My kids, aged 4 and 7, climbed Solunska Glava

On warm days like these, there’s nothing better than sharing stories about people who climb mountains—so we can feel the mountain’s freshness through the words we write.

Today, we introduce you to Todorche Gjorgiev, president of the Mountain Sports Club “Azot” and a top mountain guide.

Todorche recalls that when he was just 12 years old, together with a friend, they decided to explore the popularity of the “Cheples” hut, the Azot area, and of course, Solunska Glava.

The visit to the hut was also Todorche’s first mountain climb. Captivated by the trail, the people, the mountain, the nature, and the adrenaline he felt, he decided to continue his next hike the very next day by climbing Solunska Glava.

From that day on, Todorche fell in love with the mountains, met new people and friends, and, of course, learned about the mountains of Macedonia. He tells us that his early hiking days began as a young, inexperienced climber without proper equipment. Over time, he and his group met other hikers, expanded their network, and built a reliable team.

Todorche recalls that his first time outside of Macedonia was in 1997 when he also climbed the highest peak in the Balkans, Musala, which stands at 2,925 meters above sea level. Musala impressed him with its trails and natural beauty, and the organization of the clubs and hikers gave him enough motivation to continue climbing other peaks in neighboring countries.

Already accustomed to hiking through mountains, exploring different cities and countries, and getting to know various cultures and customs, mountaineering and traveling became a lifestyle for him.

Having lived in Macedonia for 45 years, this country represents love and patriotism for Todorche. He has been hiking Macedonian mountains for over 30 years, and never once has it felt boring to him. For Todorche, the Macedonian mountains mean peace, freedom, silence, and beauty that everyone should experience.

Simply going to the mountains—the views of the greenery, sunrises above the clouds at 2,500 meters above sea level, spectacular sunsets, the murmur of streams and rivers, the birds’ songs, and many other things—free him from stress and worries.

Todorche’s footsteps are followed closely by his daughter Nena, who, at the age of seven in 2014, climbed Solunska Glava at 2,540 meters and was recognized as the youngest promising mountaineer by the Macedonian Mountaineering Federation.

Alongside his daughter is his son Mateo, who at just 4 years old in 2016 climbed Solunska Glava and Vihren. By 2019, he had climbed the highest peak in the Balkans, becoming the youngest and most promising mountaineer in the Macedonian Mountaineering Federation.

Todorche travels far and wide, but there are mountains in Macedonia that will always remain his favorites. For him, the view of Solunska Glava from the area of Dolna Babina Dupka is spectacular and holds the top spot in his heart.

He never overlooks Šar Mountain and its peaks and lakes, the region of Dolna Lešnica, Mavrovo, Bistra, Dešhan with Krchin and Veliar, as well as Stogovo and Jablanica.

We have one more story about Todorche that we’ll share with you in the future. But before we wrap up today’s feature, we’d like to add that he encourages all young and aspiring mountaineers to keep developing their hiking knowledge and skills. Over time, this will help them build habits to spend their free time in nature.

For Todorche, mountaineering is a form of active rest and recreation that helps build a healthy, strong, and grateful member of the community.