Bulgarian mountains may look very tempting for hiking during the weekend in springtime. People who do not often hike imagine the mountain very much like a nearby park with green trees, blossoming grasses and bird songs over our heads. Only the white snow caps that still stand on the high peaks suggest that winter was recently there. Examples of treacherous mountain weather changes during spring are many. Only a week ago a tragic accident took place in Stara Planina. A family of tourists lost their lives because of dense fog that caused them to take a wrong path and fall into a mountain abyss. Tourists were extremely exhausted from roaming without direction for hours before that. The lack of good marking and signs indicating the way to the chalets and shelters also played its part in the tragic incident. "It takes much time to gather mountaineering experience. It is not good for a person to cast themselves into the unknown. The aim is to be able to enjoy the beauty of nature and not to be exposed to unforeseen risks," mountain rescuer Zhelyazko Mechkov says and adds:

"I am trying to discover and appreciate the beauty of every mountain I visit. I love the feeling of peace and life, no matter what I do - whether I go to climb a peak or just hike around. The most common mistake that occurs during the spring season in the mountains is underestimating weather conditions. In spring in most parts of the mountain there is no snow and we approach the winter mountain as it was summer. However, temperatures very often fall below zero in spring. Areas where there is still snow are very slippery. In spring there are large temperature differences between the higher and lower parts of the mountain and conditions are quite variable. It starts to rain quickly, and at higher parts of the mountain snowing is often. Such changes often catch tourists unprepared and with inadequate equipment. People are often impatient and have expectations for a welcoming mountain. They go unprepared and are surprised that the terrain on the route they chose is radically different from what they know from summer."

According to the mountain guide, one learns patience in the mountain. If one did not know where to go, it is better to sit and think. Time may show whether this was the right time to go ahead or wait for more favorable conditions. Here's what Zhelyazko Mechkov tells us about the mountain during spring:

"I often advise people not to change their winter and summer gear much. They should always have thick clothes in their backpack and shoes should be water resistant. Good equipment, good knowledge of the terrain is something very useful, but we cannot always know the routes we walk on. Therefore, good skills are required to handle a geographic map and a compass. You must be able to check your route and calculate time needed at home. One should check weather forecasts, too. I recommend early departure so that in case of emergency situations one can have time to react. There are things that everyone must have in their backpack. We all call them "bottom of the backpack." These are a map and compass, a pair of warm clothes and spare shoes, gloves, hat, spare socks, a flashlight, a blade, and something to light fire with, if needed. External battery packs for phones are becoming more and more popular. A charged phone could provide connection with rescuers if needed. In order to be a mountain rescuer, one needs to have the mountain in the heart. You must feel the mountain as a home, in order to be able to help other people.”

English: Al. Markov