I make the same trip on 6th/7th June this year. Make the same experience like you with false information of mountain conditions. I had the same mountain condition like you one week before. It was my 23. country highpoint in Europe (ad two country highpoints out of Europe).
That was a fun read, thanks for the lavish photo treatment! Over the years I've learned that information from official sources is always conservative to the point of uselessness. Great idea to head out while you had the weather window. You are truly from the Cascades...you know that you just don't waste blue sky!
Thanks for sharing Adam. None of your usual excellent panos though?
One thing I can't agree with though. Your statement "Europian (European) climbing culture is so far advanced in comparison".
I'd have to say that their culture is impure rather than advanced. IMHO restaurants, comfortable refuges and the like have no place in the mountain environment, trivialising the experience as such luxuries tend to do.
That's just my opinion and shouldn't take away from what is a fine report and doubtless a great experience. Just not for me.
I recommend a good dose of west coast bush now that you're back in the PNW to purge such luxuries from your mind :-)
I hadn't thought of it that way but you have a good point. Our local style is certainly more of a wilderness experience. As far as purging goes, I climbed two 6000 foot wilderness peaks this weekend. The one on Saturday required a 1.5 hour approach by motor-boat. The one of Sunday was a matter of very steep mud and brush. So I've been exercised of the demons.
Martin, you live in a place where people never lived in the mountains though. These alpine regions had villages/transhumance for thousands of years, so they aren't going to see the same dichotomy as you.
One consequence of this is that alpine villages look well integrated with the landscape, they aren't an "eyesore." In North America we've learned that development always equals ugliness and ruin. In Europe, the bench, the hut, the summit cross...they really do fit. That said, you won't find me sticking up for the universal ugliness of ski areas :-(.
Really interesting topic anyway. I find as an American that I use the mountains here differently. I seek the kind of big hard days I got in the U.S., and that leads me to make trips that folks over here would balk at. One side effect is that the mountains are almost as lonely as the Cascades (really). Up at dawn, out at dark...you are on a different shift.
Finally...truth be told...I don't miss the brush ONE BIT! :D
The encounters between Greece and Turkey was a common story that was repeated several times during the trip. It must have been an interesting time to be there. Thanks!
I can remember Mitikas peak through skala as my first ascent ever, wearing a pair of worn out sneakers, not knowing really what i was doing. Same route, same refuge, same appetite afterwards! A very enjoyable and accurate report.
Mytikas was your first ascent? That's an awesome way to start. The funny thing is that I also made the scramble with inappropriate footwear. I didn't want to carry boots during the rest of the trip.
I'm glad to hear it. I've gotten a lot of inspiration from other people's trip reports and photos here on SummitPost. It's nice to be able to give back. Mytikas is worth the trip. Go get it!
Nice article about a great place! Looks like great scrambling. I've 'hiked' on the other Mt. Olympus on the Greek side of Cyprus in the Troodos mountains, though that one is only a rounded dome of a hill (1952m) that is heavily wooded and great for mt.biking, skiing, and watching the annual World Rally Car Championships!
you had luck for that weather :). Im going there next week and hope to be so lucky also, it doesnt look good what I can see for now on free meteo :(. Nice to find this TR for having an idea about the route to Mytikas, well I want to descend from there and go up through Louki colouir :). Great TR :)! Andreea
I wish you a very special climb and I hope that the weather cooperates with you so you can have dry rock to scramble on. Please tell me afterward so I can know how it went.
Adam
gimpilator - Jun 14, 2010 1:46 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: yeah its niceIt's a great surprise when you intend to do a route solo and have the joy of joining forces with some other friendly climbers.
Joerg Marretsch - Jun 13, 2010 9:14 am - Voted 10/10
Good trip report !I make the same trip on 6th/7th June this year. Make the same experience like you with false information of mountain conditions. I had the same mountain condition like you one week before. It was my 23. country highpoint in Europe (ad two country highpoints out of Europe).
gimpilator - Jun 14, 2010 3:06 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Good trip report !Thank you and congratulations! 25 country highpoints is an awesome accomplishment.
mvs - Jun 13, 2010 10:20 am - Voted 10/10
Really niceThat was a fun read, thanks for the lavish photo treatment! Over the years I've learned that information from official sources is always conservative to the point of uselessness. Great idea to head out while you had the weather window. You are truly from the Cascades...you know that you just don't waste blue sky!
gimpilator - Jun 15, 2010 1:37 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Really niceThank you. And that's right. The conditions around here have taught me that if you have an opportunity, you better take it.
vancouver islander - Jun 13, 2010 12:49 pm - Voted 10/10
Great report - super picturesThanks for sharing Adam. None of your usual excellent panos though?
One thing I can't agree with though. Your statement "Europian (European) climbing culture is so far advanced in comparison".
I'd have to say that their culture is impure rather than advanced. IMHO restaurants, comfortable refuges and the like have no place in the mountain environment, trivialising the experience as such luxuries tend to do.
That's just my opinion and shouldn't take away from what is a fine report and doubtless a great experience. Just not for me.
I recommend a good dose of west coast bush now that you're back in the PNW to purge such luxuries from your mind :-)
Cheers, Martin
lcarreau - Jun 13, 2010 8:35 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Great report - super picturesAdam truly did an awesome job ..
I had the opportunity to fly into Vancouver last month, on our
way back from the Philippines.
Snapped a photo (from the plane) while flying over Vancouver Island. Was very impressed with the topography of the area.
Here it is.
gimpilator - Jun 15, 2010 1:49 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great report - super picturesMartin,
I hadn't thought of it that way but you have a good point. Our local style is certainly more of a wilderness experience. As far as purging goes, I climbed two 6000 foot wilderness peaks this weekend. The one on Saturday required a 1.5 hour approach by motor-boat. The one of Sunday was a matter of very steep mud and brush. So I've been exercised of the demons.
mvs - Jun 15, 2010 3:14 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Great report - super picturesMartin, you live in a place where people never lived in the mountains though. These alpine regions had villages/transhumance for thousands of years, so they aren't going to see the same dichotomy as you.
One consequence of this is that alpine villages look well integrated with the landscape, they aren't an "eyesore." In North America we've learned that development always equals ugliness and ruin. In Europe, the bench, the hut, the summit cross...they really do fit. That said, you won't find me sticking up for the universal ugliness of ski areas :-(.
Really interesting topic anyway. I find as an American that I use the mountains here differently. I seek the kind of big hard days I got in the U.S., and that leads me to make trips that folks over here would balk at. One side effect is that the mountains are almost as lonely as the Cascades (really). Up at dawn, out at dark...you are on a different shift.
Finally...truth be told...I don't miss the brush ONE BIT! :D
lcarreau - Jun 13, 2010 8:27 pm - Voted 10/10
Sounds Greek to me!Congrats on all your accomplishments.
Back in my seafaring days, we visited Greece. That's when they
were having "words" with Turkey.
I think some "Greece" got on the turkey !!!
Anyway, the common folks were so FUN-loving in Greece. Neat place!
gimpilator - Jun 15, 2010 1:54 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Sounds Greek to me!The encounters between Greece and Turkey was a common story that was repeated several times during the trip. It must have been an interesting time to be there. Thanks!
theodorep - Jun 14, 2010 2:43 pm - Voted 9/10
Funny and enjoyable!I can remember Mitikas peak through skala as my first ascent ever, wearing a pair of worn out sneakers, not knowing really what i was doing. Same route, same refuge, same appetite afterwards! A very enjoyable and accurate report.
gimpilator - Jun 15, 2010 1:58 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Funny and enjoyable!Mytikas was your first ascent? That's an awesome way to start. The funny thing is that I also made the scramble with inappropriate footwear. I didn't want to carry boots during the rest of the trip.
eza - Jun 15, 2010 9:34 am - Voted 10/10
Good reportThanks for sharing your experience, Adam. I've always thought I'd like to have a go at that massif, and your story has reinforced my intentions
gimpilator - Jun 15, 2010 2:03 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Good reportI'm glad to hear it. I've gotten a lot of inspiration from other people's trip reports and photos here on SummitPost. It's nice to be able to give back. Mytikas is worth the trip. Go get it!
Deltakyp - Jun 16, 2010 7:32 am - Hasn't voted
The other OlympusNice article about a great place! Looks like great scrambling. I've 'hiked' on the other Mt. Olympus on the Greek side of Cyprus in the Troodos mountains, though that one is only a rounded dome of a hill (1952m) that is heavily wooded and great for mt.biking, skiing, and watching the annual World Rally Car Championships!
gimpilator - Jun 19, 2010 2:42 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: The other OlympusThank you. I didn't know there was another Olympus in Greece. We have one here in Washington too. It's the highest peak in the Olympic Range.
rgg - Nov 23, 2010 11:07 am - Voted 10/10
Nice!Reading about your adventures sure brougt back memories. Doing all that in one day is quite fast!
andreeacorodeanu - Jun 2, 2012 10:47 am - Voted 10/10
Awesome,you had luck for that weather :). Im going there next week and hope to be so lucky also, it doesnt look good what I can see for now on free meteo :(. Nice to find this TR for having an idea about the route to Mytikas, well I want to descend from there and go up through Louki colouir :). Great TR :)! Andreea
gimpilator - Jun 4, 2012 12:14 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Awesome,Andreea,
I wish you a very special climb and I hope that the weather cooperates with you so you can have dry rock to scramble on. Please tell me afterward so I can know how it went.
Adam