Winter Mountaineering climb on Nisi Peak (Arête of Chelmos/Aroania)

On March 5, 2018March 5, 2018 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering9 Comments

We are already in beginning of March and the short winter mountaineering season in Greece will be concluded in about a month from now. Therefore, for this climb, we have decided to do a more demanding winter mountaineering ascent in the non-famous peak of Nisi (paradoxically the meaning of Nisi in Greek is “island), which is located nearby Lake Doxa, and is actually the beginning of the famous alpine route “Arête of Chelmos“.

Nisi is the first high peak of the Arête of Chelmos” route and the highest point is at 2.042 meters above sea level. It has a very steep ridgeline and there are 2 main ways in order to reach the peak. The first option is to hike up from Lake Doxa towards the “hunter’s col“. This is the same route that also leads to Mount Pentelia a.k.a. Dourdouvana and is a beautiful and relatively easy route. The second option is to start from the Monastery of St. George, which is located on a beautiful plateau overlooking Lake Doxa, and to each the “Madero Col“. From St. George Monastery till “Madero Col” the route is rather easy crossing small creeks, a beautiful pine forest and parts of a local dirt road.

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Simond 2-in-1 Mountaineering Gloves Review

On February 22, 2018August 31, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review6 Comments

Winter mountaineering activities can be very enjoyable if the gear used is good and appropriate for the conditions. One of the most important gear items for winter mountaineering ascents are naturally gloves.

Simond 2 in1 Mountaineering Glove is designed for mountaineering and it has all the features you normally see on products double its price. So you get a liner glove that has synthetic insulation, and you could wear this on its own. But you also get an outer glove with a waterproof Novadry membrane, which you could also wear on its own. Goat leather palms, a nose wipe, a wrist leash and more make these gloves fully featured.

SIMOND_2-IN-1_MOUNTAINEERING_GLOVES_REVIEW_4772

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Black Diamond Big Air XP Belay Device Unboxing Preview

On February 16, 2018March 19, 2018 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review3 Comments

An essential belay/rappel package, the Black Diamond Big Air XP Package features a new ATC-XP and a Mini Pearabiner screwgate carabiner.

BlackDiamond_Air_XP_Belay_Unboxing_Review_2099 — Black Diamond Big Air XP Belay System Packaing

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Dirfi Mountain Winter Climb via Couloir

On February 12, 2018February 12, 2018 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering4 Comments

For one more time, due to weather conditions we were forced to change our initial plans and instead of Vardousia mountain, we have decided to visit the beautiful mountain of Evia, 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.

Its highest peak Delphi 1,743 meters, is the highest mountain of all the Greek islands after the mountains of Crete. The mountain has pine trees, chestnuts, oak trees, fir trees, many steep parts and a rich fauna. Each year there is a lot of snow on its high peaks and for this reason it has so many springs of flowing waters, which are bottled. You should also see the aesthetical forest of Steni and the famous Dragon Houses on the mountain. The hut of the mountaineering association of Chalkida, is located at an altitude of 1.150 meters above sea level.

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La Sportiva Trango Extreme Evo Light GTX – Mountaineering Boot Review

On January 28, 2018March 19, 2018 By Olympus MountaineeringIn footwear, Gear Review1 Comment

Having reviewed one of the most used and iconic mountaineering boots, this time we will review another mountaineering boot made in Italy, the La Sportiva Trango Extreme Evo.

The La Sportiva Trango Extreme Evo boot is designed for the modern requirements of the alpinist: waterproof, lightweight, insulated, high performance. The ideal balance for people who want a light boot suitable for crampons. Featuring the same abrasion resistant and waterproof Cordura® upper of the Trango S Evo, and a Gore-Tex®/Duratherm® membrane, that guarantees waterproofness and breathability, combined with an antishock HP3 midsole. Suitable for alpinism, ice climbing and hiking. The improved lacing system features a lace lock that allows double tension. Double rubber reinforcement on the toe box, double density Vibram® sole – easy to resole.

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Parnassos Mountain Winter Mountaineering Ascent

On January 8, 2018August 29, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering15 Comments

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.

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_Winter_Ascent_Olympus_Mountaineering4308 — Sunrise view

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Hiking in Agrafa – Panagia Pelekiti – Karamanoli – Neraida

On December 8, 2017December 7, 2017 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking1 Comment

Hiking in the Agrafa region is one of our favourite activities. Having already hiked and climbed Voutsikaki, Five Towers, Papadimitri, Pouli and Svoni, we have decided to visit another trail path in the mountainous region of Agrafa.

Agrafa is a mountainous region in Evrytania and Karditsa regional units in mainland Greece, consisting mainly of small villages. It is the southernmost part of the Pindus range. The Agrafa region is famous for its complete autonomy throughout the entire 400 years of Ottoman Turkish occupation of Greece. The word agrafa literally translates to unwritten which means unregistered or uncharted; because the Ottomans were unable to conquer this region, the area and its population were not recorded in the Sultan’s tax register. As a result the people were usually free to conduct their business and customs as they pleased without Ottoman influence.

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Agrafa Mountains – Svoni – Pouli – Papadimitri

On December 1, 2017September 1, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking3 Comments

Almost at the end of the eleventh month of the year and this time, we have decided to visit one of our favourite regions of Greece and specifically the Agrafa mountains. The route we have decided to do is the following: Karoplesi village – Papadimitri Peak (1.930 m) – Pouli Peak (1.846 m.) – Svoni Peak (2.042 m) – Saika Village, all situated in the Agrafa region of Karditsa.

Agrafa_Svoni_Pouli_Papadimitri_Hiking_3440 — Sunrise in Agrafa

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La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX Mountaineering Boot Review

On November 27, 2017August 28, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn footwear, Gear Review6 Comments

It is considered to be one of the best mountaineering boots, for sure, it is one of the most iconic mountaineering boots there are out in the market. The La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX, is indeed, a great piece of gear for multiple winter mountaineering activities. From an easy Alpine route, to mixed climb up to ice climbing. La Sportiva’s Nepal Evo GTX is one of the most popular mountaineering boots of all time; a combination of rugged, supportive 3.2mm Perwanger leather, classic lacing system, lugged Vibram sole with rigid midsole, all lined with insulated Gore-Tex to keep a mountaineer warm and dry.

LaSportiva_Nepal_Evo_Review_2278 — La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX Side View

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Autumn Ascent on Skiathis Mountain

On November 23, 2017 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking4 Comments

It was a cloudy and rainy Sunday morning, and we have decided to visit a mountain peak that is not well known. The name of this mountain is Mount Skiathis (also called Scathes or Sciathis) and is in the boarders of the prefecture of Argolis and Arcadia. In the north part is connected with Mount Oligyrtos and in the southern part with Lyrkio Mountain.

The highest point of Mount Skiathis is 1.777 meters above sea level. This mountain is not often climbed and therefore during our ascent we have not met any other hikers. Actually, the path towards the peak is not well signed and therefore in case of not optimal weather conditions, it is suggested to have a GPS device with the route already loaded in it.