I woke up early to catch a 4 - 5hr bus journey to Plav. I caught the rickety bus and found a spot next to the smashed window, An adventure from the start indeed. Though with many people smoking, the smashed window was actually quite welcome. We swung round the lanes, stopping every so often to pick up more people and drop off others. We didn't stop long enough to have break or use the bathroom mind. Had to hold that in for 5 hours.
We finally pulled into Plav and I stepped out into the midday sun (nearly 35c). Buy some lunch, buy some gas and go once the heat starts to dissipate. I went to the shop for gas. Shut. Super market for some food. Shut. Well, looks like I'm cold soaking until I get to Theth in a few days. Oh well, pop into the bakers, grab some lunch and just get going. I wanted to get out into the mountains.
The hiking was hot. Up dead end roads past mountains houses and little traditional farms. There were some great views back down towards Plav. I soon made it off the road and started up the hill in the woods. My plan, as I only had an afternoon evening, was to knock off a few miles and get to the top of the mountain. I followed switchbacks up and up occasionally catching views back down the valley. Sadly in these first few miles, the trail was very dirty. Litter lined the trails and it was really sad to see. Once a little higher it cleaned up.
I soon popped out in a clearing with a basic cabin. Some locals sat round a table chatting and waved me over. They spoke little English but allowed me to help myself to the trough of water they collect from the stream. They directed me up the mountain making gestures with their hands about where I should go. I thanked them and continued up. For some reason I was really struggling up the steepest sections. I think I was tired from travelling and the heat of the day. Once I summited the mountain I came onto an open flat grass bank looking onto the granite peaks in the distance. That was were I was camping. I set up, cold soaked my backpacking meal and watched the sun set. This is what its really all about!
The cold soaked meal really wasn't all that bad, which is a good thing considering its my only choice for that day. At least I should be able to get gas in Theth tomorrow. I left the X-mid open all night occasionally waking up to see the spectacular views of golden backlite granite mountains in the distance. This was going to be an epic trip.
