Tag: Climbing

Hiking and Crossing Lambia Mountains

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking4 Comments

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.

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Starting Point Tsipiana Village
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Hiking in Ermionida – Ermioni – Kranidi (Argolis) Part 03 | Katafyki Gorge

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking3 Comments

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.

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Start/End point of the Katafyki trail

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Vardousia Mountains Alpine Climb via Lion’s Couloir

On 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.

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Mount Aselinon (Giona) while driving to Vardousia Mountains
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Dirfi Mountain Winter Climb via Couloir

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering4 Comments

For one more time, due to weather conditions we were forced to change our initial plans and instead of Vardousia mountain, we have decided to visit the beautiful mountain of Evia, 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.

Its highest peak Delphi 1,743 meters, is the highest mountain of all the Greek islands after the mountains of Crete. The mountain has pine trees, chestnuts, oak trees, fir trees, many steep parts and a rich fauna. Each year there is a lot of snow on its high peaks and for this reason it has so many springs of flowing waters, which are bottled. You should also see the aesthetical forest of Steni and the famous Dragon Houses on the mountain. The hut of the mountaineering association of Chalkida, is located at an altitude of 1.150 meters above sea level.

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Via Ferrata Arma – Parnitha Mountain

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general9 Comments

Winter time in Greece is a very interesting season. Weather conditions can vary from mild to extremely harsh. For this weekend, our initial plan was to visit Vardousia mountain for a winter mountaineering ascent, though the extreme winds (more that 80 km/h) forced us to change our plans. Due to the fact we wanted to try something new, we have decided to visit the splendid Via Ferrata “Arma” which is located on Mount Parnitha.

See the latest visit in Via Ferrata “Arma” with many more photos here

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 Aigaleo) 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.

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Via Ferrata Arma – starting/end point
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La Sportiva Trango Extreme Evo Light GTX – Mountaineering Boot Review

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn footwear, Gear Review1 Comment

Having reviewed one of the most used and iconic mountaineering boots, this time we will review another mountaineering boot made in Italy, the La Sportiva Trango Extreme Evo.

The La Sportiva Trango Extreme Evo boot is designed for the modern requirements of the alpinist: waterproof, lightweight, insulated, high performance. The ideal balance for people who want a light boot suitable for crampons. Featuring the same abrasion resistant and waterproof Cordura® upper of the Trango S Evo, and a Gore-Tex®/Duratherm® membrane, that guarantees waterproofness and breathability, combined with an antishock HP3 midsole. Suitable for alpinism, ice climbing and hiking. The improved lacing system features a lace lock that allows double tension. Double rubber reinforcement on the toe box, double density Vibram® sole – easy to resole.

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Parnassos Mountain Winter Mountaineering Ascent

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering15 Comments

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.

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.

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Sunrise view
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Hiking to the top of Mount Parnonas

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking7 Comments

This winter, weather conditions in Greece have not been very harsh and therefore we did not have many snowfalls till now. In our search for snow, we have decided to visit one of the nicest mountains of Pelopennese area, Mount Parnonas (or Malevos).

Parnonas is a mountain range, or massif, on the east of the Laconian plain and the Evrotas valley, upon which Grant Parnon resides. It is visible from Athens above the top of the Argive mountains. The western part is in the Laconia prefecture and the northeastern part is in the Arcadia prefecture. The Parnon range separates Laconia from Arcadia. Its summit offers panoramic views of southeastern Arcadia and South Kynouria and much of Laconia that includes the northern and the central portions and reaches as far as the Taygetos mountains. It also views a part of the central Arcadia and the southern Argolis prefectures.

Parnonas also known as “Malevos” is the mountain range which divides two large counties of Peloponnese, Arcadia and Laconia. The highest peak of Parnonas is called “Megali Tourla” also known as “Kronio” and has 1936 meters altitude. The mountain ends in Laconia at the Cape Maleas, south of Peloponnese.

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Starting point

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La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX Mountaineering Boot Review

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn footwear, Gear Review6 Comments

It is considered to be one of the best mountaineering boots, for sure, it is one of the most iconic mountaineering boots there are out in the market. The La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX, is indeed, a great piece of gear for multiple winter mountaineering activities. From an easy Alpine route, to mixed climb up to ice climbing. La Sportiva’s Nepal Evo GTX is one of the most popular mountaineering boots of all time; a combination of rugged, supportive 3.2mm Perwanger leather, classic lacing system, lugged Vibram sole with rigid midsole, all lined with insulated Gore-Tex to keep a mountaineer warm and dry.

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La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX Side View
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