Biljana Medenica, the first Montenegrin to conquer a peak higher than 7000 meters when it comes to mountaineering, tells "Vijesti" that for her, mountaineering is a hobby that she "truly enjoys".
He points out that it is a quality time spent in nature where he can enjoy the views around him while climbing some of the domestic and foreign peaks, but also a time when he can think in silence and peace and make some important life decisions.
"I am often guided by the thought of the mountaineer and writer Stipet Božić - Life in the mountains teaches me life in the valley," says Biljana.
He says that his love for hiking and research originates from an early age.
"I was born in the village of Lugovi, near Kolašin, and I spent my childhood in the place where I was born, although I can say that I inherited my love for nature from my father, who is a passionate hunter," says Biljana.
She took her first hiking steps on the mountain Bjelasica, which she considers to have great tourist potential and which is extremely suitable for people who prefer hiking and easier hiking tours.
When asked what it feels like to reach the desired peak, Biljana says "when we talk about mountaineering, my goal is never just to climb the highest peak, but also to enjoy every moment spent in the mountain".
Nordic skiing
She states that there are many other things that give her pleasure besides hiking, and most of them are related to being in nature: speleology, sport climbing, Nordic skiing and snowboarding, as well as snowshoeing.
"Every place I've visited so far has its charms," says Biljna.
She states that her greatest pleasure is always getting to know people and customs from the regions she visits.
"What has left a special impression on me so far is the meeting with a herd of chamois, which are not very common and which many mountaineers and even hunters do not experience in their lifetime," says Biljana. She states that the chamois stood so still that she could even count them.
"It was completely unreal!" says Biljana.
When it comes to conquered peaks, Biljana says that every mountain, every stay on a mountain, every climb gives her pleasure, and what she will remember for a really long time is the climb to Mont Blanc.
"Then my friends and I were completely alone on the peak, which every mountaineer who has visited that peak will say is a real rarity," says Biljana.
However, Biljana notes that mountaineering is considered an extreme and dangerous sport. "I believe that when staying in the mountains and climbing even the smallest peaks, you should always be careful and concentrated, because these are prerequisites that eliminate potential accidents," she says.
She says that her field of interest is the environment, and she is employed at the Office of the UN Development Program in Montenegro (UNDP) on projects related to the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in the service of environmental protection and preservation.
Mental and physical preparation
When it comes to the qualities that adorn a good mountaineer, Biljana says that in addition to the will and love for mountaineering, the mountaineer must be mentally and physically prepared for the various types of efforts that await him.
"A mountaineer must have a minimum of mountaineering equipment, such as shoes with Vibram soles, which are extremely important for staying in the mountains, because they have much greater friction than ordinary soles, a suitable backpack and suitable clothing," says Biljana.
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