Winter ascent on Taygetos

Mar 1

On January 30, I joined the trainees of the P.O.A. mountaineering club on a winter ascent of Taygetos mountain. We climbed the classic route to the summit of Profitis Hlias, 2407m, starting from the refuge of Eos Spartis. Guided by the instructors Vaggelis Zekis and George Malamas we started hiking in the darkness and by sunrise we had already reached the alpine zone of the mountain. The rest of the ascent was in relatively good conditions except for the final push on the ridge where we faced strong winds. Unfortunately, we had no view from the summit, but the low visibility and snow spray made up a magical scenery.

Overall the ascent was rewarding with good snow quality (less exhausting!) and variable in terms of a winter landscape.

Taygetos is a mountain range located in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece. The highest peak of the range is Profitis Ilias, which stands at 2407 meters (7896 ft). The range stretches for about 60 km (37 miles) from west to east and is located near the cities of Sparta and Kalamata. The range is home to several unique species of plants and animals, and its steep cliffs, caves, and waterfalls make it an adventurer's paradise. The area is also known for its spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. The Taygetos range has been an important part of Greek culture since ancient times, and it is said to have been the place of the legendary Gate of Hades.