4:45 AM my alarm went off. Rolling out of the bunk I clicked on my headlamp, grabbed my disorganised kit and made my way through the dark refuge to the dining room to eat something resembling breakfast and put my gear in order. As I was running through my morning preparations, one by one, my […]
We set forth from the pension in Litochoro. Our first stop was 55 Peaks an outfitter just off the town’s center roundabout. I had questions about Olympus and wanted a difficulty gauge from a local who had some experience on the mountain. I spoke with the proprietor who gave me more information and time than […]
Mt. Olympus, 2918M or 9573 Ft tall, the tallest mountain in Greece, the tallest mountain I have ever attempted to climb. Somehow I found myself leading an expedition of my predominantly ill prepared malaka friends; Sam Chris and Rick to the summit. The hike up Olympus was part of a larger trip through Greece and […]
Happy Independence Day! Nothing like celebrating the birth of the Unites States by waking up to the barking of dogs, in a mountain hut, surrounded by Czechs, next to a dead donkey. Needless to say there was no general revelry. I ate a cold breakfast of protein bars to save time, I had 30 Km […]
Upon waking up I made my way to the common room. I reorganized my pack and ordered a breakfast. The breakfast was coffee, a hearty stack of bread and spreadables. Once finished I stepped out into the chilly morning, fought my way through the heard of donkeys at the base of the stairs and began […]
After recovering from my harrowing fall I climbed back up to the trail and finished crossing the snow field without incident. The remainder of the days hike passed rather uneventfully other than the views. Passing through valleys filled with dark green grass, rushing mountain streams, and cascading waterfalls. I pushed on toward Podragu Cabana. Cresting […]
The Romanians and I awoke at 5:00 Am. Or rather the Romanians awoke a 5:00 Am and pulled me along with them. We made coffee and breakfast. Packed up our gear and stepped out into the crisp mountain air garnished with a touch of the evenings fog. One last request was made of me, they […]
The storm was over. I woke up soaking wet but suprisingly warm. The tent/sleeping bag combination somehow worked to get me through the night. I dropped off the bunk, slid back into my wet hiking clothes and soggily stuffed my sleeping bag and tent back in my pack. My breakfast of instant oatmeal and instant […]
The weather was still bad. I could hear the windows of the hut rattling in their frames and the rain was drumming out a tinny tattoo on the metal roof. I dragged my slightly aching body out of bed and descended to the huts common room. I asked our host what the weather was looking […]
Like any good story set in Romania. This one starts at a train station at the base of the mountains. Having lept deftly from the slowly rolling train I found myself facing the Podu Olt station. After scrambling across the other three rail lines in the station yard I found safe footing on the cracked […]
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