The North Face Venture jacket for men has been around a fair while and is one of the most popular rain jackets. I’ve been using the TNF Venture jacket for some time now and bellow you will ready my thoughts on this jacket after more than 3 years of use.
The North Face Venture is a basic rain jacket model falling in and around the 100 euro/dollar price mark, it is affordable and functional and comes with most of the various features I would look for in a decent rain jacket.
Lambia Mountains or Lampia or Lampio (Greek: Λάμπεια όρη) are a branch and ridge of Erymanthos mountain, located in the Peloponnese, and are administratively owned by Ilia. Its highest peak is “Analipsi” at an altitude of 1,795 meters above sea level.
The name of this mountains come from the “shine of the snow” on the top of the mountain where the sunlight strikes it on its highest points. From Lambia Mountains, many tributaries of the Pineios spring . On the slopes of Lambia mountains there are various villages such as Divri (or Lambia), Kryovrisi, Kalyvia Kryovrisi, Tsipiana, Astras, Oreni, Amigdali, Kresova and Agia Kyriaki.
Steep approaches, weighty loads, and full days make climbing in the alpine a serious affair. Likewise, climbers with big alpine goals should take their training seriously. Training for various mountaineering activities is within my weekly schedule. Amongst other training activities, I often go for mountain/trail run. For such training activity, the gear one needs is minimum. A pair of short pants, a T-Shirt, a pair of trail runners and for long distanced a kind of hydration bag.
For training days up to 15k, I usually run without any hydration bag, but if I go for longer distances, especially in summer time, I prefer to have some water with me. In the past I have used various options, but I came to the conclusion that my preferred option is to carry a lightweight hydration bag/vest, and especially the Kalenji Trail Running Bag 10L.
Oligyrtos is a mountain located at the junction of Arcadia, Corinthia and Argolis in the northeastern Peloponnese in Greece. The mountain diagonally stretches from southwest to northeast, with about 35 km length and 15 to 20 km breadth. Its highest point is the peak Skipiza, at 1,935 m elevation. Other peaks are Gkrimini (1,831 m), Parnias (1,800 m), Skiathis (1,777 m) and Mavrovouni (1,695 m).
Neighbouring mountain ranges are Kyllini (Ziria) to the north, Mainalo to the southwest, Mount Trachi to the south and Chelmos (Aroania) to the northwest. Local flora consists mostly of grasslands and bushes. Pine trees and barren lands are found in higher areas. It is drained towards the Lake Stymphalia (which is located nearby Lake Doxa) to the north, and towards the plain of Kandila to the south.
Continue reading “Hiking and Scrambling on Oligyrtos’ peak Chionotripa”
About 5 km away from Ermioni there is a great hiking opportunity in Katafyki Gorge. This route is suitable for all the family due to the easy trail of only 2,5 kilometres. The wild beauty of this gorge will astonish you. Of course, this route can be extended up to 7 kilometres if one wants to hike from Katafyki Gorge up to the village of Fournoi.
Katafyki gorge is a beautiful natural landscape, located between the villages of Fournoi and Ermioni. It consists of a protected area of outstanding beauty and a wild life refuge that attracts the most demanding visitors. Hikers can leave their car in Ermioni and take the path that passes through the dense vegetation of pines, laurels, myrtles, shrubs and other endemic plants. The sound of the running water and the presence of rare animals and wild birds give the impression of an earthly paradise. The imposing rough rocks host mysterious caves, one of which is said to consist of the entrance to the underworld, the point from where Hercules found Cerberus. The locals narrate stories of various offenders that used the caves as refuge.
Continue reading “Hiking in Ermionida – Ermioni – Kranidi (Argolis) Part 03 | Katafyki Gorge”
Winter season is over quite some time now, though I have decided to purchase a new jacket for the upcoming winter mountaineering season here in Greece, but also for my upcoming travels in other countries. Once again, I have been searching for the best possible option in order to fulfil my needs and personal taste. My research included also the major outdoor brands such as Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, The North Face, Rab, Mountain Equipment, Montbell etc., though once again I have ended up buying one more product from the upcoming Polish brand, Cumulus.
Continue reading “Cumulus Incredilite Endurance Hydrophobic down jacket Review”
Spring time in Greece is one of the best seasons. Weather conditions are optimum almost on daily basis where there is clear blue sky but the sun is not burning hot as it becomes during summer time. In fact, during, spring time one can go for an alpine climb with neve and snow and just after that can go for a refreshing dive into the crystal clear blue sea waters of Greece.
For this spring, I have decided to explore the trail paths of a small town in the east of Peloponnese called Ermioni. Ermioni is a small fishing town of Argolida (Argolis) at the east of Peloponnese. The traditional taverns, the cafes, the paved streets, the beautiful houses and the crystal clear beaches around this area are some of the reasons this town is an interesting summer destination of Peloponnese. While travelling around this area you will have the chance to admire the olive and the pine trees and plenty of bays with turquoise water.
It has been more than 2 years of time that I was looking to get a down vest. The possibilities within this field are many, or better, the market is overloaded with down vest products. As I usually do, prior of purchasing any new product, I search the market and the offerings of the various brands and based on previous experiences and knowledge I take a decision. This is the process I have followed also in order to select and buy a down vest, which is the Cumulus Minilite Down Vest.
Having enjoyed some more heavy duty winter mountaineering activities, it is time to do some simple hiking in a rather unexplored area of Greece, Ermioni.
Ermioni is a small fishing town of Argolida (Argolis) at the east of Peloponnese. The traditional taverns, the cafes, the paved streets, the beautiful houses and the crystal clear beaches around this area are some of the reasons this town is an interesting summer destination of Peloponnese. While travelling around this area you will have the chance to admire the olive and the pine trees and plenty of bays with turquoise water.
Wandering around this town you will definitely feel like you are on an island. You can walk on the paved streets until the slope of the ancient hill “Pronos” where you will find the beautiful chapel of Agia Kiriaki. When you arrive at the chapel you will be rewarded with the beautiful view of the sea and the plains where olive trees, citrus trees and pomegranates are cultivated. Ermioni, besides being a very picturesque town is also the harbour that leads to Hydra island and not far from there, one can find Spetses island too. Continue reading “Hiking in Ermionida – Ermioni – Kranidi (Argolis) Part 01 | Ermioni – Ag. Anargyroi – Pikrodafni – Ermioni”
Winter is gone, spring has come. One more season of winter mountaineering activities have been concluded in Greece and this is a short summary post with the highlights of this year’s Winter Mountaineering activities. If you wish to see the individual posts which contain detailed information and more photos, you can click to the following links:
Continue reading “Winter Mountaineering Activities | Season 2017 – 2018 Summary”
