Bulgaria’s great mountaineer Boyan Petrov was born in Sofia on this day in 1973 and today he would have celebrated his fiftieth birthday. He became the first insulin-dependent mountaineer in the world to climb 10 eight-thousanders without oxygen. 

In the spring of 2018, on his way to Shisha Pangma, Boyan Petrov remained forever in the embrace of the mountain.

• New film tells about Bulgarian climber Boyan Petrov and his way to the top
• Search of climber Boyan Petrov officially terminated

• Bulgarian mountaineer Boyan Petrov still missing, update

"For me, the eight-thousanders are the Cosmos. Having climbed so high, the whole world is around you. It feels like being on top of everything. When you return to Sofia, all your problems seem tiny, insignificant compared to what you have overcome. So mountaineering helps you to deal with all life's problems", Boyan had once shared when asked about the thrill of reaching the top.

• Bulgarian Boyan Petrov climbs Gasherbrum II Peak (8035 m)
• Alpinist Boyan Petrov sets to climb another eight-thousander