 Poster: A snowHead
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A couple of plane mags recently have been writing that it is possible to walk and hike, rather than climb, to the top of Mount Olympus in Greece during the Summer.
It is under 3k meters and, in photos, it looks relatively unsteep at the peak.
Has anyone summited during the Summer? How easy was it? Is it worthwhile or pointless?
Thanks in advance.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Whitegold, I was going to say that there was actually a ski resort there, but it turns out I was thinking of Mount Parnassus... although there is a Mt. Olympus ski resort on Cyprus (& a somewhat more unexpected one in NZ!)
However, I did find this on a bird-watching site (I left the bird bit in because they sound rather nice  )
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Mount Olympus:
Great walk up to the summit from the car park. 10+ kilometres walk each way, fairly steep some places, but not too difficult. Bring plenty of drinking water and some biscuits/chocolate-bars, and there is a superb "café" (called refuge A in Gosney) halfway up that serves cold sodas and hot dinner.
We had Alpine Accentors from just above the café to the summit. Snowfinch was seen halfway between the café and summit, and Wallcreeper approximately 75-100 meters to the left of where the path ends, towards Skolio summit. The Lammergeiers that were seen here feeding, have been absent the last few years.
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Doesn't sound like it's any big deal at all if you're a climber, but it's probably a very enjoyable hike
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Whitegold, I've got pretty close in good weather in December, and only turned back because I ran out of food and no-one knew I was there. It's pretty straightforward and very beautiful and atmospheric.
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Thanks, guys. It all sounds fairly doable.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Whitegold,
I walked up it in 1994. I'd describe it as proper mountain walking with a little easy scrambling right at the top (need to use your hands but its not very steep or exposed). It's a lovely walk. On the standard route you first walk up a lovely wooded gorge and then wind your way up a mule track to a mountain hut. Most people stay a night there (great spot) before summiting and walking all the way down the next day. I had good weather on the first day but it was overcast on the second and I was in the cloud at the top. I can't remember any problems with route finding so it must be well marked. It's very popular and you'll see plenty of people. One caveat, at that point in my life I had recently done a fair bit of climbing and mountaineering as well as backpacking - I may remember it as more of a "stroll in the park" than I would think it was today (if you know what I mean).
I was interrailing on my own at the time and set off alone but ended-up walking most of the way with a French woman and two Canadian girls.
Well worth the trip if you are planning on being in Greece. Other places to consider if you fancy a sunny walking holiday with easy(ish) summits would be Pyrenees, Picos D'Europa (NW Spain) and Corsica. All recommended but I'd say Olympus is probably a little easier than comparable summits in Corsica and the Picos. Definitely busier and less wild.
Cheers,
J
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Jedster -- Great info. Thanks.
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