Dawn's Rock Climbing Paradise (Hardwear Sessions)

Day One In Rock Climbing Paradise
(Look for more updates from Dawn Glanc)

By Mountain Hardwear Climber, Dawn Glanc

Greek island of Kalymnos

Paradise! | Photo by James Q Martin

After a long and arduous guiding season, I wanted some island living. Warm weather, short approaches, and light backpacks is what I had been dreaming of while slogging on the glaciers. It was the simple life and the idea of traveling around the island on scooters that called to me. Finally, after a few months of planning, my dream of sport climbing near the Mediterranean came true.

Greek island of Kalymnos

The beautiful Greek island of Kalymnos | Photo by James Q Martin

Yesterday Pat Ormond and I arrived on the Greek island of Kalymnos. As we flew in we could see that the island, was covered in amazing limestone cliffs. Beautiful walls lined the coast and met the sapphire blue water of the Mediterranean. As we traveled to our hotel we passed many steep caves with crazy tufas of all sizes. The cliffs called to us like we were little kids at the playground.

After surviving the taxi ride through the narrow crowded streets, we arrived at the Hotel Philoxenia and were greeted by Nicolas, our very gracious host. The locations of our accommodations are awesome. The hotel is at the base of the Grande Grotto, one of the most inspiring caves that we have seen so far. As we entered our hotel room, we were taken back by our view of the sea. It seemed that we had found a climbers' paradise.

Arriving at Grande Grotto

Dawn arriving at Hotel Philoxenia. | Photo by James Q Martin

After a pseudo nights' sleep, we awoke to perfect climbing weather. Before we could climb there were a few things to take care of, with transportation and lunch food topping the list. We headed to the local market where I picked up freshly baked chocolate croissants that were still warm. From the market we headed over to pick up our scooter. The rental place was called Scooter Fun. It is the perfect name for this company, since the scooters are really fun to ride. Most climbers rent scooters for transportation to the cliffs, and Scooter Fun is the place to go.

Scooter fun

Scooter Fun | Photo by James Q Martin

Once we had our food, water, and transportation we headed to the cliffs to meet our friends James Q Martin and Tim Connelly. I hopped on the back of the scooter and Pat drove. It seemed hairball at first, but then we quickly got the hang of it. We went to the Odyssey wall to spend day one. It was an amazing cliff with routes of all grades. It was the perfect cliff to shake our jet lag and get acquainted with the rock. We climbed until we could no longer hold on, and we each left the crag totally worked.

Dawn Glanc

Dawn at Odyssey wall. | Photo by James Q Martin

Mountain Hardwear Dawn Glanc

The evening light. | Photo by James Q Martin

As we headed down the trail I kept looking over my shoulder to admire the beauty of the Odyssey wall. The wall was lit by the evening light and was glowing a brilliant yellow color. The setting sun illuminated the entire island. I believe we have truly found a climbing paradise.

Greek island of Kalymnos