Alcyone – 4 pitches, 6a 100 m. | Multi Pitch Climb in Pleiades Crag – Katafyki Ravine – Ermioni

On May 30, 2023May 30, 2023 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Mountaineering generalLeave a comment

The Pleiades crag is a magnificent formation in the heavens, named after the seven shining stars that make up the Taurus constellation. These stars, known as the Pleiades sisters, were transformed into celestial bodies by the divine hand of Zeus, according to mythology.

As a climber, the Pleiades crag represents a unique challenge and an opportunity for adventure. The crag is said to be a gateway to the heavens, a place where mortals can access the realm of the gods. But getting there is no easy feat.

The path to the Pleiades crag is treacherous and requires a high level of skill and experience. The terrain is rugged, with steep cliffs and sharp rocks.

Alcyone_Pleiades_Crag_Katafyki_Ermionida_14 — Getting ready to climb the first overhang.

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Ek Tou Anasfalous VI UIAA 90 m. | Trad Climbing in Karathona beach – Nafplio

On April 24, 2023April 26, 2023 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general3 Comments

I woke up early on Sunday, feeling excited about the day ahead. I was going trad climbing with a few friends, and I couldn’t wait to get out to the crag and test my skills on the rock face.

After packing all my gear and double-checking my equipment, I hopped into my car and drove out to the crag. As we arrived, I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I was ready for the challenge.

We took some time to scout out the route and assess the rock quality. We discussed the type of protection we’d need to place as we climbed, and I felt reassured that we were all experienced and knowledgeable about trad climbing techniques.

Ek_Tou_Anasfalous_Web_Images_29 — Topping up the route

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

On November 1, 2022November 4, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Mountaineering general6 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

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Hiking the Black Cave (Mavri Spilia) Gorge – Proussos Evrytania (family friendly)

On September 4, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking3 Comments

The last few months I was mostly focused on sport and trad climbing activities, nevertheless, one of my favourite outdoor activities is hiking, especially when I have the chance to hike together with great company. In fact, on this trip, we had a goal to explore some of the nicest -family friendly- hikes in the area of Evrytania. Having visited the Mikro Panta Vrechi, we wanted to explore more and we visited a lovely short trail, that I have also hiked in the past, the trail that leads to the Black Cave (Mavri Spilia).

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Hiking in Mikro Panta Vrechi gorge – Evrytania (family friendly)

On August 31, 2022August 25, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking5 Comments

There are several areas in Greece that I always want to dedicate more time exploring them, but for one or the other reason, I do not visit them that often. This is the region of Evrytania. Evrytania boasts to be the Alpine Greece. The well wooded mountain of Tymfristos and the high altitude has formed a unique and rare unspoiled beauty of dense fir forests and traditionally built little villages. The mountainous region of Evrytania has a wide range villages around the city of Karpenisi and it is rather popular as a winter destination as it has a ski centre on Mount Tymfristos and offers numerous outdoor activities like rafting in Karpenissiotis River and horse back riding in the forests.

Mikro_Pantavrechi_Hiking_100253_357 — View of the gorge

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Souda Twin Waterfalls – Theodoriana – Hiking in Tzoumerka (family friendly)

On August 24, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking4 Comments

Tzoumerka (or Athamanika), characterised by the mountains, the rugged landscape and the dense greenery, have the water element omnipresent in order to offer its freshness and balance through its everlasting movement! Thus, on the one hand there is the Acheloos river with its unique beaches, and on the other the Theodoriana village and its unique, twin waterfalls of Souda.

Hiking_Tzoumerka_Souda_Waterfalls_Theodoriana_01 — Beginning of the trail towards the Souda Waterfalls

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Hiking in Tzoumerka (Athamanika) Theodoriana – Marks Stream – Rema Marks – (family friendly)

On August 20, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking9 Comments

It’s been almost 6 months since my last visit to the area of Mt. Tzoumerka (Athamanika) and this time I wanted to explore an area of the mountains that I have never been before. The overall plan was to visit and explore the Central and Eastern Tzoumerka and specifically the hiking opportunities around Theodoriana village.

The trail to Marks area leads us to the heart of Elatia, the largest and pristine forest of Theodoriana, and a wonderful stream with lakes and waterfalls.

Rema_Marks_Theodoriana_Tzoumerka_Athamanika_Hiking_01 — Starting point – Information board

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

On July 9, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general15 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

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Winter Mountaineering Climb in Strogoula – Tzoumerka (Athamanika)

On February 28, 2022March 1, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering13 Comments

Winter time in Greece can be very exciting! Despite popular belief, in Greece we do have some mid-range peaks but we also have snow. This is great for whoever is interested exploring winter mountaineering routes.

Our initial plan was to visit Tzoumerka for a three day “expedition”, but due to bad weather we decided to enjoy the mountain at least for one day.

Winter_Mountaineering_Tzoumerka_Strogoula_Bear_Couloir_215311 — Tzoumerka – Strogoula as see from Pramanta Mountain Refuge

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Climbing in Koutsomaraki Crag – Mount Poikilo, Attica-Greece

On January 8, 2022January 8, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing15 Comments

While I have been searching for some new climbing crags, I came across a newsletter by Petroupolis Mountaineering Club and I have noticed that on October 4 2020, the inauguration of a new climbing crag took place. In this inauguration was also present Mr. Nikos Latsoudis, who had spotted and indicated the location of this crag about 4 years ago. The climbing crag after much effort and work done by many members of the Petroupolis Mountaineering Club took shape.