This year, we celebrate one of the greatest achievements in Bulgarian mountaineering: the 40th anniversary of the first Bulgarian ascent of the highest peak on Earth—Mount Everest (8,849 m).
Hundreds of films and books have been dedicated to the ascents of Mount Everest—more than to any other achievement of the human adventurous spirit. Forty years ago, Bulgarians set their sights on the highest peak on the planet. Five participants from the expedition reached the summit as follows: Hristo Prodanov (April 20, 1984), Metodi Savov and Ivan Valchev (May 8, 1984), Nikolai Petkov and Kiril Doskov (May 9, 1984). Fulfilling his dream, Hristo Prodanov remains forever under Everest.
The culmination of the festival on Saturday evening, November 23, will be "The Bulgarian Route to Everest—40 Years Later"—a presentation by mountaineer Nikolai Petkov, who climbed Everest during this expedition and is the only person in the world to have traversed all three ridges of Everest. For the first time in the history of Everest ascents, a complete traverse of the summit has been achieved. Bulgarians successfully completed the entire crossing of the western ridge, known as the brutal route, unmatched to this day. The presentation will also provide new insights into this ascent. We will also have the opportunity to meet some of the remaining members of the "Everest 84" expedition.
