News from Mont Olympus

2010-06-01 : Synopsis. Winter 2010

The winter season is coming to an end in the Mountain of Gods, with spring conditions characterizing the lower and middle parts of the mountain, whereas winter conditions still exist on the upper mountain. A few days ago, on the upper mountain there was fresh snow while flowers blossom in the temperate zone between 600 and 1800 meters of elevation.
From a climate standpoint, the winter season was characterised by generally warm and wet conditions. Such conditions resulted in increased snow accumulations above 1800m of elevation, where in the lower parts there was relatively rapid meltdown of the snow especially in the south and west slopes in the weeks following each snowfall event, a result of the frequent southerly winds. In addition, southerly winds carried increased amounts of African dust, the subsequent deposition of the dust on the snow gave the mountain a colourful winter look. In between the warm events there were interventing cold outbursts from Siberia, creating identical conditions for climbing on the upper mountain. The temperature variations risen from the succession between dry / cold and wet / warm events resulted in increased avalanche and landslide activity.

The plateau of Muses in winter coating.

The abrupt temperature variations resulted in increased mountaineering activity on the mountain, since the snowpack in the lower parts had either melted down or was hard packed, whereas on the higher mountain conditions were identical for skiing and climbing. With such conditions more that 120 made it to the summit of Mytikas from both the Louki (route from the Plateau of Muses) and from Skala.

Climbing the Coloir of Mytikas, in perfect conditions.

Winter climbing and ski mountaineering activity were increased this winter as well. Many different routes were repeated on the north faces of Stefani, Skolio and Mytikas. Ski touring indicates also increasing activity with the most popular side being the west slopes of the mountain (starting poing the Military Camp from Elassona side) but a few teams also visited the Plateau of Muses skiing down steep slopes.
The most remarkable ski descent took place in the beginning of April when Austrian extreme skier Eva Walkner (www.evawalkner.com) together with fellow Austrian skier and base jumper Andy Razic, and George Klaoudatos skied down the coloir of Stefani together with some steep runs below the Throne of Zeus (Stefani). It seems that during every winter season more people are visiting the mountains high peaks, more people come to climb winter alpine routes and more people come either to ski tour or to ski down Mount Olympus Steep slopes!

One of the latest attempts to climb on the north face of Skolio.

Enjoying the view.

Eva Walkner skiing down Stefani coloir (photo � Ruedi Flueck)

Wishes for a fine summer with plenty and safe climbs!
MS

2010-05-27 : Refuge summer season starts on May 22nd

The refuge is dialy open from June 2nd for the summer season of 2010. For reservatrions please contact with Mike Styllas, Tel +306937361689 or mstyllas @ olympus-climbing.gr

Mike Styllas

2008-11-21 : Winter open of "Christos Kakalos" refuge

The refuge will be open from 15th December 2008. For more information and reservations, please contact:

Mr. Mihalis Stillas
mobile: 0030 6937 361 689
email: mstyllas@gmail.com

2008-11-19 : The expedition to Makalu has been completed

Despite of his successful initial preparation for climbing Makalu peak, the ascent was stopped. When Mihalis went from ABC to C2 (second camp at 6600m), he met a terrible scenery: his tent had collapsed from the storm, weather conditions were severe and there was constant wind of 40km/h. After he hardly found and collected the camp's equipment, he turned way down to ABC camp. Next day he descended to base camp where he met Marco, Steve and Vincent. Tomorrow on the 7th November 2008, all three of them are heading back to the village, a long return as the approach takes at least 4 days. As soon as we have more details from his trip, we will inform you!

2008-09-05 : The refuge will be open

The refuge Christos Kakalos will be open until the end of October. In order to make registrations, please contact with the refuge's manager Mike Stylla in the phone number +30 6937361689.

Contact: Mike Styllas, Tel +306937361689, mstyllas @ olympus-climbing.gr

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News from Mont Olympus

2010-06-01 : Synopsis. Winter 2010
The winter season is coming to an end in the Mountain of Gods, with spring conditions characterizing the lower and middle parts of the mountain, whereas winter conditions still exist on the upper mountain. A few days ago, on the upper mountain there was fresh snow while flowers blossom in the temperate zone between 600 and 1800 meters of elevation. From a climate standpoint, the winter season was characterised by generally warm and wet conditions. Such conditions resulted in increased snow accumulations above 1800m of elevation, where in the lower parts there was relatively rapid meltdown of the snow especially in the south and west slopes in the weeks following each snowfall event, a result of the frequent southerly winds. In addition, southerly winds carried increased amounts of African dust, the subsequent deposition of the dust on the snow gave the mountain a colourful winter look. In between the warm events there were interventing cold outbursts from Siberia, creating identical conditions for climbing on the upper mountain. The temperature variations risen from the succession between dry / cold and wet / warm events resulted in increased avalanche and landslide activity. The plateau of Muses in winter coating. The abrupt temperature variations resulted in increased mountaineering activity on the mountain, since the snowpack in the lower parts had either melted down or was hard packed, whereas on the higher mountain conditions were identical for skiing and climbing. With such conditions more that 120 made it to the summit of Mytikas from both the Louki (route from the Plateau of Muses) and from Skala. Climbing the Coloir of Mytikas, in perfect conditions. Winter climbing and ski mountaineering activity were increased this winter as well. Many different routes were repeated on the north faces of Stefani, Skolio and Mytikas. Ski touring indicates also increasing activity with the most popular side being the west slopes of the mountain (starting poing the Military Camp from Elassona side) but a few teams also visited the Plateau of Muses skiing down steep slopes. The most remarkable ski descent took place in the beginning of April when Austrian extreme skier Eva Walkner (www.evawalkner.com) together with fellow Austrian skier and base jumper Andy Razic, and George Klaoudatos skied down the coloir of Stefani together with some steep runs below the Throne of Zeus (Stefani). It seems that during every winter season more people are visiting the mountains high peaks, more people come to climb winter alpine routes and more people come either to ski tour or to ski down Mount Olympus Steep slopes! One of the latest attempts to climb on the north face of Skolio. Enjoying the view. Eva Walkner skiing down Stefani coloir (photo � Ruedi Flueck) Wishes for a fine summer with plenty and safe climbs! MS

2010-05-27 : Refuge summer season starts on May 22nd
The refuge is dialy open from June 2nd for the summer season of 2010. For reservatrions please contact with Mike Styllas, Tel +306937361689 or mstyllas @ olympus-climbing.gr Mike Styllas

2008-11-21 : Winter open of "Christos Kakalos" refuge
The refuge will be open from 15th December 2008. For more information and reservations, please contact: Mr. Mihalis Stillas mobile: 0030 6937 361 689 email: mstyllas@gmail.com

2008-11-19 : The expedition to Makalu has been completed
Despite of his successful initial preparation for climbing Makalu peak, the ascent was stopped. When Mihalis went from ABC to C2 (second camp at 6600m), he met a terrible scenery: his tent had collapsed from the storm, weather conditions were severe and there was constant wind of 40km/h. After he hardly found and collected the camp's equipment, he turned way down to ABC camp. Next day he descended to base camp where he met Marco, Steve and Vincent. Tomorrow on the 7th November 2008, all three of them are heading back to the village, a long return as the approach takes at least 4 days. As soon as we have more details from his trip, we will inform you!

2008-09-05 : The refuge will be open
The refuge Christos Kakalos will be open until the end of October. In order to make registrations, please contact with the refuge's manager Mike Stylla in the phone number +30 6937361689.