Kalymnos

Posted: July 11th, 2007 | Author: | Filed under: climbing | 8 Comments »

kalymnos

I’m turning 30 on the 19th of August and Camilla told me a few months back to reserve the week before that for a surprise trip somewhere. Naturally I got curious and wanted to know where we were going but she wouldn’t tell me anything. Not even give a hint of what kind of trip it would be.

Yesterday she told me and we’re going to Kalymnos in Greece for a week! Weee! The climbing there is supposed to be brilliant and spectacular and for the rest days we live right next to the beach. This is going to be perfect! It’s just what I need after all the rain so far this summer.

The reason I got to know about the trip quite a while before the departure is that we need to buy some new equipment:

  • A 70 or 80 meters rope. We only have a 60 m rope and even though it would work in most cases quite a few of the newer routes are made for 70 (or in some cases 80) meter ropes.
  • A few more quickdraws. We have 12 right now and I’ve read that it’s suggested to have at least 16 for the longer routes. (That just shows how well protected and bolted the routes are on Kalymnos.)
  • I need new climbing shoes. My feet wouldn’t survive a week in my 5.10 Anasazi lace-up shoes. I need another pair of shoes so I can switch around.
I also need to prepare mentally and physically for the trip. Hopefully I can lose a kilo or two before we leave. We should also do some research and planning for what routes to climb on which days. I think we’ll be smarter than we were in Spain and schedule rest days in advance and not wait for the rainy days (which might not come). Route suggestions are very welcome!

This is going to be the third trip abroad this year that involves climbing. I hope that sets the standard for the future!

8 Comments on “Kalymnos”

  1. 1 Michael said at 7:49 on July 12th, 2007:

    I subscribe to Kalymnos alerts having grown up there and I smile as I read this…I have n’t been back for 7 yrs…enjoy the holiday in paradise :)

  2. 2 Joakim said at 11:12 on July 13th, 2007:

    I’m sure I’ll enjoy it! Thanks :)

  3. 3 David said at 17:23 on July 15th, 2007:

    Cool! Kalymnos is really awsome. Nice, well protected sport routes everywhere in all grades. Are you staying in Massouri? Grande-grotta just above this village is a must see, it’s spectacular! When I was there it was way beyond me to climb it, but next time I will! Beware that it can be really hot in august and don’t burn your skin like we managed to. So keep in the shade! Which makes for some planing which sectors to go to for shade (so no sleeping in! :-) ) Have a nice trip!

  4. 4 Joakim said at 13:16 on July 16th, 2007:

    Yeah, we’re staying in Massouri. So I guess it’s about walking distance to most of the climbing? Or did you rent bikes/scooters?

    Climbing in Grande-grotta is a must! Unfortunately the huge stalactite on the Trelle route broke earlier this spring: http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=248924

    Which is a shame but that route might anyway have been a bit too hard for me…

  5. 5 David said at 15:40 on July 17th, 2007:

    Nope, we never rented scooters. There is lots of climbing in walking distance from the village. But for some of the sectors you need a scooter.

  6. 6 Mille said at 16:02 on July 17th, 2007:

    I hope too we will get a great holiday! The climbing looks great in all pictures. But it was hard keeping it a secret from Jocke!

  7. 7 Redpointed my first 7- (6c) route said at 13:00 on August 8th, 2007:

    [...] Seems like I’m in good shape for the trip to Kalymnos! [...]

  8. 8 Kalymnos summary said at 1:00 on August 24th, 2007:

    [...] Our trip to Kalymnos, Greece was totally awesome! The weather was great, every day we woke up to a clear blue sky and a warming sun. One of the days we got a bit of clouds around lunch time but that was a climbing day so we didn’t mind. [...]

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