Author: Olympus Mountaineering

In Greece, curled up within the majestic mountains, lies a treasure trove of insights waiting to be discovered. From the art of winter mountaineering to the thrill of trekking, from the peacefulness of hiking to the challenges of rock and alpine climbing, there is a world of adventure waiting to be explored. My humble endeavor is to provide you with a glimpse into this world, to guide you through the rugged terrain and share my experiences with you. If you wish to join me on this quest, I welcome you with open arms. Simply send a message using the form below, and let us embark on this journey together.

Petzl e+Lite Headlamp Review

On November 8, 2019November 5, 2019 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review3 Comments

Headlamps are essential items for the mountaineering gear list, and a good headlamp is a must for winter mountaineering activities. Even well-planned hikes can end up taking much more time than anticipated (due to bad weather, injuries, blocked trails etc.) and to ensure that you don’t end up being stuck in nature in pitch-black darkness, it is crucial that you bring a headlamp in your backpack. A headlamp also gives you possibility for planning a trip in the dark, taking a run after sunset or simply getting an early before-sunrise start of your hiking trip.

In the market there are many different options and actually, sometimes is a bit tough to select the best possible headlamp. A mountaineering/hiking headlamp should work for a reasonable amount of time without having the batteries recharged/replaced. In addition, a headlamp for hiking, backpacking or mountaineering should provide good brightness and beam distance. Furthermore, as mountaineering/hiking is not limited to dry weather, a hiking headlamp should be waterproof or at least water-resistant. Water resistance is typically measured by the IEC standard 60529 which includes ratings from IPX1 to IPX8.

Petzl_e+Lite_eadlamp_Review_131342_576 — Petzl e+lite Headlamp carry case

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Climbing in Meteora – Pillar of Rain – Doupiani Rock

On November 4, 2019August 28, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Mountaineering general3 Comments

In the past couple of days we have climbed twi different routes in Doupiani and we thought it would be great to climb a third one. Our first experience with Doupiani was really positive, and due to the fact the second route was rather demanding, we decided to go for an easier third route, the Pillar of Rain.

Doupiani Rock is for sure one of the most attended rock climbing destination of the Meteora (Μετέωρα) area, whose meaning is literally “hanging in the air“, a charming and suggestive climbing site located in the Thessaly region of Greece.

Meteora includes about 170 conglomerate summits of various shapes and types, as massive mountains, rocky pinnacles, minor peaks and spires, some of which are truly amazing and bizarre. The range overlooks the village of Kastràki and the town of Kalabàka and features about 850 multi-pitch and single pitch routes. Due to their singularity and a bit of mistery surrounding the place, in addition to the presence of various monasteries, the towers of Meteora are quite famous all over the world.

Climbing_Meteora_Doupiani_Rock_091700_006 — Pillar of Rain V+ Starting point

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Climbing in Meteora – Sudostwand Doupiani – Southeast Wall – Plaka

On October 27, 2019August 22, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Mountaineering general6 Comments

Climbing_Meteora_Doupiani_Rock_090627_138 — South-east face – Sudostwand

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Climbing in Meteora – Doupiani Rock – Pantocrator’s Ridge (Ostkante/East Ridge)

On October 22, 2019July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Mountaineering general5 Comments

Climbing_Meteora_Doupiani_Rock_071514_582 — Doupiani Rock as seen from Kastraki village

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Trad Climbing in Varasova

On October 7, 2019September 22, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general7 Comments

Not far away from the estuary of river Evinos, the dominating Varasova rocks emerge right where the peaceful valley of Etoliko meets the sea. Plain beauty of the scenery, exceptional solidity of the rock, easy access and sea joys were the obvious advantages which have established Varasova, as one of the most important climbing areas in Greece.

Varasova is a limestone massif near the sea, just opposite of Patra and has a height of 917 m. There are three summits of almost the same altitude. Varasova flanks, drop abruptly into the sea on the south and Southwest and this is the location of the most important walls, just between Vasiliki and Kryoneri villages.

Climbing_Varasova_064903_676 — Varasova as seen from Kryoneri

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Climbing the North-East Rigde of Mount Hymettus (Prosilio Ridge)

On September 30, 2019August 31, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general3 Comments

Rising majestically to the east of the city of Athens, this sacred mountain is home to ancient Athenian temples and holy places. Despite human activity, Mount Hymettus remains an important natural habitat filled with diverse wildlife and vegetation.

The height is 1,026 m at Evzonas and the length is 16 km (9.9 mi) between Athens and the Saronic Gulf and 6 to 7 km from east to west. In the ancient times, the highest point was known as Mega Ymittos and the southern Elattona (Ελάττονα) and Anydro Ymitto (Άνυδρο Υμηττό). Once upon a time, mount Hymettus was noted for its thyme honey and Marble.

Hymettus_West_Ridge_Prosilio_Trad_Climbing_151815_982_b — Hymettus Ridge

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Simond Rock+ Climbing Shoes Review

On September 29, 2019August 31, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn footwear, Gear Review16 Comments

My personal evolution, i.e. the gradual development of my mountaineering activities, always leads me to search and test the most appropriate gear in order to perform better and most of all in full safety.

As described on my previous gear review post, the 5.10 Anasazi VCS, although very famous amongst the climbing scene, were not fitting me well. Therefore, I have searched for an alternative, which came out of Decathlon.

Decathlon is a French sporting goods retailer. With over 1,500 stores in 49 countries, it is the largest sporting goods retailer in the world. Amongst many brands, Decathlon, also offers a line dedicated for rock climbing, alpinism and winter mountaineering.

Simond_Rock+_Climbing_Shoes_Review__942 — Simond Rock+ Climbing shoes

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Multi-pitch climb on Kokkinovrachos – Leonidio – Mignonette

On September 23, 2019August 31, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Mountaineering general6 Comments

Leonidio (Greek: Λεωνίδιο) is a town and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality South Kynouria, of which it is a municipal unit. The town of Leonidio, with a population of 3.826, emerges from a spectacular landscape, bound by two abrupt mountainsides enclosing the town from the north and south.

The River Dafnon passes through the town, and its banks are linked with three bridges. The town is capital of the Tsakonia region, notable for its cultural and linguistic particularities, and the settlement itself offers striking and picturesque architecture; now a protected architectural site, there are very strict regulations for building within the town’s limits.

Climbing_Leonidio_Mignonette_070356_010 — Kokkinovrachos as seen from Leonidio

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5.10 Five Ten Anasazi VCS Long Term Review

On August 18, 2019September 9, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn footwear, Gear Review6 Comments

I have been involved in the various mountaineering activities for few years now and climbing is a major part of it. Part of climbing, is sport climbing and is a great way to practice for difficult mountaineering ascents. Like in any other sport and/or outdoor activity, the proper gear and correct use of it can provide extra advantages to the user.

My first climbing shoe was the La Sportiva Tarantula, and although is a good climbing shoe for beginners, is not of high performance. Having used the La Sportiva Tarantula for quite some time, I then got in my hands a more advanced climbing shoe by Five Ten, the Anasazi VCS.

FiveTen_Anasazi_VCS_Review_134534_274 — 5.10 FiveTen Anasazi VCS Climbing shoe

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Hiking in Tzoumerka (Athamanika) – Skala Stamati – Katafidi

On August 13, 2019August 30, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking9 Comments

Summer time in Greece can be rather hot and the best way to escape the heat wave is not to follow the masses and go by the sea side or to a beautiful Greek island, but to move towards the north of the country and specifically in one of the high peaks of Central and/or North of Greece. This is actually how I have planned to escape the 40 C degrees heat wave and specifically to go for a nice hiking trip in the stunning Athamanika Mountains (Tzoumerka).

Tzoumerka together with the mountains Kakarditsa and Lakmos are the most important mountains of the region. Its peak, Katafidi, reaches at an altitude of 2.393 meters. The steep slopes are its main characteristic that cover the biggest part of the western side. Its eastern side is mild and easier for hiking in winter. Like in the rest of Pindos, in Tzoumerka there are some of the biggest and most rare mammals of Greece.