The winter day begins quietly at the Malyovitsa hut. The cold is clear and crisp, the snow crunches underfoot, and the first rays of the sun barely touch the peaks above the Malyovitsa Valley. The approach is moderately long but indescribably beautiful—a smooth entry into the heart of Rila, where steep slopes and frozen lakes gradually reveal the destination. With each step, the northeast wall grows before your eyes—imposing, harsh, and uncompromising. A place that does not tolerate overconfidence, but demands respect.

Standing at its foot is a moment of silence. A glance upward, a brief pause, and the realization that in one day you must find your way through this labyrinth of rock, ice, and snow. This is where the role of the alpine guide is invaluable – a calm voice, confident movements, and clear decisions. Under his guidance, the wall ceases to be chaos and becomes a logical line, a route that can be overcome.

The classic route – the first line along which a person dared to cross this wall – reveals the true character of Malyovitsa in winter conditions. Mixed climbing, hard firn, icy passages, and short but challenging key sections. Every belay is carefully thought out, every movement is concentrated. There is no room for haste here, but also no room for hesitation. There is only rhythm – breathing, the strike of the ice axe, a step, another foot up.

The hours pass imperceptibly. The wall gradually recedes, the horizon expands, and Rila spreads out below you in its winter severity. And when you step onto the ridge, the feeling is special—not euphoria, but a deep, calm satisfaction. You know that you have not just completed a route, but a test.

Climbing the northeast wall of Malyovitsa on a winter day is one of the most rewarding alpine experiences in Bulgaria. And doing it on the Classic Route, under the expert guidance of an alpine guide, is the real icing on the cake – an encounter with history, with the mountain, and with your own limits.

Program:

Day 1:

Meeting at Malyovitsa Hut and overnight stay.

Note: each participant is responsible for choosing how to reach the hut (on foot, on skis) and for booking their own accommodation.

Day 2:

At 4:00 a.m., we leave the hut to embark on our upcoming adventure. Hike, climb, return to the hut, and leave the area.