Slavoljub from Zrenjanin is our hero: Blind mountaineer managed to conquer one of the tallest peaks in Serbia (PHOTO)

Winter climb to Trem, the highest peak of Mt. Suva, brought together over 850 participants throughout Serbia and abroad this year, who managed to overcome the long journey of 22.8 kilometers on frozen and inaccessible terrain. Slavoljub Epifanoci (51) tried his luck in mountain climbing, and he is completely blind, but he managed to conquer the top of 1810 meters of Mt. Suva and proved what is will, effort and fight beat any kind of handicap. 

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- The course was very demanding, totally inaccessible for moving. Hiking activity was another challenge for me, I knew what I was getting into, but the action and life challenges are an integral part of my life. Climb and descent lasted about 9 hours. In some places the road was completely under the ice, but the most dangerous was the inclination of 60 degrees and only one false step could take you into the abyss - the story of Epifanic Telegraf, a member of the mountaineers Club "Zrenjanin".

Epifanic said that he couldn't do this without a follower, Zvonko Momirovic, Member of the mountaineers Club and Nikola Sretenovića from Mountain Rescue Service.

- Thanks to Zvonko who helped me during the climb and Nikola, who was with me during the descent, I managed to master the way of 22 kilometers - says Slavoljub.

Foto: Privatna arhiva

My movement on Trm required great concentration at all times and breaks that I needed, luckily we managed to conquer the track and successfully climb up and down the mountain Suva.

Despite being blind for 20 years, brave Slavoljub says - he took his life into his hands, and there was nothing that could stop him from living life to the fullest.

Active in many sports, he trained athletics and swimming, and he has national championship medals in these disciplines in his collection.

Today Slavoljub is doing archery, climbing and yoga. He doesn't have free time.

Foto: Privatna arhiva

- I try to use each moment in a right way. When i am not doing some sport, i spend my time reading. I have a wide circle of friends and i gladly go fishing, making brandy, and i am skilled in kitchen - said this versatile man.

Ljubomir Popov, Head of the mountaineers Club "Zrenjanin" says the task was difficult but that Slavoljub never give up no matter how tough the job was. 

Foto: Privatna arhiva

Mountaineers headed to the peak of Trem to 1.810 meters from village Gornja Studena, over Bojana waters, summer resort on Mt. Suva, conquering the difference in altitude of 1.300 meters.

Winter climb to Trem was organized with the help of members of the "Zeleznicar" from Nis and Serbia Mountain Rescue Service,which had 27 members of the team, divided into 5 groups along the track who took care about the safety of the participants.

- The weather conditions were not good because the track was covered with ice which made movement difficult and people had to be extra careful - Rescue Service.

Foto: Gorska služba spasavanja Srbije

Members of mountaineers club "Zeleznicar" marked the track, and there were additional safety features on critical places. Rescue services had to intervene nine times, and one member even broke her leg. 

She couldn't continue due to leg injury, and brave members of the Rescue Service transported her to the nearest hospital.

Foto: Gorska služba spasavanja Srbije

Despite the weather that wasn't favorable to the climbers, icy and slippery field, Slavoljub Epifanic managed in his climb with his eight member team from Zrenjanin, and as he said there are a lot of more challenges waiting for him in life.

(Telegraf.co.uk / Dragana Ivanic)