through snow – so this program is for hikers in very good shape with some experience of winter conditions.
What's included
Included
- Complete organization and coordination of the program
- Licensed guide
- Transportation during the program
- Travel insurance with limit - 500 euro. The insurance is concluded with the insurance company Euroins
Compliment from the agency
- Showshoes and crampons — snowshoes and ice crampons may be required during this program. If you don't have one, we will provide it to you completely free of charge
Not included
- Food
- Personal expenses
Tour Itinerary
We leave Sofia early and drive via Blagoevgrad and Bodrost up to Kartala, the small ski area above the town – about 2 hours 20 minutes in all. At the car park we sort out our rucksacks, the guide checks everyone's kit and gives a short briefing, and we set off uphill.
The first part of the hike follows the forest road up the Blagoevgradska Bistritsa valley. The gradient is steady and in winter the track is often well trodden, so the height comes gradually. We walk through old-growth conifer forest along the edge of the Parangalitsa reserve. A little past halfway the trees thin out and the white slopes of Rila open up ahead. After about three hours we reach Makedonia hut (2,166 m), tucked into the Mechi Prohod saddle between Golyam and Malak Mechi Peak. The place was once called Aygidik – Turkish for "bear pass".
After a short break we take on the hardest part of the day – the broad, open slope above the hut. Over roughly two kilometres we gain another 450 m, and the summit seems to keep moving away. The reward waits at 2,618 m: from Golyam Mechi Peak the view takes in the high ridges of Rila, the whole of Pirin to the south and the Rhodope ridges to the east.
We come down the same way, or by an alternative line depending on the snow.
Important:
Winter trekking equipment
Shoes
High shoes with hard sole and membrane
Spare socks
Lighting
Headlamp - An absolute must-have accessory for every mountaineer. It may be necessary for the group to start a trek very early or finish the trek in the dark (force majeure). In these situations, each participant must have a headlamp. We recommend going with a proven brand like Petzl or BlackDiamond
Spare batteries
Backpack
About 40 liters backpack - Quite enough for one or two day hikes. Please come to treks with a backpack suitable for trekking. Very often, each participant needs to attach snowshoes to their backpack, and this cannot happen with urban backpacks
Backpack cover - in case of rain or snowfall
Clothing top
Тhermal base layer
Fleece
A down jacket or other jacket with synthetic insulation
Wind and water proof jacket
Hat
Gloves - 3 pairs of gloves, one thin, one medium thick and one for very bad conditions
Buff
Clothing bottom
Тhermal bottom base layer
Winter pants
Gaiters
Sun protection
Sunglasses
Sun cream with high protection
Water and food
Water (1.5 liters)
Food for the trek
Money and documents
Money
ID or passport
Other
First aid kit
Trekking poles with winter feathers
Cancellation Policy:
Чл. 89. (Изм. – ДВ, бр. 37 от 2018 г., в сила от 01.07.2018 г.) (1) Пътуващият има право да прекрати договора за туристически пакет по всяко време преди започването на изпълнението на туристическия пакет. The tourist owes a penalty as follows: