Climbing in Dardiza – Ermioni – Argolis | Greece

On November 4, 2020November 9, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing8 Comments

We are at the beginning of November, and in Greece we still have splendid weather, actually great conditions for climbing. As I have been visiting the region of Ermioni often, I came to know that besides all the other climbing crags of the region, there is a tiny crag nearby Dardiza developed by Hans and Jeannette Weninger.

Although, I do not see the real point of why having bolted routes on this short crag, I have decided to visit the area and give it a try.

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Climbing in Leonidio – Sector Mini Canyon

On October 19, 2020October 19, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing9 Comments

Here in Greece, the weather condition (mid October) is still really nice and warm and while we are waiting for the first cold days and the first snows on the high peaks of Greece, we decided to go for some sport climbing in a superb location general and multi-pitch climbing, in Leonidio.

The first day, we visited Douvari Sector, which offers plenty of routes on various degrees of difficulty, but the second day, we have visited for first time, perhaps the nicest sport climbing crag I have ever been, the Mini Canyon Sector.

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Tsirio To Proto | Trad Multipitch Climbing on Mount Onia (Oneia) | V 170 m.

On October 11, 2020January 7, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general7 Comments

It has been quite some time I was driving through the area where Mt. Onia (Oneia) is located and I was always wondering if I could go for some multipitch trad climbing there. I did the research and I figured out there are three established routes on this part of Mt. Onia and last June, just after the Covid-19 lockdown, I decided to visit the area and give it a try.

Though, in June the weather was way too hot and the sun was right above the north face of Mt. Onia (Mt. Oneia) and therefore we decided to not do the climb. Few months passed since the first try and in the beginning of October we decided to visit again the area and give it a try. We decided to climb “Tsirio to Proto” which is a maximum V UIIA degree of 170 meters of total climb. The 170 meters are divided in five (5) pitches.

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Hiking and Wild Camping on Mount Giona (Mt. Aselinon)

On September 8, 2020August 30, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking3 Comments

One more summer is almost coming to the end and just before Autumn starts I have visited the fifth tallest mountain of Greece, Mount Giona (Mt. Aselinon). Although the main purpose of this visit was to climb to the highest peak, Pyramida 2.510 m. via Alpina, I have also enjoyed some nice hiking and wild camping in the beautiful and serene alpine fields.

In fact, due to the fact my last visit on this mountain was in 2017, I had forgot how beautiful is to be in such elevation and to enjoy the views and the peace that Mt. Giona can offer. The lofty mountains of the south Pindus range and the exalted emotions the utter wilderness of such mountains do always re-generate the human soul.

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The North Face Verto 27 Summit Series Backpack Review

On September 2, 2020September 2, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review2 Comments

I have been climbing on the mountains for many years from different routes and with different kind of gear. One of the most important item for a mountaineer is the backpack. The term mountaineering backpack encompasses a very broad range of items. A mountaineering backpack can be a large Daypack for hikes, a technical alpine backpack or a trekking backpack.

Generally, the term mountaineering backpack refers to a robust backpack, with all the alpine necessities, which is used for activities in the mountains and in the snow such as snowboarding and ski trips, mountaineering and glacier hiking.

For outdoor sports like alpine climbing and winter mountaineering, often require specially equipped and robust and lightweight backpacks for the summit push.

The_North_Face_Verto_27_Backpack_Review_110249_447 — The North Face Verto 27 – Summit Series Backpack

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Alpina V 300 m. | Climbing on Pyramida – Mount Giona (Aselinon)

On August 26, 2020November 18, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general6 Comments

It has been almost three years ago since my last visit on Mount Giona. Also, this is the third time I reach the Pyramida peak, 2.510 m. and each time I have reached the top from different routes.

The first time I vi sited Gion a I hiked towards the top from Kaloskopi. The second time, via Karagiannis’ path and this time I reached the top of mount Giona via the famous mountaineering route, Alpina V UIAA 300 m.

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Hiking in Cape Tainaron Matapan Southmost point of Greece

Cape Tainaron – Hiking to the southernmost point of mainland Greece (family friendly)

On August 3, 2020August 3, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking4 Comments

In this blog, most of the visitors come to read my various mountaineering, climbing and hiking activities in the mountains of Greece, but this time, I will post something a bit different. Greece is mostly famous for the history, mythology and of course for the splendid seaside and the blue waters. This post is dedicated to the southmost hike one can do in Greece, hiking to Cape Tainaron (Tenaro).

Cape Tainaron separates the eastern Laconian Gulf from the Messenian Gulf in the west. It is believed that it took its name from the mythical son of Zeus, Taenarus, who built a town named Taenarum after himself. At this region, a cave network was believed to be an entrance to Hades; the gate to the Underworld.

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Simond Alpinism 22 Backpack – Long Term Review

On July 25, 2020July 25, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review4 Comments

Mountaineering and Alpine climbing require special gear such as backpacks. Since 2012, for general mountaineering, winter mountaineering or multipitch climbs I have been using as a backpack the Simond Alpinism 22.

The Simond Alpinism 22 is designed for climbers, mountaineers and Ski touring use for day-long routes. It is a compact, sturdy, all-purpose bag. Its shape and volume make it suitable for all builds and lets to carry all the required gear for a day-long hike.

Simond_Alpinism22_Backapack_Review_120317_483 — Simond Alpinism 22 Backpack

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Climbing Technology – Lime Quick Draw Long Term Review

On July 20, 2020July 20, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review2 Comments

A quickdraw (also known as an extender) is a piece of climbing equipment used by rock and ice climbers to allow the climbing rope to run freely through bolt anchors or other protection while leading. The straight gate carabiner is clipped to the protection; a bent gate is used for the rope. Quickdraws are manufactured with either a solid carabiner gate or a wire carabiner gate for its lighter weight.

Climbing_Technology_Lime_Quick_Draw_Review_1836 — Climbing Technology Quickdraw

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Diaberis Pothos | Trad Climbing at the top of Profitis Elias – Asini

On July 15, 2020November 18, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general15 Comments

Few weeks ago, on this blog I published my first ever First Ascent that took place on Mount Ortholithi. This time, together with 3 fellow climbers we decided to go and explore the Profitis Elias rock of Asini, nearby Nafplio city.

We have been informed that this rock is an excellent location for trad climbing and we also knew that has been totally unclimbed besides a route which was first ascended by Mountain Guide Kostas Tsoukleidis and Nadine Strobl (O Kipos tou Profiti V+ 110 m.).

Therefore, we decided to go to explore the potential of Profitis Elias rock and specifically the North Face of the rock. We have been very pleased of what we have seen and we decided to climb to the top by the North-East couloir.

Climbing_Diaberis_Pothos_Profitis_Elias_Asini_Route — Diaberis Pothos VI UIAA 100 m.

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