Monsters of the Wind – A Mixed Climbing Attempt of the South-West Ridge – Mount Ortholithi

On March 13, 2022March 14, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering6 Comments

For many years, I have been looking at the South-West ridge of Mount Ortholithi and I was always wondering how it would be to climb it. About two years ago, just before covid would reach Greece and lockdowns would be imposed, I had the chance to go, climb and free a new route which I named as Monsters of the Wind.

Since the moment I climbed Monsters of the Wind , I was wondering if it would ever be possible to try this route in winter conditions. Although this year in Greece we had a quite cold winter with quite some snowfalls, Mount Ortholithi is located in a rather dry area where snowfalls are extremely rare. Nevertheless, in mid-March of the current year we experienced and unexpected fall and I have noticed that the area of Mount Ortholithi would be covered with snow.

Winter_Mountaineering_Ortholithi_Monsters_or_the_Wind_143941_456 — Olive trees, snow and Mount Ortholithi

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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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Winter hike mount Panaitoliko (Panetoliko)

On January 3, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering7 Comments

Just before we jump into 2022, I was looking to visit and discover a new mountain of Greece, that I had never visited before. In the meantime, it was also important to check the weather forecast and where there would be enough snow for a winter mountaineering ascent. Greece, is a very mountainous country and therefore there is plenty of choice, but for this time, I have decided to visit mount Panaitoliko (or Panetoliko).

Hiking_Winter_Panaitoliko_145126_945 — On the ridge with great view towards Krimnitsa Peak

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Christmas Hike and Climb on Dirfi Mountain

On December 25, 2021December 25, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering14 Comments

Hallelujah! Alleluia! Hooray! Yahoo! Yippee!

Finally, after two years of extreme lockdown measures in Greece, we are back for some Winter Mountaineering activities! The past two years, due to the coronavirus restrictions, I was not able to visit the mountains while there was snow on them. In fact, last time I have been on a Winter Mountaineering trip was in Vardousia on February 2020.

Few days ago, I got in contact with a good mountain buddy of mine and we agreed to arrange an easy ascent on 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.

Mount_Dirfi_Dirfy_Mountain_Winter_Climb_034420_116 — Dirfi Mountain

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Camp Mach Express Dyneema Quickdraw Review

On November 19, 2020November 16, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review19 Comments

In the past years, I have been advancing in terms of mountaineering skills and climbing abilities and I have constantly been progressing to climb tougher routes. In order to do so, one needs to be physically and mentally trained, but most of the times needs to be equipped with the most adequate gear in order to have a safe and pleasant outdoor adventure.

One of the most important items for mountaineering activities is the quickdraw, and specifically the alpine quickdraw.

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The North Face Verto 27 Summit Series Backpack Review

On September 2, 2020September 2, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review8 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

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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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Climbing the Ridge of Horned Owl – Mount Pateras (Kopsi Boufou)

On June 29, 2020February 17, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general6 Comments

I have been seeing and passing by Mount Pateras for several years now, but I never had the chance to pay a visit to this mountain. Pateras is a mountain of West Attica, Greece, with an elevation of 1,131 meters. Its highest peak is named Leontari. It is situated between the plain of Eleusis and the plain of Megara, and stretches between the Gulf of Corinth at Aigosthena and the Saronic Gulf near Eleusis.

It is separated from its northern neighbour Cithaeron by the plain of Vilia. The mountain is covered with woods with Aleppo pine and Mediterranean maquis. In the tops of the mountain, that belong to a CORINE biotope, there are firs, of species Abies cephalonica.

Climbing_HornedOwl_Ridge_Kopsi_Boufou_κοψη_Μπουφου_143839_369_b — View of the Horned Owl Ridge – Kopsi Boufou

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Hiking in Artemisio Mountain – Artemisio Arête – Post Covid-19 Lockdown

On May 11, 2020May 11, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking8 Comments

It has been quite some time since the last post here on Olympus Mountaineering, and the reason was the full blown lockdown that was imposed in Greece due to the Covid-19.

Many people that enjoy the outdoor activities were forced to stay indoors, basically in their homes for almost 2 months. Though, since few days, the severe lockdown measures have been partially lifted and therefore I did not loose the chance to go and enjoy the mountains once again. My first choice was Artemisio mountain, which offers stunning landscapes a nice trail to the peak and also some fun if one goes via the Arête of Artemisio.

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.

Artemisio_Mountain_Hiking_171010_256 — Pyramid of Artemisio mountain

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Climbing the South-West Ridge of Mount Ortholithi

On March 2, 2020July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general1 Comment

It was a lovely winter Sunday morning, with plenty of sunshine and a refreshing northern breeze, when we decided to go for an explorative climb on the South-West ridge of mount Ortholithi.

Ortholithi Mountain is situated in the prefecture of Greece, Argolis. One part of the mountain is in Argolis and the North face is in Troizinia. The highest Peak of Ortholithi is 1.105 meters above sea level. From the top of the mountain the view of the sea side is breathtaking and you can easily see the capital of Greece, Athens.