Kirsten and I went on a climbing trip to Greece with some friends in January 2023. We had just over two weeks for the whole trip, and we spent a few days in Athens before driving down the coast to Leonidio.
The first leg of our trip was getting from Custer to Athens and then spending several days adjusting to the Greek life and exploring Athens.
Boarding the plane to Amsterdam after having to sprint across MSP to make our tight connection. After getting to our AirBNB in Athens the jetlag hit Brandon hard (though maybe that was the beer)Checking out the Acropolis, specifically the Theatre of Dionysus. Pic by KikiKirsten and I in front of the Temple of Hephaestus in the Ancient AgoraLooking up at the Acropolis at night. Pic by KikiEnjoying dinner on NYE in AthensNYE fireworks over the Acropolis, view from our patioGreeks go all out for the 12 days of Christmas, here we’re on a busy street filled with lights and decorations.Everyone waiting for the train to go pick up our rental cars, no shortage of gear. Pic by Ben
After a few days in Athens we loaded up our rental car and drove down the coast to Leonidio. Once there we spent the whole time climbing at different cliffs and eating dinner at different places. While Greece may not be known for their wine we certainly enjoyed plenty of it.
Our tiny rental car, a Toyota Aygo. It was like driving a golf cart around, but very convenient for the tiny streets of LeonidioThe view driving down to the coastLeonidio and the rocks above townHiking up to the base of the cliff. Most approaches looked similar to this with the valleys full of olive and orange farms. Pic by BenOur first day of climbing at a cliff called Mars, busy day! Plenty of no-hands rests available if you can stretch far enoughTook a day to go explore the beach, the water was a little chilly but refreshing Even though it was cool (maybe 40F on this day) it was much warmer than is typical for January, and we were able to climb at higher elevations like this cliff, Elona. At the base of this cliff is a monastery built right into the rock. Doug high up on Kneebaropolis at sunsetOur favorite restaurant was a pizza and pasta spot in an old stone building from the 1800s. No pictures of the food because cameras were usually forgotten by the time the wine and pizza were brought out Brandon climbing right above the sea at a cliff called the Hideout. Pic by Ben Climbing steep stalactites calls for some creative body positions, here’s me working a route at a cliff called HADA. Pic by KikiKirsten enjoying a honey and sesame seed bar, making sure to get that good climbing fuel Another evening at our fav pizza spot. Pic by BenWarming up high above townThursday’s were Hawaiian shirt days, we certainly didn’t stand out as tourists with these onOur last day of climbing with our trusted tiny car, we managed to fit 5 adults with 5 climbing packs on the drive back to town (luckily it was all downhill)Kirsten and I wrapped up our trip with dinner at Michilen star restaurant Yamazato during our overnight layover in Amsterdam.
