Push It: Two Mountain Peaks in One Week at Age 63

Published on 6 December 2024 at 10:40

May 2025 will mark a milestone in my life. I’m planning to climb both Vihren and the narrow, challenging ridge of Konceto in the Pirin Mountains. For most, this would be a significant challenge, but for me, it’s also a continuation of a journey I began in the summer of 2024—a journey that has already transformed how I view myself and what I’m capable of achieving.

Last summer, when I climbed Muratov Vrah and Vihren within a single week at the age of 62, the phrase “Push it!” became my mantra. It was what I kept telling myself over and over as my legs burned and my heart pounded. Putting one foot in front of the other, refusing to give up, and moving forward—that was the key to reaching the summit, not just of the mountain, but within myself

Two Mountain Peaks in One Week

The Pirin Mountains are not for the faint-hearted. With their steep climbs, narrow trails, and rocky terrain, they challenge both body and mind. In the summer of 2024, I set my sights not on one peak but two. First, Muratov Vrah, standing at 2669 meters, a technically demanding summit with rocky trails and steep sections. Just days later, I aimed for Vihren, the second-highest peak in Bulgaria at 2914 meters.

It was no easy week. The morning after summiting Muratov Vrah, I felt every step in my legs. My body cried out for rest, but something inside me pushed me forward. I thought: “Push it! This is when it matters.” And off I went to tackle Vihren. I knew it would be even tougher, but I also knew I had done it before—and I could do it again.

“Push It!”: A Mantra for Life

The words “Push it!” became my inner voice, a reminder that I had the strength to push past what felt impossible. On Muratov Vrah, I began saying it when I struggled with a steep section where the rocks were loose, and every step felt risky. I repeated the words over and over, matching them to the rhythm of my steps. It became a way to focus on the only thing that mattered: keeping moving forward.

On Vihren, “Push it!” became even more vital. The final ascent to the summit, known as Golyam Kazan, is steep and rocky, and with the thin air, every breath feels like a struggle. I remember having to stop often, feeling my heart pound in my chest, and wondering if I could make it. But every time the thought of giving up crossed my mind, I answered with my mantra: “Push it!”

Two Peaks, Two Lessons

Climbing Muratov Vrah and Vihren taught me two crucial lessons. From Muratov Vrah, I learned the importance of focus and presence. On its rocky trails, I realized that one wrong step could have serious consequences. I had to be completely in the moment, feeling every move and trusting my body.

From Vihren, I learned endurance and humility. Here, it wasn’t just about being careful but about finding the strength to continue when my body wanted to quit. I learned that the mountain doesn’t care who you are or how old you are—it demands the same respect and determination from everyone.

Preparing for 2025

With the experience of these two peaks behind me, I feel better prepared for the challenge that awaits in May 2025. Climbing Konceto and Vihren during the same trip will require everything I’ve learned—and more. Konceto, with its narrow ridge and steep drops on either side, requires a calmness and balance I only partially discovered on Muratov Vrah. And Vihren, with its majestic height, demands the endurance I found during that summer.

But the most important preparation is mental. I know I’ll face the same inner voice that whispers: “This is too hard. You’re too old. Why are you doing this?” And I already know what I’ll say back. “Push it!”

What I Bring From Past Climbs

When I reflect on my past climbs, I realize that I’ve learned not just about the mountains—but about myself. Here are some of the key lessons I carry forward:

  1. The courage to face fear
    On Konceto, I’ll face steep drops on both sides. It’s a place where fear is a natural reaction. But I’ve learned that courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s facing it and moving forward anyway.

  2. The importance of being present
    Mountains allow no distractions. Every step demands total presence, and that’s a skill I’ve taken with me into my everyday life. Being present isn’t just a survival strategy—it’s also a way to appreciate the beauty of the moment.

  3. The power of perseverance
    The physical grind of summiting two peaks in one week taught me that I’m stronger than I thought. It reminds me that endurance, more than anything else, is the key to success—on the mountain and in life.

Why I Climb

At 63 years old, I could choose to slow down. But that’s not who I am. I don’t climb because it’s easy; I climb because it’s hard. I climb to learn more about myself and to challenge what I believe is possible. I climb to feel alive, to stand on the summit and see the world stretch out beneath me, to know that I did it.

I climb to show myself—and others—that age is not a limit. It’s an opportunity to live fully, to embrace challenges, and to say “Push it!” even when it feels like you can’t go on.

A Journey That Continues

May 2025 will mark a new milestone in my journey. Konceto and Vihren await, and I know it won’t be easy. But I also know I have everything I need: experience, courage, and the will to keep going. And every time it feels like I can’t take another step, I’ll tell myself—just as I did last summer—“Push it!”

Because that’s how we reach our summits, both on the mountain and in life. One foot in front of the other, one breath at a time, with our eyes on the horizon.


Konceto – The Most Thrilling Ridge in the Pirin Mountains

Konceto is not just a narrow mountain ridge—it’s one of the most breathtaking and challenging trails in the Pirin Mountains. This legendary crest stretches like a razor’s edge between two cliffs that plunge hundreds of meters on either side. Every step here is a test of balance, and even the slightest hesitation can make your heart race.

To traverse Konceto, you must navigate a path that, in some sections, is no wider than a human foot. It’s a place where the wind howls and the silence of the surrounding chasms echoes, constantly reminding you of the respect this mountain demands.

It’s not just a physical trial but also a mental battle. Every step on Konceto requires complete focus and a clear mind—there’s no room to think about anything other than your next move. But for those who dare, the courage is rewarded with unmatched views of the Pirin Mountains, a feeling of triumph, and a memory that will last a lifetime.

Konceto is not just a place—it’s a test of balance, strength, and the determination to keep moving forward, even when your entire body is screaming to stop.


Will it hurt? Probably!


 

By Chris...


A short video showing Bulgaria's stunning Koncheto Ridge to reach Mount Vihren.



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