Dardiza Bayby 3 IV UIAA 20 m. | Trad Climbing in Dardiza Bay – Ermioni

On April 11, 2022May 2, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general4 Comments

Spring is here, winter mountaineering activities in Greece are almost at the end of the season, and for this reason we decide to return to an area where in the past we have been exploring various climbing possibilities. In fact, last December we climbed two new routes at Dardiza Bay and we had spotted one more rock formation that we wanted to explore.

This time, we wanted to explore if we could climb the north face of a rock formation that is located north-west from Dardiza Bay.

Dardiza_Bayby3_Trad_Climbing_Dardiza_Ermioni_31018 — Panoramic view

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Epsipetis V UIAA 100 m. | Trad Climbing in Karathona beach – Nafplio

On March 22, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general6 Comments

Greece, is a very rocky and mountainous country and this gives us the possibility and also the opportunity to go and explore the outdoors pretty much all year round. The initial plan was to go from some winter mountaineering on Mt. Erymanthos, but due to extreme weather forecasts we decided to skip the initial plan and to go for some trad climbing in Nafplio.

According to mythology, the town was founded by Nafplios, the son of god Poseidon and the daughter of Danaus (Danaida) Anymone. The town’s history traces back to the prehistoric era when local soldiers participated in the Argonautic expedition and the Trojan War alike.

The town recessed during the Roman times and flourished again during the Byzantine times.

In the summer, take an invigorating swim on the beaches of Arvanitia, Karathonas, Nea Kios, Miloi and Kiveri. You will also find a nice beach offering all kinds of facilities in Tolo, only 15 min away from the town.

Epsipetis_Trad_Climbing_Karathona_Nafplio_215301_551 — The Karathona Rock

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Dardiza Bayby 2 IV UIAA 30 m. | Trad Climbing in Dardiza Bay – Ermioni

On December 31, 2021December 27, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general15 Comments

It has been quite some time since our last trad climbing adventure and due to the fact weather forecasts were not very favourable, we decided to go to explore a nice rock which is located nearby a town called Ermioni.

Our previous climbing adventure in the area, took place to the magnificent Thermisia Lagoon, and Kouverta beach.

This time, we wanted to explore a nice rock that from far we could spot it could offer a nice climb towards the top.

Trad_Climbing_Dardiza_Bayby1_Ermioni_174619_852_b

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Dardiza Bayby 1 V- UIAA 30 m. | Trad Climbing in Dardiza Bay – Ermioni

On December 20, 2021December 22, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general16 Comments

Our previous climbing adventure in the area, took place to the magnificent Thermisia Lagoon, and Kouverta beach.

This time, we wanted to explore a nice rock that from far we could spot it could offer a nice climb towards the top.

Trad_Climbing_Dardiza_Bayby1_Ermioni_172947_401 — Lovely view towards Hydra island

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Souzaki Mouzaki V- UIAA 50 m. | Trad Climbing in Kouverta Beach – Ermioni

On May 2, 2021May 4, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general12 Comments

It has been about a month since our last trad climbing adventure and this time we have decided to go to explore one more easy going and hassle free ridge.

Our previous climbing adventure, took place to the magnificent Thermisia Lagoon, and this time, again we climbed next to the seaside, though at a beautiful beach near Ermioni, named Kouverta.

This ridge was spotted quite some time ago, during our last visit to the region, and this time we decided to go to explore and eventually to climb it. And this is what we have actually done.

Climbing_Ermioni_Souzaki_Mouzaki_route_193518_061_b — View towards Kouverta beach

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Lizard V UIAA 90 m. | Trad Climbing on top of Thermisia Lagoon

On March 22, 2021May 4, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general27 Comments

Due to the fact in Greece there is a national lockdown (covid-19), the opportunities to visit high mountains are very limited and therefore the past 6 months we did not have the chance to go for any winter mountaineering activity. Though, our passion and pleasure for outdoor activities, lead us to explore previous unexplored areas, and this is what we have done this time.

In the Argolis region, there is a magnificent Biotope with the name Thermisia Lagoon. Thermisia lagoon is an important habitat of rare migratory birds. It is a serene and unique lagoon surrounded by a breathtaking landscape.

Climbing_Thermisia_Lagoon_Lizard_Route_171538_862 — Thermisia Lagoon and Gulf of Hydra

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A Trad Climbing Guidebook of Profitis Elias – Asini, Argolis (Greece)

On March 10, 2021June 4, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Mountaineering general13 Comments

In the past years we have been climbing in various areas, mountains and crags and therefore we gained experience in the various forms of climbing. With this post, we would like to share with you a free climbing guidebook from the first established routes in Profitis Elias of Asini, which is located nearby Nafplio.

The rock climbing around 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. The Argolis area claims to receive over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and is a popular holiday destination. It also means that it is possible to rock climb virtually all year round in the Argolis region.

Profitis_Elias_Asini_Trad_Climbing_Cover — Download FREE Guidebook

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The Long Run IV+/V- UIAA 900 m.| Climbing the South-East Ridge of Mount Ortholithi

On February 7, 2021March 5, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general20 Comments

The first time I visited mount Ortholithi was in 2015 and I was really fascinated by this mountain. Although, in that first ascent I hiked up to the chapel of Saint Elias, I particularly liked to be on the top of mount Ortholithi. Since then, I have been a couple of more times either hiking or climbing. Last year, February 2020, just before the first lockdown in Greece (covid-19), I had the chance to go and first ascent the South-West ridge via a route that I named as “Monsters of the Wind“.

A year later, once again, mount Ortholithi “invited” me again, but this time, I climbed to the top via the South-East ridge, via a route that was firstly ascent by Jim Titt and Hans Weninger.

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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 general8 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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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.