Evaluation of the Avalanche Danger in Northwest Rila Mountain - Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions: Southeastern Europe - page 96

Skakavitsa Waterfall, here also pass a part of the main tourist paths to the Rila
Monastery. The territory of Northwest Rila falls within the boundaries of the
National Park“Rila” and the Natural Park “Rila Monastery”. In this region can suc-
cessfully be developed the ecologic tourism, as well as natural scientific, cultural,
and religious (Zhechev and Stoilov, 2003 ).
Northwest Rila Mountain also is the main center of alpinism in the country. The
region is with a built-up tourist infrastructure and is visited almost during all sea-
sons. This also means more avalanche incidents. A significant part of the avalanches
are caused by the tourists themselves.
9.2 Avalanche and Avalanche Danger
There are different classifications of the avalanches. They are grouped according
to different signs (Fig. 9.1 ). The avalanches are sliding along the slope, flowing or
moving in the air. They have a different speed—the avalanches of dry snow are
moving faster then those, formed by a wet snow (Fig. 9.1 ).
The avalanche formation in Northwest Rila Mountain creates specific ground
surface forms. The avalanches perform the biggest contemporary denudation grav-
itation changes in the high part of the mountain. They break off, shake down, and
transport with a big speed different rock pieces in the Alpine and the sub-Alpine
zones. At certain conditions, they also destroy the forest plants.
Fig. 9.1 Classification of the avalanches