Two more days of climbing...
We had a break from climbing on Sunday, but yesterday we got two sessions in and today we got one further session in before we take another rest day tomorrow. Yesterday's first session was in the morning shade, at the Poets Sector, which sits behind the Climbers Nest in Armeos, and then, once the sun had disappeared behind Telendos, we heading back up to the Afternoon Sector of the Grande Grotta for a quick climb whilst the sun dropped below the horizon.
A climber on Omero (F6c+).
Getting a rest on Styx (F6a+).
The evening sun sets behind Telendos.
Then today we headed up to the Odyssey Sector, which is the birth place of Kalymnos climbing; the first routes were put up here almost ten years ago and you could tell that this was the oldest climbing venue on the island. Many of the holds were suffering from overuse and as a result many were highly polished, which made the climbing extremely difficult at times.
The transport of choice for the visiting climber, with the Odyssey Sector behind.
Making the crux move into the niche of Poly Retsina No Good (F6a+).
However, during these two days, and the two that went before, clear patterns have emerged as to the ways of the visiting climber on Kalymnos. Every climber takes at least three pairs of footwear up to the crag. Obviously one of these is to climb in, but there are also pairs to wear at the base of the crag. These are usually flip flops or similar as they give the climber's feet chance to cool down after being stuffed into overly tight climbing shoes for twenty or so minutes, and then the third pair are usually designed for the steep, rough and dusty approaches to and from the crag. These are unceremoniously chucked into a rucksack as soon as the first route for the day is reached.
This is one thing which I have adopted. I have also become use to the act of queueing for a climb. In the UK this is very rare, even for the most popular of crags, but on Kalymnos all of the crags seem to be popular and thus queueing is an accepted part of the climbing. It does have its benefits if I am being honest; it forces you to rest properly in between climbs.
One thing which I have not adopted, but many climbers have, is the use of the moped to reach the crag. I have decided that the much safer option is to walk from the hotel to the crag, and this at worst could take an hour, but at least I don't risk life and limb in the crazy Kalymnos traffic each time I head out climbing.
More pictures of the holiday can be seen here.
A climber on Omero (F6c+).Getting a rest on Styx (F6a+).The evening sun sets behind Telendos.Then today we headed up to the Odyssey Sector, which is the birth place of Kalymnos climbing; the first routes were put up here almost ten years ago and you could tell that this was the oldest climbing venue on the island. Many of the holds were suffering from overuse and as a result many were highly polished, which made the climbing extremely difficult at times.
The transport of choice for the visiting climber, with the Odyssey Sector behind.Making the crux move into the niche of Poly Retsina No Good (F6a+).However, during these two days, and the two that went before, clear patterns have emerged as to the ways of the visiting climber on Kalymnos. Every climber takes at least three pairs of footwear up to the crag. Obviously one of these is to climb in, but there are also pairs to wear at the base of the crag. These are usually flip flops or similar as they give the climber's feet chance to cool down after being stuffed into overly tight climbing shoes for twenty or so minutes, and then the third pair are usually designed for the steep, rough and dusty approaches to and from the crag. These are unceremoniously chucked into a rucksack as soon as the first route for the day is reached.
This is one thing which I have adopted. I have also become use to the act of queueing for a climb. In the UK this is very rare, even for the most popular of crags, but on Kalymnos all of the crags seem to be popular and thus queueing is an accepted part of the climbing. It does have its benefits if I am being honest; it forces you to rest properly in between climbs.
One thing which I have not adopted, but many climbers have, is the use of the moped to reach the crag. I have decided that the much safer option is to walk from the hotel to the crag, and this at worst could take an hour, but at least I don't risk life and limb in the crazy Kalymnos traffic each time I head out climbing.
More pictures of the holiday can be seen here.
Good lines, stay safe and see you on the wet stuff...
Iain
No comments:
Post a Comment