Some Spartans found themselves in the mountains of Macedonia with some great characters. Stefan Mikić and his team put together some brilliant days of hunting, leading us round the unforgiving terrain. This region has become one of the premier destinations for those seeking the iconic Balkan Chamois. In Pedro Ampuero's latest film, Mr G and Ollie join him to push deep into these peaks. Enjoying some Balkan food, music and culture, sampling some of Stefans Akov rakija.
The Challenge of the High Peaks
Macedonia’s mountains demand more than just physical fitness. They demand patience. The Balkan Chamois lives in the steep vertical rock faces and treacherous slopes. Hunting them during the rut means dealing with animals that are constantly on the move. This forces you to adapt your strategy by the minute. On this trip, the wind and terrain was a constant adversary. It shifted through the valleys and made every stalk a high stakes risk.
Precision When It Counts
In a landscape this vertical, finding a level shooting position is a rare luxury. Mr G put the Hoplite to the test when the pressure was on. He used the Hoplite head mounted on Ascent Tripod legs to get the height and stability required to clear the rugged terrain and secure a clean shot.
Pedro also relied on the Javelin Pro Hunt Tac to stay low and locked on target for a shot at 180 meters. As the last of the daylight was fading, he had a very small window of opportunity. Without the quick attach system and spring assisted legs of the Pro Hunt Tac to gain composure on uneven ground, he likely would have missed that fleeting chance.
Gear Built for the Extremes
At Spartan, we believe that gear should support your hunt instead of slowing it down. This expedition showcased the full utility of the Spartan system. The MagnaSwitch™ technology allowed for instant transitions between optics and rifles. Another key part of this setup is our M14 threaded leg system. This allows you to swap out your tripod legs for different lengths or even turn them into trekking poles on the fly. This modularity means you can adapt to the mountain as it changes. The ruggedness of the Macedonian backcountry is the ultimate proving ground. When the terrain is trying to wear you down, our carbon fiber equipment is designed to stay light on your back and solid when you finally get into position. Spartan is about giving you the confidence to go further.
