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1688 Hits
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71.99% Score
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3 Votes
Page Type:
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Mountain/Rock |
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Lat/Lon:
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37.61934°N / 22.51447°E |
GPX File:
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Download GPX » View Route on Map |
Activities:
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Mountaineering |
Season:
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Fall |
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Elevation:
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5804 ft / 1769 m |
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Overview
The mountain Artemisio is a rocky peak situated between Arkadia and Argolida in Peloponnese. The amazing rocky formation of the peak rising at 1769m offers amazing views of every mountain in the Peloponnese including Zhreia and Taygetos, the Aegean sea and even Dirfis on a clear day. With multiple trails and rich ancient history, it becomes apparent that this peak is an important beauty of nature. Even if you like technical or easy summits, low or high this peak has you covered. Being a part of the Artemisio mountain range one of the most rugged low alt ranges in Greece and also one of the most amazing in the Peloponnese. Sadly there isn't the ability to ski or snowboard from the summit but being only 1:4h away from Athens there isn't a downside to this mountain.
Getting There
Getting there, getting where? As you will see below there are two ways to get routes to the summit. It is more reasonable to have a 4X4 vehicle to spare some milage and don't waste your time with road hikes.
Karua
Karua is a village only 140km away from athens centre and the starting point of the 34 RED but also the way to the trail head. It takes about 1:50h to get there but that isn't the whole way up. The trail head starts at (37.637121, 22.528464) and is 143km away and 1:56h; using google maps here is how to get there (https://goo.gl/maps/ZqwugHdpUnx)From there you can park at the road side if you don't own a 4X4 or drive the dirt road until the trail head.Nestanh
This is the start of the other longer trail to the summit. 150km away and 1:42h from athens it is rather a faster drive but a longer hike, here are the directions(https://goo.gl/maps/eA8jXsCcr9E2)
My Trip
We followed the STD S trail head although wanting to take the north route we followed the signs to the north ridge. Being to far to turn back we continued and reached the breakpoint at 1h into the climb. Pausing for 10min eating kit-kat and chilling a companied by the amazing views we continued. At this point it was 11:00am. Continuing up sector two we reached the "death zone", the hard traverses of the climb. Making the 1h climb in about 40min, enjoying the snow and views on the perfect december morning we reached the summit at 11:50 am, YAY
Enjoyed the amazing panoramic views of all the high peaks of the Peloponnese and headed down reaching the breakpoint at 12:20 pm and at the car at 13:00 pm
The perfect weather, no wind and amazing clarity made the climb enjoyable and amazing.
My kit:
- Light dakine heli pack
- 500ml water bottle
- wool beanie
- alpine gloves
- ski mask
- sunglasses
- Dual-layer alpine jacket
- North face light climbing pants
- Mc Kinley heavy snow boots
- Blizzard hiking poles
- Wide-angle action camera
- cell phone (obv)
- power bank
- ski socks
Route
There are multiple routes that summit the mountain (3 to be exact) that vary in grade and length, I used only one but I have some details of all of them
This is the most standard route to the summit, a well marked and well mentained trail that is frequently used and has easy accsess. This trail starts at the end of the dirt road that operates as an accsess point to the trail heads (37.622955, 22.522437) and runs for 2.7km to the summit. It has very differing terrain and bizzare ups-and-downs, in short it has a elevation gain of 550m and takes about 2h to summit.The trail can be broken into two main parts, the forest and the summit; each are about 1h but feature different terrain and conditions. The best spot to take a break between sections is the view point at (37.616109, 22.515607) that has amazing views and is very good for a 10min chill.The forest section: This is a rather easy and fast section crossing 1.5km of forest, with really small danger and small height gainas such that the break spot at (37.616109, 22.515607) is at 1510m, the gain being around 250m; an easy way to gain your altitude under the shade of the trees with amazing views of the sea.Summit Section: This section is the hard part of the trail, having very big elevation gain and verticality as well as exposed terrain, rock fall, avalache danger and fall danger. This section meets with a route that i will talk about next at the break spot and is about 1h gains 300m and runs for about 1.2km. The danger will become aparent after the first few meters as the trail runs across the exposed rock face at 1600m, and offers stunning views but also offers some amazing oportunities to fall to your death. The trail as some very rough terrain and small rocks that can roll you off balance; wtch your step and dont linger to much around steep spots.General Info: It runs with the north trail for about 150m before it snaps off and takes its own path. It is maily colored with bright red and lime and is number coded with 34 RED. Since there is a trail running event there is very good markings and trail design making this hike a basic but hard path.STANDARD NORTH EASY
This was unfortunately what i intedeed to climb but i followed the bright colors of the trail above. I do not have any info for this path but here is some basic usefull info. It follows the same path with STD S for 150m and breaks off at (37.622591, 22.520385) and continues forward not right with low red paint. It seems to be easier and take advantage of the north ridge to summit the mountain.
NESTANH LONG HARD
This route is the longest and most day-trip like from the above, starting from the village of nestanh (37.613924, 22.465760) and climbing the mountain for 5h. The trail meets with STD S at the break point (37.616109, 22.515607) and continues with it. It is still marked with 34 RED and well preserved.
Useful Coordinates
- Break spot (37.616109, 22.515607)
- The pit (37.616449, 22.515078)
- Trail Head (37.622927, 22.522877)
When to Climb
I had the chance to climb it in early December with almost no snow and perfect wind conditions; this matter since all the routes have high alt scrambling in exposed faces. According to some websites and my personal experience with the face, it is important to gear up for a winter ascent and probably use ropes and ice screws. It is rather best to climb when there isn't any snow.
Weather
Since this mountain is located at a very open position away from high mountains to the east and close to high mountains to the north makes this a summit with unpredictable weather. here you can see the weather for the village bellow. Just kinda guess how the weather will be. If there is SE winds do not summit (if the wind speeds are high) neither if there was a storm due to the rocky (rockfall dangerous) nature of the mountain.
Camping
You can camp in the mountain tho it is not recommended. There isn't any 'safe' space to camp and only exposed windy spots on the summit but you can camp inside a very deep hole in the ground just above the break spot. Although still not recommended. Also do not start a fire on the mountain under no circumstances.What to pack
Since this is Greece I won't be talking about high end -40C stuff but rather what to pack to hike light and fast.
Pack weather related clothing such as lycra or jaket, pack sunglasses, water (a lot), a light pack, battons, very good boots.
Warm clothing (parka etc.), ski mask/sunglasses, water, crampons, ice axe/piolet, ice bolts, ropes.
- Wind protective clothing
- water (750ml - 1lt)
- backpack
- battons/piolet
- hiking boots (not trails shoes)
- food
Altitude inconsistencies
So this and many more mountains in Greece have a HUGE problem, they aren't measured correctly. The altitude shown above is taken using my cell phone Samsung S4 and the software viewranger and it showed 1769m on the top when placed on the summit marker. Usually, the summit is said to be 1772m by peak bagger, 1771m by http://hikingexperience.gr/ but the open street map topo map shows an altitude of 1726m. The mountain is around 1770m so yeah, don't fully trust topo maps in Greece.
Useful phone numbers
Well if sadly something goes to shit you will need support so here are some phones to help if something goes really really wrong.
Greek Search and Rescue: +30 210 4112500
Greek police: 100
Greek Fire service: 199
Photos
