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

On May 2, 2022May 2, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Mountaineering general12 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 Climbing4 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.

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 Climbing13 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.

Climbing_Agios_Andreas_Crag_01 — Climbing Agios Andreas – The Crag

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Climbing in Ermionida, Argolis (Greece) Guidebook

On October 28, 2021April 9, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing7 Comments

Climbing_Ermionida_Guidebook_01 — Climbing in Ermionida Guidebook Cover Page

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Climbing in Charamos Crag – Kandia – Argolis, Greece

On April 27, 2021April 30, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing6 Comments

The last few years, and mainly in the last decade Climbing and specifically Sport Climbing has gone from niche sport to worldwide sensation, and here in Greece this is the rule too. As a result, more and more new climbing crags have been spring up like mushrooms all over mainland Greece, in the Greek islands (ex. Kalymnos), but especially in Peloponnese many new climbing areas have been established. For example in Peloponnese one can climb in Corinth, in Leonidio, in Ermionida, in Nafplio in Asini and from now near Kandia too.

Charamos Crag was spotted by S. Konstadakopoulos, who proceeded to bolt most of the routes on the left side of the rock face. C. Rigas was also invited and bolted several routes, focusing on the right portion of the crag, while E. Chroni, among others, contributed with cleaning some routes and generally supporting the bolting process. Most of the routes are quite demanding and on the upper scale of the climbing grades.

Climbing_Kandia_Argolis_Agios_Andonis_195153_407 — View from the parking spot

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Black Diamond Hotwire Quickdraw Review

On March 19, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review9 Comments

A quickdraw (also known as an extender) is a piece of climbing equipment used by rock and ice climbers to allow the climbing rope to run freely through bolt anchors or other protection while leading. The straight gate carabiner is clipped to the protection; a bent gate is used for the rope. Quickdraws are manufactured with either a solid carabiner gate or a wire carabiner gate for its lighter weight.

Black_Diamond_HotWire_Quickdraw_Review092720_920 — Black Diamond HotWire Quickdraws

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La Sportiva Otaki Climbing Shoes Review

On February 14, 2021February 11, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review7 Comments

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+. While I have been extremely happy and satisfied with the Simond Rock+ i wanted to try a pair of shoes a bit more aggressive and upon several months of research, I have decided to get my feet on the Otaki, by La Sportiva.

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Climbing in Rock of Ages – Ermionida – Argolis – Greece

On December 26, 2020December 26, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing10 Comments

Is just the second Christmas day and this time we decided to visit for a second time a crag that is located in the region on Argolis, and specifically in the municipality of Ermionida. This crag is rather infamous and is rarely visited due to the difficult approach. This crag is the Rock of Ages.

Rock of Ages, is a nice little cliff in an idyllic setting and highly recommended for those more interested in their surroundings than pushing up their grades. A small ravine with lush vegetation, good rock and varied climbing give a very pleasant day out. Continue reading “Climbing in Rock of Ages – Ermionida – Argolis – Greece” →