Hermann Berie

During a long break in the lee, the sun's rays are already spring-like warm on our skin – after all, we are not far from the Aegean in south-eastern Europe. After the sweat-inducing ascent, past Muratov (2669 m) and over the small Hovinati summit, the foehn up here in the Vihren Scharte gives you quite a good airing. Is bad weather coming?

From the snow to the Rila Monastery - Far to the south lie the mountains of the Pirin National Park, which we will visit in the coming days: They glow promisingly in the sun. At the very bottom of the forest, far away from the highest point here, lies the famous Rila Monastery...

Dionysus, god of wine, sensual pleasures and fertility, symbol of immortality - Spartacus, the courageous leader of a slave revolt - Thracian figures from Greek mythology and from the Asterix books of my childhood haunt my dreams.... "Nastráwe" – "Cheers" - did we have too much of the excellent wine from Melnik last night, or did the young freeride lady Maya enchant us with her red and white lucky ribbons for the March holiday?