Evaluation of the Avalanche Danger in Northwest Rila Mountain - Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions: Southeastern Europe - page 99

Fig. 9.4 The way of the avalanche along the southwest slope of the Orleto Hill from December
1965
traumas. According to the mountain rescuers from the region, such a big avalanche
was not seen for the recent years at Malyovitsa.
The southwest slope of the Orleto Hill is with the most sad reputation. In
December 1965 an avalanche dropped down this slope and it passed only 50-60 m
but took the life of 11 people (Fig. 9.4 ). Also dangerous is the southern slope of the
Malka Malyovitsa Hill. The last case was with a woman, covered up by an avalanche
while she was moving a little over the marked path for Malyovitsa Hill on the second
terrace (Panayotov, 2004 ).
The region of the hostel Skakavitsa is also avalanche dangerous. Especially dan-
gerous are the gullies over the chalet on the eastern slope of the Kabul Hill. Small
avalanches are also falling along the path to the chalet Rila Lakes when there is a
lot of snow, right above the forest belt. Also avalanche dangerous is the valley of
Skakavitsa river above the chalet where the avalanches form specific avalanche gul-
lies. They are clearly reflected in the relief with the formed swells and rocky pilings
as well as by destroying of the foliage (Fig. 9.2 ).
From the chalet Ivan Vazov to the village of Bistritsa there are also a few dan-
gerous places where there are pilings caused by avalanches. The first one is along
the slope of the hill Skalitsa (2,666 m) and the Birds' Peak. The second is along
the Otovishko Bilo whose Northern slope is avalanche dangerous and large peaks
are formed (Fig. 9.3 ). Other extremely dangerous slopes on Northwest Rila are
the slope before the lake The Eye, the big gully left of the Water Fall Skakavitsa
(Fig. 9.5 ).