Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

40th anniversary of the first Bulgarians to climb Everest

Hristo Prodanov
Photo: Archive

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first Bulgarian expedition to climb Everest, the world's highest peak. 

On 20 April 1984, 41-year-old Hristo Prodanov climbed the most difficult western slope without an oxygen mask. He reached the summit at 6.10pm and reported his climb by radio. He remained there for 32 minutes. 

On his way down, he reported that it was getting dark and the weather was bad, so he was going to abort his descent and look for a place to spend the night. The next day, he reported that he was in a serious condition. Attempts by other members of the expedition to locate him were unsuccessful. Hristo Prodanov died.

On 8 May, Ivan Valchev and Metodi Savov set foot on Everest, followed on 9 May by Nikolai Petkov and Kiril Doskov, the other members of the expedition.

In a poll of BNT viewers, the dramatic 1984 Everest ascent was voted the "Bulgarian sporting event of the twentieth century".



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Grigor Dimitrov wins against Novak Djokovic in exhibition match in Sofia

In an exhibition match in Sofia, the best Bulgarian tennis player, Grigor Dimitrov, won against the Olympic champion from the Paris 2024 Games, Novak Djokovic . The match was organized by the Grigor Dimitrov Foundation. It ended with..

published on 9/18/24 8:45 AM

Grigor Dimitrov faces Novak Djokovic in exhibition match in Sofia

Bulgaria’s best tennis player, Grigor Dimitrov and former world’s No. 1, Novak Djokovic, will face each other in a charity match. Tickets for the clash, which starts at 20:00 at the Arena Sofia hall in the capital, were sold out in a..

published on 9/17/24 2:30 PM
Христо Стоичков в Бургас

Football legend Hristo Stoichkov takes charge of FIFA's Football in Schools projects in Eastern Europe

"I am happy and proud that Gianni Infantino has chosen Hristo Stoichkov to be in charge of all FIFA tournaments and projects , especially the Football in Schools programmes, in Eastern Europe. The announcement was made by legendary Bulgarian footballer..

published on 9/15/24 10:17 AM