Kalydonios Kapros V+ UIAA, 100 m. | Trad Climbing in Varasova

On January 7, 2023September 1, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general1 Comment

During the winter time, I mostly enjoy to go for Winter Mountaineering activities and the initial plan for the first outdoor trip of 2023, was to visit and climb Mt. Olympus. Though, this year, here in Greece we had minimum snowfalls so far and taking also into the account the high temperatures (for this time of the year), we decided to change our plan and instead of visiting Mt. Olympus for Winter Mountaineering, to visit Mt. Varasova for Trad Climbing.

Our plan was to climb as many multi-pitch routes, in traditional style, thus we selected route in the range of V UIAA and VI UIAA.

Trad_Climbing_Varasova_Kalydonios_Kapros_31 — View of the Rock

Continue reading →

Skytali V+ UIAA 35 m. – Trad Climbing in Arma – Mt. Parnitha – Attica

On November 21, 2022September 5, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general3 Comments

Every now and then I try to visit one of my favourite outdoor locations of Greece, and specifically Mt. Parnitha which is located just 30 minutes far from Athens city centre. 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 Poikilo) that surround the circular plain, in which the city of Athens is built. Mt Parnitha is the tallest and more impressive among the mountains that surround Athens.

During my previous visits in Parnitha, I had the pleasure to climb in the area of Flabouri, but this time I want to visit and climb in the area of Arma.

Parntha_Agios_Kiprianos_Koromilia_Tamilthi_Alogopetra_190511_668 — Tamilthi Peak – View towards Arma

Continue reading →

Taygete – 6 pitches, 6b+ 205 m. | Multi Pitch Climb in Pleiades Crag – Katafyki Ravine – Ermioni

On November 1, 2022September 3, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Mountaineering general11 Comments

Autumn in Greece is a lovely season and especially for outdoor activities such as rock climbing. Recently, I got again the chance to go to explore a newly established route in the area of Ermionida and specifically by Katafyki Ravine. On May 2022, I had the opportunity to climb a beautiful multi-pitch route, MAIA which is located on the west wall in the ravine of Katafyki, and specifically, between the Katafyki Main Crag and the Petrogerakas Crag.

In Katafyki ravine there are more than 70 sport climbing routes and a handful of multi-pitch routes. Most of the routes were established around 2000-2001 from Jim Titt.

Recently and with the active involvement of the local climbing community, the need of more multi-pitch routes arose and after MAIA one more new route was established and bolted in a crag named “Pleiades“. The name of this new route is Taygete.

Taygete_MultiPitch_Pleiades_Katafyki_Ermioni_44 — Climbing up

Continue reading →

Climbing in Ermionida, Argolis (Greece) Guidebook Edition 2022

On September 27, 2022September 14, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing8 Comments

NOTICE: A new Climbing in Ermionida Guidebook (edition 2025) is published
You can find the updated version here.

Once upon a time, back in the 2000’s, a climbing revolution occurred in Ermionida, East Peloponnese. The British climber, Jim Titt, and the German Inge Zaczek went and equipped more than 200 routes on the area’s excellent limestone rocks, with stainless steel bolts. They spent a lot of their time, money and effort for the development of sport climbing in the area and we are thankful for it.

In 2021, the local climbing community, with the aid and support of the Municipality of Ermionida and Tripolis Mountaineering Club, carried out maintenance works on the various crags and replaced several anchors, with new high quality and certified material.

In 2022, a new crag (the 8th in the region), Petrogerakas crag was developed near Katafyki Gorge. In addition, three new sectors were bolted in Castle Thermisia (Orias’ Wall, Leon’s Wall and Byzantine Wall) and several more routes in the crags of Ermionida.

Climbing_Ermionida_Guidebook_Cover — Climbing in Ermionida Guidebook Edition 2022

Continue reading →

Climbing in Meteora – Vlemma Tou Gerakiou V+ UIAA 120 m. – Fylakas Agiou Pnevmatos

On September 20, 2022September 24, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Mountaineering general2 Comments

It has been quite some time since my last visit in the area of Meteora, and due to the fact the Hellenic Federation of Mountaineering & Climbing was organising the annual meet up of the climbing community of Greece, I did not loose the chance to join the festivities and be part in of the most spectacular areas of Greece.

Meteora includes about 170 conglomerate summits of various shapes and types, as massive mountains, rocky pinnacles, minor peaks and spires, some of which are truly amazing and bizarre. The range overlooks the village of Kastràki and the town of Kalabàka and features about 850 multi-pitch and single pitch routes. Due to their singularity and a bit of mistery surrounding the place, in addition to the presence of various monasteries, the towers of Meteora are quite famous all over the world.

Climbing_Meteora_Fylakas_Agiou_Pnevmatos_New_Route_V_085358_301

Continue reading →

Klassiki VI UIAA 100 m. – Trad Climbing in Kato Flabouri – Mt. Parnitha – Attica

On September 5, 2022September 5, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general11 Comments

One of my favourite locations in Greece for outdoor activities is Mt. Parnitha which is located just 30 minutes far from Athens city centre. 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 Poikilo) 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.

Every now and then, I try to visit the area of Mt. Parnitha either for hiking or climbing activities. Though, for quite some time now, I had in my bucket list to visit the area of Kato Flabouri and climb the first ever route that was climbed in the area. This route is known as Klassiki (classic) or by the names of the first ascenders – Michailides, Tsamakides, Liagos, Idosides.

Climbing_Parnitha_Kato_Glabouri_Classic_Klassiki_044 — View of the rock and the route

Continue reading →

PETZL Adjama 2021 – Climbing Harness Review

On August 28, 2022August 25, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review1 Comment

Rock climbing is an activity that is done outdoors and provides a feeling unlike any other outdoor activity. To reach that feeling, though, you need to have the correct gear to keep you safe in case of a fall. A climbing harness is a crucial piece of equipment: it’s the contact point between you, your rope and your belayer (the person on the ground on the other end of the rope to stop you from falling).

There are many climbing harness options to choose from and it all depends what kind of climbing you are planning to do and how the specific harness fits on your body.

Petzl_Adjama_2021_Harness_Review_Body_05 — Petzl Adjama 2021 Harness with gear

Continue reading →

Dardiza Bayby Shitter V- UIAA 20 m. | Trad Climbing in Dardiza Bay – Ermioni

On July 9, 2022September 17, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general20 Comments

Summer time in Greece, especially in the southern regions of the country can be rather hot. Therefore climbing near the seaside can be a very nice experience and at the same time bearable with the high temperatures.

In the past year, we have climbed a lot in the Ermionida region and we established several Trad Climbing routes, especially nearby Dardiza Bay.

Dardiza_Bayby_Shitter_18 — Magnificent view from R1

Continue reading →

Fantastic 4 V+ UIAA 200 m. – Trad Climbing in Kantili – Mt. Pateras – Attica

On June 19, 2022August 31, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general2 Comments

It has been almost two years ago since my last visit in the area of Mt. Pateras and specifically in Kantili location. During my previous visit, I had climbed the Horned Owl ridge but while climbing that ridge it struck my attention a rock formation which is located in the opposite from the main peak of Kantili.

After some research, I had noticed that there were a couple of routes and together with a climbing buddy, we decided to pay a visit to the area and give a try to a route named Fantastic 4.

Pateras is a mountain of West Attica, Greece, with an elevation of 1,131 meters. Its highest peak is named Leontari. It is situated between the plain of Eleusis and the plain of Megara, and stretches between the Gulf of Corinth at Aigosthena and the Saronic Gulf near Eleusis.

It is separated from its northern neighbour Cithaeron by the plain of Vilia. The mountain is covered with woods with Aleppo pine and Mediterranean maquis. In the tops of the mountain, that belong to a CORINE biotope, there are firs, of species Abies cephalonica.

Fantastic_4_Kantili_Trad_Climbing_160745_989 — First view of the rock and the route

Continue reading →

Dirty Friday IV+ UIAA 95 m. | Trad Climbing at the top of Profitis Elias – Asini

On June 4, 2022September 12, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general11 Comments

It has been almost 2 years since my last visit in the area of Asini and specifically to the Profitis Elias rock.

The Profitis Elias rock stands upwards in the beautiful scenery of Asini is called Profitis Elias. The little chapel that is build on top is dedicated to Prophet Elias, and thus the name of the hill.

The view at the top is panorama (360º) and you can get a pretty good idea of the surrounding area and its morphology. It is on the way to the coast of Tolo, if you are coming from Nafplio. There is a road that takes you from the village of Ag. Paraskevi to the lower parts of the hill. From there it is a 15-20 minutes walk uphill, following the path designated by white crosses, that will take you to the top.