PETZL Hirundos 2022 – Climbing Harness Review

On January 25, 2023 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear ReviewLeave a comment

Not very long time ago, I wanted to purchase a new harness in order to substitute my old -and loved- harness, the Mammut Ophir. In that time, I wanted to have an all around harness, with emphasis on trad and multi-pitch climbing and therefore I got the Petzl ADJAMA.

Although the Petzl ADJAMA is a great and very comfortable harness, due to the fact most of the days I spend them on sport climbing crags, I also got the new Hirundos model by Petzl.

Petzl_Hirundos_Harness_2022_New_Review_18 — Petzl Hirundos Harness 2022 with Gear

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La Sportiva Katana Laces 2022 Climbing Shoes Review

On January 13, 2023 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review1 Comment

During the past few years, while I have been constantly getting better in climbing, I have been tempted to try and test different kind of climbing shoes. My first pair as a beginner was La Sportiva Tarantula, which was a great pair of shoes for my first “baby steps” in the climbing activities. Upon that, I have tried various other models, such as the Anasazi VCS by 5.10 and the Simond Rock+ and the La Sportiva Otaki. Till this day, most of the times I use the Simond Rock+ and I have been extremely happy, though after a long testing period, I can not say the same about La Sportiva Otaki. Therefore, once again, I did an extensive research, mainly via my network of fellow climbers. My choices where the following two, the La Sportiva Katana Laces (2022 model) or the La Sportiva TC Pro.

LaSportiva_Kataki_Laces_2022_New_Review_01

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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 general2 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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Climbing in Ermionida, Argolis (Greece) Guidebook Edition 2022

On September 27, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing5 Comments

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

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

On September 20, 2022September 21, 2022 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.

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Maia – 5 pitches, 5c 178 m. | Multi Pitch Climb in Katafyki Ravine – Ermioni

On May 2, 2022May 2, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Mountaineering general14 Comments

The rock climbing around Ermionida and generally the Argolis region is all on excellent solid grey limestone. The majority of the routes are single pitch sport climbing routes, though there are some trad climbing routes as well.

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 easier and well protected multi-pitch routes arose and in April 2022, a new route was established and bolted by Vertical Art Greece.

Maia_Multi_Pitch_Katafyki_Ermioni_44 — Enjoying the first meters of the entire route

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Climbing in Petrogerakas Crag – Ermionida – Argolis – Greece

On April 4, 2022April 4, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing6 Comments

Now, it’s already 2022, and there is a new crag developed near Katafyki Gorge. This would be the 8th crag in Ermionida region.

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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.

Koutsomaraki_Climbing_Crag_Petroupoli_134943_808 — Koutsomaraki Climbing Crag

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Climbing in Arcadia/Repodina Crag – Arcadia, Greece

On November 19, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing6 Comments

Greece has risen from obscurity to become one of Europe’s most beloved sport climbing destinations. When it comes to rock climbing, Greece is unique. Thanks to the temperate climate, you can be actively involved year-round in the sport. More importantly, the rugged landscape of the land offers a variety of options (examples are limestone, caves, and marble), and so many curious geological formations to explore on all fours.

This time we have visited the newly developed crag just 40 minutes far from Leonidio. The name of this crag Arcadia (or Repodina).

Climbing_Arcadia_Crag_02 — Arcadia / Repodina Crag

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Climbing in Agios Andreas Crag – Arcadia, Greece

On November 8, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing1 Comment

The past few years, there has been developed numerous new climbing areas such as: Agios Andreas, Agios Petros, Arcadia/Repodina and Voulomeni/Nestani. The most visited area for climbing activities is Leonidio, but certainly paying a visit to Agios Andreas was a great idea.

This new crag was developed near the village of Agios Andreas in Arcadia region, Peloponnese, Greece.