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Kalymnos

Kalymnos

Wednesday 26th of September to Wednesday 10th of October, 2018.

Jeff B leading Phineas, 5c, 3 stars at Symplegades, Dennis belaying. Credit JFH.

Eleven go to Kalymnos

t was great to have so many members engaging in our ad hoc meet in Kalymnos this year and also to hear the enthusiasm for the trip and pledges made for a return trip. Though eleven members attended it was a flexible event with some travelling from Glasgow and Edinburgh and some staying one week or two as well as different accommodation being sampled. The island trip offers such choice and also has plenty to entertain non climbers with swimming, snorkelling and a ten day Kalymnos walking trail around the island where sections can be sampled independently.

 

This year as well as the usual climbing Jeff and Wendy sampled the island’s Via Ferrara which proved a worthwhile experience and opened up tremendous views out towards Telendos as well as allowing a traverse of a very high cave. The climbing festival overlapped with our stay which allowed some to take the chance of T shirts, water bottles, sun hats and a day boat trip to a neighbouring island for the small sum of 10 Euros. John and Wendy snorkelled and saw pipe fish and the sponges the island is famous for. An excursion was made by Jeff, Julia and Wendy to see Sikati Cave, an unusual natural and intriguing feature on the landscape. Star gazing was also appreciated that evening. Catherine and Kenny introduced us to the apres climb activities of pool, table football and darts! Jeff and Wendy also had an afternoon of site seeing taking in the peninsula of Telendos with its secret beach, the autumn flowering colchicum, the early Christian Bassilica and the beautifully positioned chapel on the rocks.

As for climbing well there was plenty of that too! And with the many crags and routes available new venues were visited and appreciated. Excursions were made to School, Afternoon, Geriakos, Ghost Kitchen, Symplegades, Lamda, Pallionissos Bay, Black Bhudda, Summertime and Belgian Chocolates. All of the fore mentioned being some of the elaborately named crags of the island. Climbing was enjoyed at all levels, from 4a to 7a, thanks to Graham Nicol doing the club proud and achieving this!

Tina must be congratulated firstly for being brave enough to decide to come with only a few days notice and also from graduating from novice to tackling her first leads in one week. Catherine and Kenny were delighted to complete their first 6B’s. Kenny also enjoyed his first multi pitch with Jeff and Wendy and the expression at the top was priceless. As said the climbing on Kalymnos allows for everyone personally to be challenged at their individual level and achieve the satisfaction that comes with it! A highlight was climbing a 6a route called Stars on Stage which though extremely intimidating on first sight proves to be a fantastic and varied route. It is not just the grades but the variety of rock and climbing styles required to complete routes that makes Kalymnos a place to draw you back.

And socialising well there was plenty of that too with the beautiful Greek food, fresh yoghurt, catch of the day, colourful salads washed down with Mykenos beer and red wine!

So come along next year folks and enjoy!

Other photographs from the meet:

Kalymnos 2018 1Kalymnos 2018 2Kalymnos 2018 3Kalymnos 2018 4Kalymnos 2018 5Kalymnos 2018 6Kalymnos 2018 7Kalymnos 2018 8Jeff B leading Phineas, 5c, 3 stars at Symplegades, Dennis belaying.  Credit JFH.