A trip to the Scary lake and back again.

in #travelfeed5 years ago (edited)

It's been five months from my trip to Scary lake in Rila mountain and now I decide to write a post, either that there is no time or that I'm to busy with others things and work. I was inspired from @vesytz to write this post when I saw her's. Sorry about the delays and here is my story.

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A trip to the Scary lake and back again - 6-8 August 2018

through the eyes of a nobie mountaineer

My wife asks me several times to make a mountain hike with her and some friends a month ago, but I refused it all the time because I am a man from the lower parts of the earth and I don't like heights. But there were several unforeseen circumstances, and for that, I was morally compelled to agree to go on this journey. I had a favor to return :) Also it was a great opportunity to make photos that I admire on the web. It was my first mountain pass for decades.

The plan was for Six days. Two days in Rila mountain - destination Scary Lake and four days in Rhodopa Mountain - circling in huts.

We went from Burgas early and arrive at our starting point: Central Mountain School in the foothills of the Rila mountains (You can go there by bus from Samokov city.)

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After parking the cars we start to prepare the backpacks, left the overpacked luggage and took only the necessary for 2 days, food and drinks of course. I never thought it could weigh a backpack so hard, looks like there are rocks inside. We were eight people, four men, two women, and two children. I agreed to go because of the kids, I thought if there were children it would be easy. Hiking is not like cycling, it's harder as I found out later.

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We took the easy way as my friend Georgy told me :). The path was cool nothing hard just little rocks here, roots there it was fun till we reach Maliovitsa hut which is under Maliovitsa peak 2,729 m high. Very beautiful, but it wasn't our goal. We took a rest drink some tea, water and have quick snacks.

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Then we hit the road to the lake. The first path was very narrow and only one person could walk. I saw big stones where people jump like goats. Suddenly a rescue team appeared, with a stretcher on which lay a man with a broken leg. It went through my mind - where I was going. After this sight, I started to move very carefully.

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It was afternoon. Surprisingly this route was full of people coming down from the lake and everyone told us that we wouldn't have time to get off but we had the intention to spend the night in the shelter of the lake. After the big stones, came a very steep path with a waterfall that passed near or on the path, thanks to good shoes we did not slip much, and I thought to go with sneakers because it is summer. I was thinking how naive and unprepared I was for this challenge.

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Finally, we climbed it and guess what more stones spread like a river. This was our way. Friends show me 2 peaks and told me that the Scare lake is under them. Look so close, but it wasn't. I was exhausted and the group made a break for me. The poor fat guy ashamed to the children. But I have an excuse - this was my first hike from 15 years ago.

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We went on and I saw a lake more like a big puddle and I thought it can't be Scary Lake there is nothing scary in it. Than another lake bigger than the first one and it was not the lake I looking for. Climbed another hill with more big stones and I saw a lake bigger than the previous two. Yes, this is it but unfortunately, it wasn't.

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big puddle

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lake 2

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lake 3

Friend told me "You see this hill the lake is there", but I can't walk anymore. I made a long rest than clenched my teeth started to climb. I saw the shelter than the lake. finally, I was there.

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Everyone congratulate me like I did something heroic, but I did not feel that way. It is priceless to have such friends.


The Scary lake

The Rila Lakes have formed from the glaciers after the melting of the last Ice Age. They are varied in size and shape, but always capture with their pure blue water and radiate tranquility.

The Scary lake is located in the Northwest Rila Bulgaria, at the foot of the highest peak in this part - Golyam Kupen 2731 m. Its name comes from a story :

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Years ago, painters gathered at this lake to paint it. Once there was an artist and storm comes. Deep waves came out. Lightning has fallen. Heaven was not seen by dense clouds. Only the lightning ripped the sky. He grabbed what he could wear and ran down. Along the way, he met another man who was climbing to the lake. The Artist Shouted: "It's scary at the top! It's scary!"

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We spent the night in the shelter with a few more people who were staying there. Our intention was to stay for another day and we did so.

The next day I spent in rest. I was with the kids and gathering forces for the way down, the rest of the fellowship climbed the tops around. The place is wonderful to visit one more time.

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The two nights were with a clear sky and the stars and the milky way were visible, without light pollution and far away from the cities.

On the morning we went earlier after sunrise. We took the other way which supposed to be longer but easier. I thought way down will not be so difficult like the climb, but I was wrong again. It's always was hard for me :).

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We walked along the big stones we had descended on. Then there was some kind of wetland in which I was getting the most of it. My feet were wet.

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We met with a few groups of people heading up to the lake. There was an incredible amount of traffic on this route :).We passed Yonchevo lake. Then a lot of streams. One big forest and finally the parking with cars.

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I was saved, but 4 more days remain ...

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Route map


Same trip from @vesytz


What happens next

After this trip, I went home as dismantled. Every bone and tendon hurt me. I said to my wife no more hiking. Next week when the pain passed away I miss the mountains and put a goal to lose 30 kg for the next year. I start a workout and more cycling, walking every day. Then I found @actifit app which motivates me more to move. Till now I lose 11 kg. Was 115 kg now 104k -19 kg left to take off.

I hope you enjoy my story. Wish you all the best and ....

Keep moving beautiful people!

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Congratulations! Your high-quality travel content was selected by @travelfeed curator @guchtere and earned you a reward, in form of a 100% upvote and a resteem. Your work really stands out! Your article now has a chance to get featured under the appropriate daily topic on our TravelFeed blog.
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Thanks a lot for the support 👍

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No thanks at all, you did a great job with the post. Keep them coming like this I would say! 👍

Thank you @guchtere I'll do my best. Have a good day 👍

Hi outlinez,

This post has been upvoted by the Curie community curation project and associated vote trail as exceptional content (human curated and reviewed). Have a great day :)

Visit curiesteem.com or join the Curie Discord community to learn more.

Thank you very much for the support 👍

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Hiya, @livinguktaiwan here, just swinging by to let you know you're being featured in today's Travel Digest #415

Your post has been manually curated by the @steemitworldmap team, and if you like what we're doing, please drop by to check out all the rest of today's great posts and consider upvoting and supporting us.

What I liked the most about your post are the photographs. You will tell your experience very well, I could not be more satisfied to read you. Thanks for sharing with us.

Thank you! Glad you're enjoying my story. It was really unusual experience for me 😀👍

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Climbing down from anything is always harder for me.

The rock path that almost looks like a river is very impressive. I can see how you could break your leg there.

You got great shots of the stars. That must have been beautiful in person.

I've been seeing a lot of Bulgaria posts lately. You have a very diverse country and this looks nothing like the other posts I have seen.

Thank you @fitinfun . Honestly, it was awesome when I forgot the pain and difficulties :).
Yes Bulgaria is small on the territory and very varied we have 4 seasons, sea, rivers, lakes, caves, plains and tons of archeological finds. I wish you someday visit our country.

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I never thought of it before but after STEEMing, Bulgaria is now very high on my list. I would love to see the archaeology if you have that. And architecture :)

Archaeologists Discover Europe's Oldest Town

one of many.

Oh wow! This is amazing. Your country is endlessly fascinating. Thank you so much for sending this :)

Climbing the mountain is indeed hard. But it always pays off with beauty and an expensive experience, especially if you are with friends who love you. It's more than just an amazing experience

Thank you for your kind reply @anggreklestari. Yes, friend and family are the most important thing in life., And it's worth it , the views from the top are astonishing, makes you feel like you're on top of the world.

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What an epic trip! I see that it was very challenging for you BUT you made it! You should be proud of you! Hiking after such a long time is tough for everyone. You have to get used to it. But once you do it you fall in love.. :)

This lake looks magical. There is nothing scary about it at all :) I love the water reflection and those mountains are breathtaking! I didn't know that Bulgaria had such amazing mountains! It's nice that you stayed over night. Such beauty should be enjoyed and you should not hurry back.

I'm happy for your that you decided to lose weight. And you're on a good way! You'll feel so much better very soon and your energy will fly up :) Fingers crossed!!

Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your curie vote! You definitely deserve it for the effort that you put into this trip :)

Thank you. It really was an epic for me and I think I like hiking . Will do it again this year. Maybe there are scary when the storms come as people say

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Wow, amazing photos. I guess it was wonderful to see Rila mountain. It looks like a place from a fairytale. Nature is so beautiful there.

Yes Rila is wonderful place full with lakes and lot of rocks 😀

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Well, you are very lucky. You had an amazing adventure, in an incredible place, took the most impressive mountain pictures, got a curie vote and lost weight as a result of all this!
What else can a human ask for?
Did you run into any animals?
What kind of fauna inhabits those mountains?

Thank you @hlezama. I saw only wild goats at a very long distance and a lot of mosquitoes which don't bite maybe from the altitude.

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Hello @outlinez, thank you for sharing this creative work! We just stopped by to say that you've been upvoted by the @creativecrypto magazine. The Creative Crypto is all about art on the blockchain and learning from creatives like you. Looking forward to crossing paths again soon. Steem on!

Thank you for the support @creativecrypto👍

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great hike and nature landscape, you feel so peaceful to walk in such scenary no stress only enjoying simple things minute by minute

Thank you. It was really amazing

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OMG. The scenes are awesome. They will worth every second one spends there. Keep up the traveling spirit

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Thank you 😀👍

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You are hum

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You are humbly welcome

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Dear @outlinez,

Thank you for the submission for our project – 1001 Places to Remember. Hooray, your story is now listed in our project publication, you can check through our progressive report either from our @fundition project page or @archisteem account. We will be sorting out the seasonal shortlist authors and make an announcement soon for the seasonal reward.

Stay tuned and Steem on!

Sincerely from,

@archisteem and team

Thank you very much for the support 😀👍