Klassiki VI UIAA 100 m. – Trad Climbing in Kato Flabouri – Mt. Parnitha – Attica

On September 5, 2022September 9, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general8 Comments

One of my favourite locations in Greece for outdoor activities is Mt. Parnitha which is located just 30 minutes far from Athens city centre. Mt. Parnitha is located in Attiki province, 25km N from the city of Athens.It is one of the 4 mountains(the others are Immitos, Penteli and Poikilo) that surround the circular plain, in which the city of Athens is built. Mt Parnitha is the talllest and more impressive among the mountains that surround Athens.

Every now and then, I try to visit the area of Mt. Parnitha either for hiking or climbing activities. Though, for quite some time now, I had in my bucket list to visit the area of Kato Flabouri and climb the first ever route that was climbed in the area. This route is known as Klassiki (classic) or by the names of the first ascenders – Michailides, Tsamakides, Liagos, Idosides.

Climbing_Parnitha_Kato_Glabouri_Classic_Klassiki_044 — View of the rock and the route

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Hiking the Black Cave (Mavri Spilia) Gorge – Proussos Evrytania (family friendly)

On September 4, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking3 Comments

The last few months I was mostly focused on sport and trad climbing activities, nevertheless, one of my favourite outdoor activities is hiking, especially when I have the chance to hike together with great company. In fact, on this trip, we had a goal to explore some of the nicest -family friendly- hikes in the area of Evrytania. Having visited the Mikro Panta Vrechi, we wanted to explore more and we visited a lovely short trail, that I have also hiked in the past, the trail that leads to the Black Cave (Mavri Spilia).

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Hiking in Mikro Panta Vrechi gorge – Evrytania (family friendly)

On August 31, 2022August 25, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking5 Comments

There are several areas in Greece that I always want to dedicate more time exploring them, but for one or the other reason, I do not visit them that often. This is the region of Evrytania. Evrytania boasts to be the Alpine Greece. The well wooded mountain of Tymfristos and the high altitude has formed a unique and rare unspoiled beauty of dense fir forests and traditionally built little villages. The mountainous region of Evrytania has a wide range villages around the city of Karpenisi and it is rather popular as a winter destination as it has a ski centre on Mount Tymfristos and offers numerous outdoor activities like rafting in Karpenissiotis River and horse back riding in the forests.

Mikro_Pantavrechi_Hiking_100253_357 — View of the gorge

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PETZL Adjama 2021 – Climbing Harness Review

On August 28, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review1 Comment

Rock climbing is an activity that is done outdoors and provides a feeling unlike any other outdoor activity. To reach that feeling, though, you need to have the correct gear to keep you safe in case of a fall. A climbing harness is a crucial piece of equipment: it’s the contact point between you, your rope and your belayer (the person on the ground on the other end of the rope to stop you from falling).

There are many climbing harness options to choose from and it all depends what kind of climbing you are planning to do and how the specific harness fits on your body.

Petzl_Adjama_2021_Harness_Review_Body_05 — Petzl Adjama 2021 Harness with gear

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Souda Twin Waterfalls – Theodoriana – Hiking in Tzoumerka (family friendly)

On August 24, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking4 Comments

Tzoumerka (or Athamanika), characterised by the mountains, the rugged landscape and the dense greenery, have the water element omnipresent in order to offer its freshness and balance through its everlasting movement! Thus, on the one hand there is the Acheloos river with its unique beaches, and on the other the Theodoriana village and its unique, twin waterfalls of Souda.

Hiking_Tzoumerka_Souda_Waterfalls_Theodoriana_01 — Beginning of the trail towards the Souda Waterfalls

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Hiking in Tzoumerka (Athamanika) Theodoriana – Marks Stream – Rema Marks – (family friendly)

On August 20, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking9 Comments

It’s been almost 6 months since my last visit to the area of Mt. Tzoumerka (Athamanika) and this time I wanted to explore an area of the mountains that I have never been before. The overall plan was to visit and explore the Central and Eastern Tzoumerka and specifically the hiking opportunities around Theodoriana village.

The trail to Marks area leads us to the heart of Elatia, the largest and pristine forest of Theodoriana, and a wonderful stream with lakes and waterfalls.

Rema_Marks_Theodoriana_Tzoumerka_Athamanika_Hiking_01 — Starting point – Information board

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Dardiza Bayby Shitter V- UIAA 20 m. | Trad Climbing in Dardiza Bay – Ermioni

On July 9, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general12 Comments

Summer time in Greece, especially in the southern regions of the country can be rather hot. Therefore climbing near the seaside can be a very nice experience and at the same time bearable with the high temperatures.

In the past year, we have climbed a lot in the Ermionida region and we established several Trad Climbing routes, especially nearby Dardiza Bay.

Dardiza_Bayby_Shitter_18 — Magnificent view from R1

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Fantastic 4 V+ UIAA 200 m. – Trad Climbing in Kantili – Mt. Pateras – Attica

On June 19, 2022June 20, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering generalLeave a comment

It has been almost two years ago since my last visit in the area of Mt. Pateras and specifically in Kantili location. During my previous visit, I had climbed the Horned Owl ridge but while climbing that ridge it struck my attention a rock formation which is located in the opposite from the main peak of Kantili.

After some research, I had noticed that there were a couple of routes and together with a climbing buddy, we decided to pay a visit to the area and give a try to a route named Fantastic 4.

Pateras is a mountain of West Attica, Greece, with an elevation of 1,131 meters. Its highest peak is named Leontari. It is situated between the plain of Eleusis and the plain of Megara, and stretches between the Gulf of Corinth at Aigosthena and the Saronic Gulf near Eleusis.

It is separated from its northern neighbour Cithaeron by the plain of Vilia. The mountain is covered with woods with Aleppo pine and Mediterranean maquis. In the tops of the mountain, that belong to a CORINE biotope, there are firs, of species Abies cephalonica.

Fantastic_4_Kantili_Trad_Climbing_160745_989 — First view of the rock and the route

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Dirty Friday IV+ UIAA 95 m. | Trad Climbing at the top of Profitis Elias – Asini

On June 4, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general7 Comments

It has been almost 2 years since my last visit in the area of Asini and specifically to the Profitis Elias rock.

The Profitis Elias rock stands upwards in the beautiful scenery of Asini is called Profitis Elias. The little chapel that is build on top is dedicated to Prophet Elias, and thus the name of the hill.

The view at the top is panorama (360º) and you can get a pretty good idea of the surrounding area and its morphology. It is on the way to the coast of Tolo, if you are coming from Nafplio. There is a road that takes you from the village of Ag. Paraskevi to the lower parts of the hill. From there it is a 15-20 minutes walk uphill, following the path designated by white crosses, that will take you to the top.

Dirty_Friday_Trad_Climbing_Profitis_Elias_Asini_03 — View of Profitis Elias Rock

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Maia – 5 pitches, 5c 178 m. | Multi Pitch Climb in Katafyki Ravine – Ermioni

On May 2, 2022February 25, 2023 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Mountaineering general14 Comments

The rock climbing around Ermionida and generally the Argolis region is all on excellent solid grey limestone. The majority of the routes are single pitch sport climbing routes, though there are some trad climbing routes as well.

In Katafyki ravine there are more than 70 sport climbing routes and a handful of multi-pitch routes. Most of the routes were established around 2000-2001 from Jim Titt.

Recently and with the active involvement of the local climbing community, the need of easier and well protected multi-pitch routes arose and in April 2022, a new route was established and bolted by Vertical Art Greece.