Dear Friends / Family/ Colleagues
As 2023 comes to a close I, Tony McMurray, wanted to share with you an update on the challenge.
- I am pleased to confirm that during the year we successfully reached our 20th peak towards our ultimate goal to summit all 56 peaks of Bulgaria >2,500m
- We had a further 24 new people join us across the year (both the 56 peaks + the training days), from a diverse cross section of society, abilities and nationalities.
- We are nearing our initial fundraising target of 10,000 BGN so have now increased the target on our website to 20,000 BGN as we push towards completing the remaining 36 peaks.
- All in aid of the ‘FOR OUR CHILDREN FOUNDATION’ here in Bulgaria, supporting disadvantaged children across the country here.
- Special mention goes to the +130,000 people who chose to watch my Ted Talk video centred around the challenge here.
- During the year we had a number of weekend trips into the hills for both the 56 peaks and / or training days.
- August and October were the most notable months for the team given the number of peaks completed
- October was surprisingly mild above 2,000m given it was late in the year, and we managed a successful weekend camped out under the stars
- Georgi (our resident chef) engineered more than 20kg of chicken, pork and pancake mix to be transported by the team to camp and we enjoyed an evening of gastronomy, insightful discussions, and entertainment courtesy of our best friend on the trip ‘Mr Rakia’
- The weekend was also notable for our first ascent involving ropes – belaying 9 people up and down over a 5 hour slog!
- However, this same weekend was also a stark reminder to us all of the need for Safety during the challenge. As we came down the mountain on Sunday night we passed the red suits of the mountain rescue team heading up the mountain. We were saddened to hear the day after that a 29-year-old climber had fallen to his death on the same peak we had reached only hours earlier.
- A sombre moment to reflect and thank our logistics lead Martin for ensuring that Safety is our #1 priority at all times!
- Please find below a selection of the images taken during 2023.
- The last photo was an end of year celebration dinner involving a large cross section of the team, both 56 Peakers and training hike attendees. Many of whom had not met before.
- This end of year gathering allowed us to reflect on the great year we had in the hills together and look ahead to the new adventures that lie ahead in 2024!
As we look ahead to 2024 my ask of you all is as follows:
RESIDENTS OF BULGARIA
- If you live in Bulgaria and are perhaps keen to get fit as a new years resolution, or maybe never reached a peak, please contact me
- You could be joining us in 2024 either on a one day training day hike or perhaps one of the peaks >2,500m
VISITORS TO BULGARIA
- Equally, if you are visiting Bulgaria for pleasure or maybe for works visit we would be happy to have you join us on a days hike over a weekend for you and / or your team (subject to it being a date we are available).
- The past 18 months has repeatedly shown us the great benefits towards team spirit and comradery amongst all those who have joined.
- Those who need some added incentive to visit Sofia I would highly recommend this video that shows how wonderful the capital city is!
- The film “To Sofia, With Love” was recently created and aims to increase the curiosity of future tourists to the city and is supported by Mastercard as part of the brand’s initiative to digitize the stories of Sofia and its people that have not been told around the world
- https://youtu.be/X7YCXaPBCE8?si=cyAVFOi77gV5cmiK
