The Long Run IV+/V- UIAA 900 m.| Climbing the South-East Ridge of Mount Ortholithi

On February 7, 2021March 5, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general22 Comments

The first time I visited mount Ortholithi was in 2015 and I was really fascinated by this mountain. Although, in that first ascent I hiked up to the chapel of Saint Elias, I particularly liked to be on the top of mount Ortholithi. Since then, I have been a couple of more times either hiking or climbing. Last year, February 2020, just before the first lockdown in Greece (covid-19), I had the chance to go and first ascent the South-West ridge via a route that I named as “Monsters of the Wind“.

A year later, once again, mount Ortholithi “invited” me again, but this time, I climbed to the top via the South-East ridge, via a route that was firstly ascent by Jim Titt and Hans Weninger.

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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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Via Ferrata and scrambling in Arma – Parnitha Mountain

On June 7, 2020July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general8 Comments

Athens is the capital of Greece and offers many different outdoor activities for the visitors of the city just 30 minutes from the city centre. One of the most visited location for such activities is mount Parnitha that besides hiking, climbing and cycling, one can enjoy a really nice Via Ferrata route that is located in “Arma“.

A via ferrata (Italian for “iron path”, plural vie ferrate or in English via ferratas) is a protected climbing route found in the Alps and certain other locations. The via ferrata found on Mount Parnitha is called “Arma” and the starting point is nearby “Moni Kliston” monastery. For the most part, it is the route that climbers have been following year after year in order to access the climbing barracks.

Parnitha_Via_Ferrata_Arma_205645_209 — First part of Arma Via Ferrata Route

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Hiking, Scrambling and Climbing the Flabouri Ridge – Parnitha

On May 25, 2020July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general7 Comments

Our previous post was dedicated to the first outdoor activity post covid-19 lockdown and this post is dedicated to the second excursion in one of the most visited mountains of Greece, mount Parnitha.

For training purposes, the route we have selected was of mixed difficulty which offered hiking, scrambling and even IV UIAA climbing, the Flabouri Ridge route.

Parnitha_Flabouri_Ridge_Kopsi_204153_671 — View of the Flabouri Ridge and the city of Athens

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Hiking in Ermionida – Ermioni – Kranidi (Argolis) Part 04 | Grand Traverse Mikrovouni – Asprovouni – Profitis Elias

On November 18, 2019February 4, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking2 Comments

Ermioni is a small fishing town of Argolida (Argolis) at the east of Peloponnese. The traditional taverns, the cafes, the paved streets, the beautiful houses and the crystal clear beaches around this area are some of the reasons this town is an interesting summer destination of Peloponnese. While travelling around this area you will have the chance to admire the olive and the pine trees and plenty of bays with turquoise water.

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Hiking and Scrambling on Oligyrtos’ peak Chionotripa

On May 8, 2018July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking, Mountaineering general1 Comment

Oligyrtos is a mountain located at the junction of Arcadia, Corinthia and Argolis in the northeastern Peloponnese in Greece. The mountain diagonally stretches from southwest to northeast, with about 35 km length and 15 to 20 km breadth. Its highest point is the peak Skipiza, at 1,935 m elevation. Other peaks are Gkrimini (1,831 m), Parnias (1,800 m), Skiathis (1,777 m) and Mavrovouni (1,695 m).

Neighbouring mountain ranges are Kyllini (Ziria) to the north, Mainalo to the southwest, Mount Trachi to the south and Chelmos (Aroania) to the northwest. Local flora consists mostly of grasslands and bushes. Pine trees and barren lands are found in higher areas. It is drained towards the Lake Stymphalia (which is located nearby Lake Doxa) to the north, and towards the plain of Kandila to the south.

Mount_Oligyrtos_Chionotripa_Grimini_7827 — Starting point of the route. Lafka Village – Saint Athanasios Square.

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Scrambling in Artemisio Mountain (Artemisio Arete)

On October 20, 2017October 20, 2017 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking3 Comments

Artemisio mountain is on the border between Arcadia and Argolis, in the Municipalities of Argos-Mycenae and Tripolis respectively. It forms part of the mountain range that connects the Argolic Gulf with the Corinthian, and as such, it borders with Lyrkeio mountain on the north and with Ktenias mountain on the south. On its west is the plateau of Mantineia. Its tallest peak which is called Malevos is 1,771 metres in height.

Scrambling_In_Artemisio_2005 — Route 34 leads to Malevos peak 1.771 m.

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Autumn Ascent on Mount Aselinon (Giona) via Karagiannis path

On September 25, 2017July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking, Mountaineering general9 Comments

It has been three years ago since our last visit to Mount Aselinon (Giona), and time has come to pay one more visit to the highest Greek mountain south of Olympus.

Mount Aselinon (Giona) is a mountain in Phocis, Central Greece. It is located between the mountains of Parnassus to the east, Vardousia to the west, and Oeta to the north. Known in classical antiquity as the Aselinon Oros (moonless mountain), it is the highest mountain south of Olympus and the fifth overall in Greece. Pyramida is its highest peak at 2,510 metres (8,235 ft).