Training Log Archive: roar

Mt. Olympus

The big one. Picked up some brioche for lunch and tried to get out early. Start high enough, 1100m but still a long slog of a climb to 2900m. First bit was gradual enough but we didn't run that much and it slowly got steeper. Picked up a dog (who we named Zeus) just after the lower refuge and he hung around all day. Once out of the forest it was still sunny but a small bit breezy so it was jackets time. Zeus was great for finding goats on the mountainside as he'd take off after them the whole time. Pre-summit push was tough on scree with some snow and then we had to make an assessment. The summit is a scramble a the best of times. There was snow up top for us, meaning the first 50m were down an icy/snowy valley with a a 200m cliff below. We elected against and went up a 10m lower summit just over the ways.
Then we had to traverse. A guide lower told us to not do it saying it was icy and snowy but we could see it on the way up and it was fine. The first bit was fine, then we turned the corner onto the north-east side and were faced with a ~500m snowy traverse over a deep sloping bowl. It was good grippy snow and we went for it. Wasn't too bad in the end but slow going. Zeus elected for a different route choice descending 200m down the bowl after some goats. We sheltered in the high refuge for lunch then which was very comfy.

Now for the descent! Bit chilly post lunch but once moving was quite ok. Some great plateau looking back at Olympus as first, then a lovely ridge. We then came across a junction. Anathema was signposted right so we went left. This turned out to be the wrong way and added about 4k ish of flat ish. We moved well along here though before the final beech leafy and root steep descent. Marcus commented that no one had fallen at which point I immediately fell. While laughing at me he then fell more dramatically. Got down with time to spare before sunset for once. Gave Zeus some salami before he tucked himself into a corner in the car park to do it all again tomorrow. Then had food in the convenient restaurant. This later turned out to not be enough and we had a pizza for second dinner! Great day.

Driving Olympuswards, stopped in Meteora to look at some rocks. Pretty cool rocks they were too. Huge conglomerate towers with monasteries built in and on them. We happened across a 10k trail run route and followed that with a few diversions for viewpoints and interesting things. Sun was out and this was just super pleasant. Everyone's legs fairly smashed but got going after a fashion. Interesting finish climbing up a tight valley.

Some touristing after looking at monasteries but had some issues with times. First one we arrived at 14:30 and it closed at 14:00. Next we got to at 15:30 after it closed at 15:00, then 16:00 and finally got to the 17:00 closing one at 16:30 so got a quick look around.

Vikos gorge

After yesterday we decided to do this in the opposite way than planned in case there were uncrossable rivers (while still going clockwise of course!). Started in Vikos with a big descent into the valley and had a look at the little church there at which point it decided to lash. Sheltered from the worst of before heading up. Mostly a lovely path up the gorge and it slowly got more epic as we went, with steeper higher sides. one slightly fun river crossing but nothing too serious. Probably wouldn't have been doable yesterday. I had a look at yesterdays uncrossable part and it probably went today too. Marcus headed up the hill and Matt and I did a half-hearted attempt at the segment. I actually would have been pretty close if my GPS had started in the right place.
Than back to the same place as yesterday for lunch just as the sun came out. Tasty grilled pork for me.

Vikos ridge

Left the cafe, started lashing. First thing was to continue climbing which we took handy enough, being a bit full post lunch. Cool path though through a mad rock forest and then some nice runnable stuff through some fields. Got up to the view point and did a small out and back on a cliff ledge but with fog and rain could see nothing. Had a debate then about how to go home and decided on the big track, skipping the small path as we were wet and tired. Correct decision because it turned out to be an area of limestone pillars, holes, cliffs etc. Some sweet views for us though. I crashed a bit here somewhere but a biscuit and some chocolate sorted me out. Hit the summit in the wind though the rain let up. Then the path disappeared. randomised down the steep hillside to find a lower path which led us through a forest of invisible barking dogs. Nice descent though a little bit of quad preservation. Just got down before sunset again.

On our way to the shop our AirBnB host asked if we wanted to see their Tsipuro manufacturing. Of course we said yes and were treated to several glasses of some homemade spirit and some snacks. Really cool to get to see this and not sober afterwards!

Bridges and gorges pt 1
Loads of lovely Bridges the day after lots and lots of rain so they were quite necessary. Had some early fun with path going through the river but manageable. Nice then for a bit and gained a dog companion for a good bit. Did an extra climb to find a lunch spot, it started raining and then lunch was closed... Sheltered for a bit and convinced ourselves to continue uphill and did eventually find some food and a fire which was great.

Bridges and gorges pt 2
Now that we were fed and moods were up headed down the gorge. I had an amazing recital of some Shakespeare in an amphitheatre we found and the rain stopped. Nice descent though legs were tired. Upon reaching the bottom the plan was to cross the river but, after all the rain yesterday the river was full. With a massive rapids just below us and the water at huge flow we reckoned it was not crossable. Wandered up and down a bit before going back for the 300m ascent out of the gorge. Tough that was. Took a shortcut down and up we skipped that had signs saying watch out for bears then down to the river for a bridge that crossed it. Lovely path then along this river to the first bridge we stopped at in the car before final push along the road in failing light, finishing so that we needed torches to get changed.

Lap of a lagoon on bikes. Plenty of birds and good fun. Rough enough at times but fun.

Post driving run in fading light and pouring rain. I haven't been that wet in a while. Big climb to start and warm up, felt pretty good personally. Along a road to a beautiful regional town with no car access before down across the gorge. Good steep descent and tasty steps up the other side. Path was a bit flooded in a few places which was fun really. Final descent racing the sun again!

Day 1 in Greece. Random explore up a hill from a beach after lunch and stone skimming at a different beach on the way. Lovely scramble though with sweet views. Some very sharp limestone and good erosion features.

Didn't record the earlier walking around a fortress near the corinth canal which was also very fun and hilly with great views.

Then nice dinner in messlongi, which was quite the busy little town