Our "Peaks of the Balkans" adventure begins! Approximately 210km hike across some of the highest mountains in Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. The shot here is from the deck of our ferry across Lake Koman (Albania) en route to the town of Fierza, with the day's final stop Valbona. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1GxQ05X
Komani Lake, Albania. We took the slow boat across, through the narrows, around the bends. 3 hours so we could soak up views like this. Photo selection today, a nearly impossible task. I also wonder what it's like to live in that house! This is Peaks of the Balkans. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1K2HFLz
A lesson in life, sometimes it is essential to look behind you. To understand from where you've come, for a different perspective. No less true in the mountains. Today we head straight up, 1200m, with the goal of finding a shepherd whose hut we will stay in for a night. As we slowly make our way across the Albanian Alps to Kosovo. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1Fu4gsq
Peaks of the Balkans, the big climb, Day 1, 1200 meters up from the village of Valbona, on the approach to the border between Albania and Montenegro. A beauty that almost frightens. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1JiHvjf
Shepherd Families in Albanian Alps
The shepherd's son. As we descended from the border between Montenegro and Albania, we encountered a hill dotted with shepherds' huts, just re-inhabited 10 days ago as families come up to the mountains from their lowland villages for the summer. We enjoyed a cup of Turkish-style coffee with them in their home. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1LG6N8m
Mt. Gjeravica, Kosovo
Astonishing landscapes need #nofilter. We crossed the border from Albania into Kosovo and summited Mt. Gjeravica (2656m/8714ft), the highest peak in Kosovo and Montenegro. The route between the three countries was once known as the Balkan Peace Park (BPP). Now, it's known as Peaks of the Balkans. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1JdLhri
Laundry, even in the Accursed Mountains of northern Albania. This is the backyard of a coffee and rakija (clear fruit brandy) shack en route to the shepherd meadow of Doberdol. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1CCRkkb
Peaks of the Balkans, Trekking in the Karanfil Mountains - Albania
"There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self." -- Earnest Hemingway. Reminded of this as we walked the ridge from Mt. Talijanka and views of the Karanfil Mountains are revealed, in the midst of the border region between Albania and Montenegro. This is Peaks of the Balkans.
"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." -- John Muir. Knowing ourselves can sometimes be aided by getting lost in our own thoughts. This, on the road from the village of Vusanje to Lake Gshtares, Montenegro. Taking our @justporter backpack on the trails of Peaks of the Balkans. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1FQouwF
Descending Mount Gjeravica - Kosovo
Audrey descends from the highest peak in Kosovo - Mount Gjeravica. Peaks of the Balkans trek.
Dan and Audrey at top of Mt. Gjeravica - Kosovo
Dan and Audrey at the top of Mt. Gjeravica (2,656 meters), Kosovo's higest peak. Peaks of the Balkans Trek.
Audrey Photographs the Karanfil Mountains - Peaks of the Balkans, Albania
Audrey attempts to photograph the impressive Karanfil Mountains on the border of Albania and Montenegro. Peaks of the Balkans.
Dan in the Karanfil Mountains - Peaks of the Balkans
Dan takes in the drama of the Karanfil Mountains on border of Albania and Montenegro. Peaks of the Balkans Trek.
Taking the Ferry Across Lake Koman - Albania
We start our Peaks of the Balkans trek with a ferry ride across Lake Koman to Fierzë, Albania. Just beautiful and so relaxing to just ride on top of the boat.
Ferry Ride Across Lake Koman - Albania
Another boat lets off passengers along Lake Koman in Albania.
Lake Koman Ferry Ride Views - Albania
Views from the ferry across Lake Koman in Albania.
Lake Koman Ferry Views - Albania
Views of mountains on all sides on the Lake Koman ferry in Albania.
Views Along Lake Koman, Albania
Landscapes Along Lake Koman Ferry - Albania
Mountain landscapes along Lake Koman ferry in northern Albania.
Turquoise Waters Along Valbona River - Albania
Beautiful mountain stream, Valbona River - Albania
Valbona River, Turquoise Waters - Valbona, Albania
The turquoise waters of the Valbona River in northern Albania.
Valbona River, Turquoise Streams - Valbona, Albania
Mountain Vistas near Valbona, Albania
Mountain vistas on the way from Valbona to Cerem in the Accursed Mountains of Albania.
En Route from Valbona to Cerem - Albania
Rocky landscapes and shepherd huts ruins on the way from Valbona to Cerem, Albania.
Audrey in the Albanian Alps - Valbona to Cerem, Albania
Audrey in the Accursed Mountains of northern Albania, Valbona to Cerem.
