I was lucky enough to find some time later in the summer to take on another trek. I really felt like I needed this as not completing all of the Iceland Traverse was slightly bugging me. Plus, getting the chance to finish something before going back to work for the year would help satisfy my craving for adventure. But what to do? I didn't want to do too much planning, or spend too much money! Iceland isn't a cheap place to travel. It was also a bit of a last minute decision so I needed to get on and pick somewhere. The Alps? Never been there before and its so close, but hot and busy in August. I want to do the GR20 but I only have 7ish days. Could be doable but flights were expensive. Northern Europe draws me. Always wanted to visit Norway and Sweden. So naturally I dumped all that and chose The Peaks of The Balkans Trail. 198km (or 124ish miles) through Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo.
I quickly booked some cheapish flights to Montenegro and did a little research on the trail. Being a common route with guided groups I felt safe going into this with minimal research, which was good, because I didn't have time to do much research. I bought my food, booked a hotel in Podgorica and felt ready to go. I also decided to treat myself to a new 30F quilt. The 10F would be way to warm for this hike.
It wasn't long until the trip came around. It was also to be my first ever solo trek. This was something I was kind of nervous about but also really excited. I was going to hike my own hike and really be able to immures myself in the culture and seclusion of the mountains.
My flight left late afternoon on the Saturday and got me into Podgorica just before midnight. I got into my basic hotel and spent the next hour sorting the food I had bought with me into separate bags, while trying not to fall asleep at the table. Eventually I got to bed desperately trying to get some sleep before my next long day of travelling.
