OLYMPUS: 2011-09

9/02/2011

3rd SUMMER CROSSING: LITOCHORO - ZILNIA - GORTSIA - BARBA - STRAGO - ANATHEMA - SKOURTA – MUSE PLATEAU - KOFTO - ZOLOTAS - PRIONIA - LITOCHORO

Another demanding alpine crossing of Olympus, with a length of 17 km. It starts from Litochoro, at an altitude of 300m, ascends an old, forgotten path that leads to the slopes of Zilnia (altitude 700m), crosses the tarmac road to Prionia, just before the junction of Gortsia (alt. 1,100m), enters the classic path to Petrostrouga, but leaves it at Stragos (alt. 1,900m), and through Anathema leads to the first major peak, Skourta (2,480 m). From there, through Lemos and the Giosos Pass arrives to the plateau of the Muses (Kakkalos refuge) at 2,650m.

This crossing includes not high summit of Olympus (except for the mandatory transition from Skourta). Still, nothing prevents you (always with the proper calculation of your available time) to add one to your itinerary, once you have studied the relevant references of my other crossings.

Then, it descends through a steep path at the Agapitos refuge (Zolotas) and from there, through the... street, it brings us to Prionia, where we must make a decision: either find transportation to get us to Litochoro though the asphalt road or walk our way down, though the Enipeas gorge.

From the central square of Litochoro, what we see, looking at the Enipeas gorge is the following; two huge rocky blocks have created an opening through which passes the river Enipeas, that crosses Litochoro before it meets the sea. The first phase of our journey (up to the cliffs of Zilnia) is, approximately, the engraved red line.

LITOCHORO – ZILNIA - GORTSIA JUNCTION (4 HOURS)

2nd SUMMER CROSSING

1st SUMMER CROSSING

ATTENTION TO THE INSTRUCTIONS

For safety and optimum hiking on Mount Olympus, do take seriously into consideration the following:

The routes discussed here, are particularly demanding and therefore, your physical condition must be above average. However, you can configure your own itinerary, according to your abilities in conjunction with the information in this blog.

Altitude or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is not a threat, as it usually occurs above 3,500 m.
All crossings include at least one night rest. In the first crossing, you will spend the night either at the emergency refuge of Agios Antonios, or in one of the two organized refuges of the Plateau of the Muses (if your physical condition permits you to get there in time) or, in a tent that you will bring with you, wherever the night finds you. In the second crossing (Nahum stream), you will spend the night on the plateau of the Muses (refuges or tent). In anycase, in every two-day trip, it is advisable to take your tent and sleeping bag with you.
You must always travel with company (at least two persons).
The ascent to Mytikas, Stephani and Kazania, the first part of the downhill of Goumarostavlos and the crossing of Giosos, require knowledge of climbing and tranquility. If you lack of these or suffer from vertigo, you can skip those parts of the route or get help from fixed ropes (there will be a separate description about them).
Make sure you travel in good weather conditions and avoid the cloudy days, unless you have loadedthe path in your GPS.
It goes without saying, that the ascent will take place at summer! During the winter, very deferent skills and materials are required. In the future, descriptions of winter ascents on Mount Olympus will be included!
In your mountaineering backpack (with a capacity of at least 50 liters), make sure you carry sufficient water (unfortunately, from 1,000 meters and above, Olympus is dry). You can buy water at the organized refuges at a price of 2€ per 1½ lit bottle. At the refuge of Zolotas (Spilios Agapitos) tap water is drinkable. There is also a water spring at 2000 meters, at Stragos, near Petrostrouga (details in the third crossing). In dire need of water, there is some"forgotten" summer snow left at high altitude, but it’s not recommended, because melted snow contains microorganisms and causes dysentery or gastroenteritis. Boil it for 3 minutes, or use the special pills available in pharmacies.
Also, you should always carry with you, a first aid kit, a hat, sunscreen, some food, walking poles (Nordic), sleeping bag, flashlight, cell phone, knife, whistle, matches and a light jacket. The poles must be telescopic, since you will have to put them in your bag when rock-climbing.
Your clothes must be light and pale.
Use hiking boots and socks that apply firmly around your ankles.
Do not throw around your garbage. Keep it in a bag and dispose it in a trashcan when you return. You can even additionally contribute to the cleanliness of the mountain, by picking up some trash, left back by some indifferent stinker!
In case you don’t find sufficient the information and advices provided in this blog, and you need a guide or further information, please contact me at:tsitsinia09@gmail.com.