Stay Calm, The Sack n Cracken is back...

Breaking News Alert - Fresh sightings of the mythical Sack n Cracken alarm Bansko Residents and Tourists!

The Monthly Bansko understands there has been a flurry of fresh reports across the local town and from outdoor pursuits enthusiasts minding their own business in the local foothills and forests of the legendary humanoid beast, the Sack n Cracken.

Local Anthropologist, Pizza Restaurateur and proud Italian Mondeo owner, Simon Shreagermeister, believes the unexpected late snowfall across the higher reaches and above 1600 metres may have forced the Sack n Cracken, usually a shy and wary beast, down to lower elevations in search of food.

Simon added, “Ordinarily, the Sack n Cracken avoids human contact, but after a long winter hibernation, it appears that he may have been forced to venture lower down the mountain in search of food. There have even been sightings of the scruffy tracksuit-wearing beast bin-dipping in town. It’s also been noted that the street cat population is severely diminished…”

We bumped into Cattleless Cattle Ranch and Stanley Arms speakeasy owner, Sir John Stanley Matthews Hoggarthy, 3rd of Mosside, out walking his dogs. When we asked him if he’d come across the rarely sighted Sack n Cracken, he stared glassy-eyed into the distance, shivered uncontrollably and stumbled away mumbling incoherently, “wine, give me more wine…”

Darren Ledger, founder of Pirin Pathfinders, knows the trails and forests better than most, and he was a little more forthcoming. He assured us that the Sack n Cracken was no threat to people; if anything, it was the other way around. People stomping through the forest, getting lost and shouting for help, often alarmed the reclusive beast and led to loud crashing and thrashing noises as he beat a hasty retreat through the undergrowth.

Darren advises that hikers should either stick to the ski road for a walk or hire a local guide with a good dog, ideally called Shadows like his own dog, if they are looking for a real adventure hike in the forest.

You can contact Darren at Pirin Pathfinders Bansko.

MTB enthusiast, Craft Beer Connoisseur and owner of local bar, Pivoteka, Mick Doorhandle recently had a run-in with the beast whilst trail riding with his buddy, Martin Downhill. Mick said, “I’d nipped into the undergrowth for a quick toilet break mid-trail, when suddenly the beast came crashing and thrashing through the undergrowth, it literally scared the crap out of me. Poor Martin was terrified. I’d never seen him go downhill so fast as we made a quick getaway.

More on this story as the news breaks.  To report sightings or contact us: pirinpathfinders@atomicmail.io