Hiking to the Seven Rila Lakes – A Complete Guide to Bulgaria’s Most Famous Alpine Hike

On August 22, 2025August 22, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking7 Comments

One of the hikes that had been on our bucket list since the very beginning of our travels in Bulgaria was without a doubt the legendary Seven Rila Lakes hike. These glacier-carved lakes, scattered like a string of pearls in the heart of Rila Mountain, are not just a natural wonder, they are a symbol of Bulgarian nature, spirituality, and alpine beauty.

After exploring Pirin and Rhodope, it was finally time to lace up our boots and head to Rila National Park. The Seven Lakes hike promised everything we love in a trail: alpine meadows, crystal-clear waters, rugged mountain scenery, and the chance to experience one of the most iconic landscapes in the Balkans.

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Kidney Lake at Seven Rila Lakes, Bulgaria. — The iconic Kidney Lake – the most photographed of the Seven Rila Lakes.

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Eternity and a Day VII- 250 m. 7 pitches | Alpine Climbing on Mount Xerovouni, Evia

On June 25, 2023July 4, 2023 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general3 Comments

On a blissful summer Saturday morning, with the sun casting its warm glow upon the rugged slopes of Mount Xerovouni, a group of intrepid climbers set out on a quest to conquer the legendary Eternity and a Day (in greek: Αιωνιότητα και μία μέρα) route UIAA VII-, 7 pitches, 250m. With the weather playing its part perfectly, offering clear skies and gentle breezes, the stage was set for an extraordinary adventure.

This iconic route, known for its awe-inspiring chimney, intricate dihedrals, and breathtaking panoramic vistas, promised a day of exhilarating challenges and unforgettable memories. In this post, I invite you to join me as I delve into the intricacies of each pitch, recount the triumphs and tribulations of our ascent, and immerse ourselves in the sheer magnificence of climbing the Eternity and a Day route on Mount Xerovouni,

Eternity_and_a_Day_Alpine_Climbing_Mount_Xerovouni_Evia_48 — Majestic view from R07

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Monsters of the Wind – A Mixed Climbing Attempt of the South-West Ridge – Mount Ortholithi

On March 13, 2022March 14, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering6 Comments

For many years, I have been looking at the South-West ridge of Mount Ortholithi and I was always wondering how it would be to climb it. About two years ago, just before covid would reach Greece and lockdowns would be imposed, I had the chance to go, climb and free a new route which I named as Monsters of the Wind.

Since the moment I climbed Monsters of the Wind , I was wondering if it would ever be possible to try this route in winter conditions. Although this year in Greece we had a quite cold winter with quite some snowfalls, Mount Ortholithi is located in a rather dry area where snowfalls are extremely rare. Nevertheless, in mid-March of the current year we experienced and unexpected fall and I have noticed that the area of Mount Ortholithi would be covered with snow.

Winter_Mountaineering_Ortholithi_Monsters_or_the_Wind_143941_456 — Olive trees, snow and Mount Ortholithi

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

On February 7, 2021August 28, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general26 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.

Climbing_South-East_Ridge_Ortholithi_Long_Run_Route

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Camp Mach Express Dyneema Quickdraw Review

On November 19, 2020August 31, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review25 Comments

In the past years, I have been advancing in terms of mountaineering skills and climbing abilities and I have constantly been progressing to climb tougher routes. In order to do so, one needs to be physically and mentally trained, but most of the times needs to be equipped with the most adequate gear in order to have a safe and pleasant outdoor adventure.

One of the most important items for mountaineering activities is the quickdraw, and specifically the alpine quickdraw.

Camp_Mach_Express_Dyneema_Quickdraw_Review_120006_142

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The North Face Verto 27 Summit Series Backpack Review

On September 2, 2020August 22, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review14 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, 2020August 31, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general7 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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Simond Alpinism 22 Backpack – Long Term Review

On July 25, 2020August 22, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review11 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, 2020August 23, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review4 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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MAMMUT Ophir Speedfit – Climbing Harness Review

On July 11, 2020August 30, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review18 Comments

In this blog, besides all my outdoor activities, I also do some gear reviews of gear and equipment I personally use and have used. One of the most essential pieces of gears for climbing and mountaineering activities is a harness. In the past, I have done a preview of the Petzl Altitude Harness and this time I will do a full length and long term review of the climbing harness by Mammut, the Ophir Speedfit.