Monsters of the Wind | Climbing the South-West Ridge of Mount Ortholithi

On July 3, 2020June 10, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general19 Comments

Ever since I started my outdoor adventures, and especially climbing, I was always excited to repeat famous climbing routes that were first ascended by legendary greek and not only climbers.

All these years, I have been on several mountain peaks and lakes, I have climbed traditional routes, I’ve pushed my limits in sport climbing, I trained in Dry Tooling and of course I have done my favourite -of all- activity, winter mountaineering.

Having acquired all the knowledge (via dedicated mountaineering and climbing schools) and extensive experience (via the expeditions I have participated), it was about time to have a first ascent too.

South-West_Ridge_Ortholithi_Mountain_161033_798 — Monsters of the Wind IV+/V- (South-West ridge of Mount Ortholithi)

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Mixed and Alpine Climbing in Vardousia Mountain | Aris II 2 M2 – 400m.

On March 5, 2020December 4, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering12 Comments

Vardousia (Greek: Βαρδούσια) is a mountain in northwestern Phocis and southwestern Phthiotis, Greece. Its highest peak, Korakas (Greek: Κόρακας) reaches 2,495 m (8,186 ft) above sea level, making it the second-tallest summit in Central Greece after Giona. It is a southern extension of the Pindus mountains. It is divided into three main parts: Northern Vardousia, whose highest peak is Sinani at 2,059 metres (6,755 feet), the very steep Western Vardousia, whose highest peak is Soufles at 2,300 metres (7,500 feet), and Southern Vardousia, with the highest peak of Korakas. The whole range measures about 25 kilometres (16 miles) from north to south.

The Vardousia is drained by tributaries of the river Spercheios to the north, the Mornos to the east and south, and the Evinos to the west. The Panaitoliko mountains are to the west, Tymfristos to the northwest, Oeta to the east and Giona to the southeast.

Vardousia_Mountain_Mixed_Climbing_Aris_062331_805 — Gioni Plai as seen from Profitis Elias

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Dry Tooling in Parnassos (Parnassus) Mountain

On February 23, 2020July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Winter Mountaineering1 Comment

Few weeks ago, I have been on Mount Parnassos in order to ascent one of the couloirs that is located on the North Face of Gerontovrachos. Due to the fact we climbed fast and finished the route early, instead of leaving the mountain and returning home, we decided to spend some time on a Dry Tooling crag that is located nearby the Ski centre of Parnassos.

This Dry tooling crag is in close proximity of the Kelaria parking lot and it’s very easy to access it.

Alpine_Climb_Parnassos_Gerontovrachos_084521_787 — Dry Tooling crag on Mount Parnassos

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Cassin Alpinist Tech Crampon – First Thoughts Review

On February 17, 2020August 28, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review7 Comments

I have been wandering in the mountains for several years now and I have been evolving my mountaineering skills step by step. From simple hiking to rock climbing, alpine climbing up to demanding mix climbing techniques.

While evolving and acquiring new knowledge, it has been necessary to update my mountaineering gear too. My first pair of crampons were the Rock Empire Mackhi, and my second pair the Grivel G12. While my general mountaineering skills got more advanced, I felt the need to update my crampons too. The Grivel G12 are exceptional, though I was feeling that the G12 were limiting me on the mixed climbing and Dry Tooling fields.

Cassin_Alpinist_Tech_Crampon_Review_150408_292 — Cassin Alpinist Tech Crampon & carrying case

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Dry Tooling in Athens – Rizos’ Cave

On February 12, 2020September 3, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Winter Mountaineering9 Comments

Mountaineering is the set of activities that involves ascending mountains.

Mountaineering-related activities include traditional outdoor climbing, skiing, and traversing via ferratas. Sport climbing and Bouldering and even Dry Tooling are also considered mountaineering by some.

Unlike most sports, mountaineering lacks widely-applied formal rules, regulations, and governance; mountaineers adhere to a large variety of techniques and philosophies when climbing mountains. One of the various techniques is Dry Tooling too.

DryTooling_Athens_Epos_Fylis_Rizos_Cave_092853_401 — Petzl Quark for Dry Tooling

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Alpine Climb in Gerontovrachos – Parnassos

On February 10, 2020August 31, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering5 Comments

This winter in Greece, is rather dry so far and therefore we did not have many chances to enjoy winter mountaineering activities like the previous years. Nevertheless, last week there was some snowfall and in combination with low temperatures, we decided to go and climb one of the many couloirs in Gerontovrachos – Parnassos.

Located at the center of Greece, Parnassus (Parnassos) is one of the biggest and most beautiful mountains of the country. Its highest part is Liakoura peak at 2.457 m. and Tsarkos (2.415 m.) and Gerontovrahos (2.389 m.) peaks follow.

Alpine_Climb_Parnassos_Gerontovrachos_080759_634 — View from Gerontovrachos peak

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Traverse of Arête of Chelmos/Aroania Mountain Pt. 02 | Gardiki – Arête – Neraidalono – Kalavryta Ski Centre

On June 30, 2019September 1, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking, Mountaineering general1 Comment

It was around 5.30 in the morning when I woke up in this beautiful landscape, right bellow Madero and Gardiki peaks. As soon I opened my eyes I enjoyed the stunning rock that was just above us. It was from there we abseiled the night before. The moon was just above that rocky face and from the east I could see the first sun beams of this new day.

See Part 01 of Traverse of Arête of Chelmos here

It was very silent with a lovely morning breeze and while I was enjoying the views, I was thinking our wonderful moments of the previous day.

Traverse_Chelmos_Helmos_Arete_080646_219 — Early morning moon

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Traverse of Arête of Chelmos/Aroania Mountain Pt. 01 | Lake Doxa – Karavi – Nisi – Madero

On June 24, 2019September 1, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking, Mountaineering general7 Comments

The previous couple of months I was extremely busy and therefore, besides some rock climbing I was not able to dedicate enough time to new mountaineering adventures.

Though, in my calendar, I had booked a specific date that the Mountaineering Club of Athens (EOS Athinon) would organise the famous long Traverse Arête of Chelmos (Aroania)

Aroania, also known as Helmos or Chelmos, is a mountain range in Achaea, Peloponnese, Greece. At 2,355 m elevation, Aroania is the third highest mountain of the Peloponnese, after Taygetus and Kyllini, and the highest in Achaea. The largest town near the mountain is Kalavryta. The municipal unit Aroania took its name from the mountain.

Lake_Doxa_03 — Lake Doxa and Mount Penteleia (Dourdouvana)

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Alpine Climb on Parnassos Mountain – Gerontovrachos and Touborachi

On March 12, 2019July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering2 Comments

Greece, besides picturesque islands and beautiful shores, is a mountainous country with plenty of different mountains and hundreds of peaks above 2.000 meters. One of the greatest mountains of central Greece, is Parnassos (Parnassus) mountain.

Mount Parnassus is a great area which extends to the municipalities of Boeotia, Phthiotis and Phocis.

Since 1938 a big part of the forest area of the mountain, has been declared as a National Park, which along with the one on Olympus were the first ones that were established in Greece. The Mountain of Apollo, as it also called, is known from the ancient times, as there are many myths connected to it.

Parnassos_Mountain_Parnassus_Winter_Climb_Gerontovrachos_20190309_205638_021 — Trail Sign

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Winter Hike and Climb on Dirfi Mountain

On February 11, 2019September 11, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering9 Comments

One more weekend was approaching and the initial plan was to go and climb one of the famous gullies of Gerontovrachos, on Mount Parnassos. Though, last minute unforeseen changes, forced me to change my plans and join the -excellent- company of other two experienced mountaineering guys, and all together to go and climb the central couloir of Mount Dirfi.

Dirfi is the highest mountain of Evia. Although Evia is technically an island, it is considered part of mainland Greece because it is only separated by a narrow channel. It stretches from NW to SE, with Dirfi rising in the middle.