Pirin Mountains: Another Avalanche, Another Life Lost

A young Norwegian skier was killed this afternoon in the Pirin Mountains when he ventured off-piste into one of the gullies which drop down from Mount Todorin Vrah towards the Demyanitsa Valley and was then caught up in an avalanche. This is the third death from avalanches this year in the Pirin Mountains, and once again the Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Services are calling on people not to venture off-piste into these dangerous avalanche regions.

Central Balkans: Very Strong Winds on Mount Botev

The high parts of the Bulgarian Mountains have again been subject to very strong winds today. This time Mount Botev in the Central Balkans (Stara Planina) has been the windiest peak with speeds averaging 30m/s, and at times topping 40m/s.

Rila Mountains: Fog & Gales on Mount Musala

Fog and gales in the high parts of the Bulgarian Mountains are making conditions very difficult and dangerous. On Mount Musala in the Rila Mountains the average wind speed today has been 29m/s, with the wind at times reaching speeds of 34m/s.

Rila Mountains: Avalanche Incident below Mount Musala

Having successfully reached the summit of Mount Musala in the Rila Mountains, a group of skiers attempted to ski down one of the gullies on the eastern flank of the peak towards Ledenoto Ezero. However, almost immediately after the first skier set off, a slab-type avalanche broke away behind him and swept him up. Thankfully one of his fellow skiers managed to located him very quickly and partly dig him out. The rescue was then assisted by meteorologists from the weather-station on the summit of Mount Musala and the victim was swiftly dug out and found to be miraculously unharmed!

Central Balkans: Mountain Rescue Services Save Man

A man who tried to make his way home to the village of Anton across the main ridge of the Central Balkans (Stara Planina) in atrocious weather and without proper clothing, equipment and food supplies, was finally discovered and saved by the Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Services. He was located in an abandoned shack on the northern slopes of the Central Balkans (Stara Planina) suffering from hypothermia, dehydration and exhaustion. Apparently he had been trapped in the mountains for 5 days when he finally made a call for help on his mobile phone.

Pirin Mountains: Mountain Rescue Action to Save Snowboarder & Skier

In two seperate incidents in the Pirin Mountains, the Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Services today had to rescue a skier and a snowboarder who, despite all the recent warnings, had ventured off-piste into dangerous avalanche zones. Both became stuck and unable to proceed safely without assistance from the Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Services. The skier is said to have been a 13-year old child.

Pirin Mountains: Avalanche Falls without Incident

An avalanche is reported to have fallen again in the Pirin Mountains today, but thankfully this time without incident or injury. The avalanche fell in the region of Tsarna Mogila.

'Pirin' National Park: Clamping Down on Illegal Extreme Sports

The growing tendency for off-piste skiing and snowboarding, and the increasing illegal use of snowmobiles and ATV (all terrain vehicles) within the 'Pirin' National Park has just been highlighted by the Directorate of the 'Pirin' National Park. Such activities are in direct contravention of the Protected Areas Act and the Management Plan for the 'Pirin' National Park. Furthermore, these activities frequently trigger avalanches in the mountains.

The Directorate of the 'Pirin' National Park is now reminding tourist agencies and other operators currently promoting and organising such extreme sports that these activities are illegal within the 'Pirin' National Park, and that in future they will be clamping down on them and that legal action will be taken against those ignoring and breaking the national park regulations.

Bulgarian Mountains: High Risk of Avalanche Continues

The director of the Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Services Kiril Rusev has told the Bulgarian media that the risk of avalanches remains very high in the Bulgarian mountains at the moment. This risk is especially great away from the perapred pistes and he once again called for skiers and snowbaorders not to venture off-piste.

Pirin Mountains: Another Skier Dies in an Avalanche

Another skier lost his life in the Pirin Mountains today when he was caught by an avalanche falling from Platoto towards the Demyanishka Dolina. His other three companions escaped without serious injury.