Monika Rogozinska, a reporter for leading Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, will join a team of Bulgarian alpinists that are planning to climb Himalayan Mount K2 during wintertime. Rogozinska, who was part of the Polish team that climbed Mount Everest for the first time in winter conditions (1980), has also participated in the expeditions to Nanga Parbat (1996/97, 1997/98) and Makalu (2000/01).

Climbing K2 from its northern side is twice cheaper, but much more dangerous, the famous journalist said at a press conference in Sofia Monday. Rogozinska explained that on that route mountaineers had to spend much more time in the so-called "death zone."

However, she endorsed alpinists from the East as more enduring in severe conditions than their Western colleagues. Civilization spoils people, Rogozinska pointed out.

During her visit to Bulgaria, she also visited the Mountain Guide School in the town of Troyan northeast of capital Sofia, and encouraged the special training of such specialists. Rogozinska also expressed her fascination with the Rila Monastery, 120km south of Sofia. It the largest monastery in the country, with frescoes by famous iconographers from Bansko and Samokov.

This is a place I would always be happy to come back to, Rogozinska shared after her first trip to the place.

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