Mt. Olympus: Home of Zeus

Greetings from Greece where we have now climbed the highest mountain in the country - Mt. Olympus - the cradle of Greek Mythology and the home of the gods.  This is the first time we have left our home/country in almost two years so we’re quite grateful for the opportunity. Greece opened for tourism in mid-May and itching for a new international destination to visit, we were welcomed into the country after presenting our CDC vaccination cards. It was a fairly last-minute idea to book flights and go, and so far we couldn’t be happier with our decision. After arriving in Athens we checked into a great hotel with amazing views of the Acropolis right from our room. 

At our very first dinner in Greece I learned that Greek salad tastes even better in Greece. ...especially with a glass of Ouzo!  Early the next morning we pointed our rental car north and four hours later we were awestruck by the monasteries perched atop rock monoliths at Meteora.  One of them was featured in the 1981 James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only. 

It was well worth the detour on our way to Mt. Olympus.

With its imposing vertical spires and no apparent way to reasonably ascend, we figured out why it took so long for the mythological home of Zeus to be confirmed as a myth.  ...nobody could actually climb to the peak of Olympus to find out if Zeus really lived up there! 

We decided to spend the night at a mountain refuge called Spilios Agapitos in order to break up the 6,000 vertical foot climb.  With great views and an incredible location, the hut has been managed for the past 20 years by Maria Zolota and her husband and they serve delicious hot meals and are truly wonderful hosts.  

We were up early and on the trail by 6:00 AM before everybody else in the refuge was awake and before they started serving breakfast...and COFFEE!  We were alone on the trail all morning with exception of several chamois (sort of a horned goat-antelope) and two guys who turned around at Skala Peak. This is the point where most people who hike Olympus head back as it is the beginning of the somewhat sketchy exposed rock scrambling section that begins with demoralizing down climbing. It was here where we spotted the only other group on the mountain ahead of us. It was a guided group of 10 who were roped together and all wearing climbing helmets.  

My prior research on Olympus seemed to indicate a rope was not necessary but seeing that the only other people climbing the mountain were using one, made me wonder if we should have brought our gear. Luckily for us the Greek Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (E.O.O.A.) has carefully painted red and yellow markings along the route so we could easily see the most manageable way up and we felt comfortable without a rope.  Although I’m sure the protection of a rope would definitely provide some mental reassurance with the steep slopes and sheer cliffs we navigated around.

It really wasn’t that bad just a bit intimidating at points to be unfamiliar with the route and not knowing what awaited for us ahead.  It made me appreciate that this was a perfect analogy for life.  And it reminded me of some advice found in Step #2 the “Live Courageously” chapter of this great book called “Steps to the Summit.”  😉 

Wishing all of you our very best!

Opa!

-Paul & Denise