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

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

Diaberis Pothos | Trad Climbing at the top of Profitis Elias – Asini

On July 15, 2020September 3, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general17 Comments

Few weeks ago, on this blog I published my first ever First Ascent that took place on Mount Ortholithi. This time, together with 3 fellow climbers we decided to go and explore the Profitis Elias rock of Asini, nearby Nafplio city.

We have been informed that this rock is an excellent location for trad climbing and we also knew that has been totally unclimbed besides a route which was first ascended by Mountain Guide Kostas Tsoukleidis and Nadine Strobl (O Kipos tou Profiti V+ 110 m.).

Therefore, we decided to go to explore the potential of Profitis Elias rock and specifically the North Face of the rock. We have been very pleased of what we have seen and we decided to climb to the top by the North-East couloir.

Climbing_Diaberis_Pothos_Profitis_Elias_Asini_Route — Diaberis Pothos VI UIAA 100 m.

Continue reading →

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

Continue reading “Mixed and Alpine Climbing in Vardousia Mountain | Aris II 2 M2 – 400m.” →

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

Continue reading →

A mixed climbing attempt on Profitis Elias 2.257 | Mount Kyllini (Ziria)

On January 13, 2020September 3, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering3 Comments

First time I have visited Mount Kyllini (Ziria), it was during the first snow-fall of 2016. It was a very exciting day, and since then I have visited this mountain various other times but I was always reaching the highest point of Mount Kyllini (Megali Ziria), Simio.

During the last winter season, I had spotted a very nice alpine route on a lower peak of Mount Kyllini, Profitis Elias Peak (2.257 m.). As I always like to explore new alpine routes, and due to the fact I did not find any relative info for that part of mount Kyllini, I have decided to set up my gear and to go and explore the climbing possibilities of the North-West face of Profitis Elias Peak (2.257 m.).

Hiking_Climbing_Kyllini_Ziria_Profitis_Elias_Peak_103200_166 — Mount Kyllini – Megali Ziria as seen from St. Nicholas chappel

Continue reading →

Mountain Leader Seminar on Mount Parnassos

On March 27, 2019July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter MountaineeringLeave a comment

Few weeks ago, on Panachaiko (Vodias) mountain, there was the kick off weekend for the Mountain Leader Seminar that was organised by Patras Mountaineering Club.

As a mountaineer, besides training on the various fields of choice, it is very important to update regularly the skills and to learn new techniques. This is exactly what I have decided to do for the month of March. I will be following a “Mountain Leader” course that will provide all necessary set of skills in order to be a “Mountain Leader”.

For the last part of the seminar, Mount Parnassos was selected and we spent two fully scheduled days going through many different mountaineering subjects.

Parnassos_Mountain_Leader_Seminar_20190327_083642_840 — Trail to the Defner mountain hut

Continue reading “Mountain Leader Seminar on Mount Parnassos” →

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

Continue reading “Alpine Climb on Parnassos Mountain – Gerontovrachos and Touborachi” →

Panachaiko (Vodias) Mountain Winter Hike

On March 6, 2019August 23, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering8 Comments

Mountaineering is the set of activities that involves ascending mountains. Mountaineering-related activities include traditional outdoor climbing, hiking, winter climbing, Skiing and traversing via ferratas.

As a mountaineer, besides training on the various fields of choice, it is very important to update regularly the skills and to learn new techniques. This is exactly what I have decided to do for the month of March. I will be following a “Mountain Leader” course that will provide all necessary set of skills in order to be a “Mountain Leader”.

Panachaiko_Vodias_Mountain_Winter_Hike_20190306_062241_010 — Driving towards the Parking Lot

Continue reading →

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.