Autumn Ascent on Skiathis Mountain

It was a cloudy and rainy Sunday morning, and we have decided to visit a mountain peak that is not well known. The name of this mountain is Mount Skiathis (also called Scathes or Sciathis) and is in the boarders of the prefecture of Argolis and Arcadia. In the north part is connected with Mount Oligyrtos and in the southern part with Lyrkio Mountain.

The highest point of Mount Skiathis is 1.777 meters above sea level. This mountain is not often climbed and therefore during our ascent we have not met any other hikers. Actually, the path towards the peak is not well signed and therefore in case of not optimal weather conditions, it is suggested to have a GPS device with the route already loaded in it.

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2830 — While arriving in Alea, a beautiful rainbow was welcoming us

See previous ascent on nearby Karoubalo peak (1.808) on the link bellow:

Trachi Mountain Spring Ascent

Our starting point was the village of Alea, 804 meters above sea level. Alea (Longitude: 22o 27′ 53.09″ E Latitude: 37o 46′ 31.62″ N) is a village and a former community in Argolis and is part of the municipality Argos-Mykines. In 2011 its population was 103 for the village and 660 for the municipal unit. Alea is situated in the mountainous northwestern part of Argolis, 5 km southeast of Kandila, 12 km northwest of Lyrkeia, 14 km northeast of Levidi and 27 km north of Tripoli.

Alea was an ancient city of Arcadia, founded by the mythical king Aleus, a son of Apheidas. It was situated near Stymphalos. The city had temples of Artemis of Ephesus, Athena Alea and Dionysus. Every other year the Skiereia, a celebration for the god Dionysus, were celebrated. Traces of ancient buildings have been found near the modern village.

We have followed the path that starts nearby the village and leads to the west col between Skiathis and Trachi mountains (another name of that location is called “Karoubalo Col”). The first part of the route is within a pine tree forest. At the beginning we had some shower rain and the weather was quite foggy. At certain point we came across a water feature, though we did not find any water for refuel. Fortunately we were carrying enough water with us in order to summit and return to the village of Alea.

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2831 — Alea Village, beginning of the route

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2832 — entering the path

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2833 — View of Alea from the trail

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2834 — water spring found on our way to the west col. No water available

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2835 — Water feature from above

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2836 — Skiathis mountain covered with clouds

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2838 — “Koukos” stones show the right direction

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2839 — Entering the forest

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2868 — Hiking on

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2843 — Misty environment

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2867 — Reaching the west col while fog is covering the mountain peaks.

Within 1 hour and 5 minutes we have reached the west col of Trachi-Skiathis mountains. This is a col that connects the two peaks. From the west col and south direction one can reach Karoubalo peak, 1.808 meters. Though, since we have already been on that peak in the past, our goal was to reach the Skiathis peak, 1.777 meters.

On the west col, one case see a couple of sheppard’s mountain huts. Usually, those small mountain huts are used during late spring and summer time for the local sheppards in order to feed their goats. Once reached the west-col of Trachi-Skiathis, we moved toward the north and we have done a beautiful traverse of the entire South-West ridge of the mountain. The weather conditions were not optimal, in fact we had rain and very strong winds. Nevertheless, we have enjoyed a lot the ascent towards the Skiathis peak.

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2845 — Hiking on from West-Col of Trachi-Skiathis towards the top of the mountain

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2846 — Fog formation

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2847 — Mountain, Fog and Kandyla village in the far end

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2848 — Only few trail signs can be found on this mountain

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2849 — Traversing the South-West ridge of Skiathis

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2850 — A window of clear view

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2851 — Fog is getting thicker

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2852 — Skiathis Peak barely seen due to weather conditions

Skiathis_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2853 — Skiathis Peak 1.777 meters above sea level

About three hours since the beginning of our ascent we have reached the highest peak of Skiathis mountain. Wind was blowing very strong and although temperature was around 2 degrees Celcius. Furthermore, there was fog and therefore we were not able to enjoy the surrounding environment.

Fog forms when the difference between air temperature and dew point is less than 2.5 °C. Fog begins to form when water vapor condenses into tiny liquid water droplets suspended in the air.

On the top we stayed only for few minutes were we enjoyed a warm sideritis tea. After that, we started our descend and down-climb towards the west-col initially and Alea village as our final destination point. Weather stated to be more mild and that was a big relief for us.