Greece - Day 36: Beautiful views T the pass and a ridge walk

There was pure sunshine this morning, I couldn't believe it. I am so glad, I had a tent day yesterday.
Otherwise, I would have missed so many gorgeous views!!!!

I passed the village Anthanasios Diakos, before a trail went up steeply to a pass. Amazing views on the mountains and I am happy, that it is too early in the year for the sheep (and sheep dogs) to be up there.

Then I left the E4 to have a day full of ridge walking. Lots of ups and downs, and although the clouds came in, I was mostly below the clouds.

When I dropped down into a beech forest, I decided to camp there, although it was still very early. Althouhgh it had sprinkled a bit, the weather didn't look too bad. But how could you pass up a camp in a beech forest :) even though the leaves are still hiding...

I guess its going to be a cold night at around 1700 m: temperatures are already low and the snow next to my tent needs no further explanation!

I had an early start with sunshine!

The first clouds are forming...

over the ridges

In the clouds for a short moment

Dropping down to the beech forest!

That's where the ridge walk continues tomorrow!

Greece - Day 35: Going back and forth - a tent day

An early blog post, but I don't expect anything to happen anymore today after my short (maybe 1 km) hike...

I was totally enthusiastic about walking this morning, especially since it seemed like th rain had stopped. But when I packed my tent, I discovered that there was still a constant drizzle. With rain jacket and gloves, I started on the road. But it was cold, windy and wet! I came to a church not long after with water, which I needed.

There was a nice forested little ridge above the road  perfect for camping. I checked the weather forecast and thought about spending a tent day there. Still going back and forth, as the rain wasn't too bad. But I knew, I would walk up and soon there would be no protected campsite anymore. The next days looked like rain as well weatherwise, but hopefully not as gray and especially cold as today.

While I sat up my tent, a man must have heard/seen me and checked up on me. But after a friendly "kalimera" from my side, he left again. When it rained later on, I was happy in my tent, but around noon, the rain stopped and I was thinking about continuing again. All the pros and cons again. Should I leave? Should I stay? But if I leave now and the rain starts again, what is the point?

I went outside and even had kind of a view on the mountains. So back to my tent and packing. Just when I wanted to put down my tent, it started to drizzle again. Not too bad, but bad enough, that I don't want to walk in it. it is settled an no more going back and forth!

I stay. The rain might stop for a moment, but there is rain predicted all day long. With 4-6°C it is already cold enough, where I am and the trail would take me up at least another 600 m, where it is far to the next forest. And most important: I have so much food, that I can just be lazy and stay in my tent during this cold day. So I am laying in my tent, feeling a bit bad but at least it is nice warm in my sleeping bag :)

Tomorrow is a new day, and even if it's going to rain, it is supposed to be at least a few degrees warmer! Btw, todays rain is snow on the mountains around me at about 2000 m and up...

Gray, cold and rainy morning!

My campspot

SHORT rainfree episode around noon with good views

Rain came down as snow at 2000 m

That's how I will spend the rest of my day...

Greece - Day 34: Mountains and fire salamander

I woke up to a bird's concert and although it was overcast, the weather didn't look too bad.

After a short way up, I had a beautiful panorama of the mountains. I stopped at the (locked) refugio for water, before I ascended steeply to the pass at around 2150 m. Before ascending, I saw three fire salamander, while following up a little creek.

When I was walking up, the clouds already came down into the mountains and I ended up in the fog once in a while. But I was still lucky, since most of the time the fog came and went, giving me great views of the area and most important, my way down through a few snow fields. Luckily the snow was soft and there were even tracks of other people, but it was cool and windy.

While I thought that one part is trailless,I discovered later on, that it is marked, but only for people going in the opposite direction. Not great but still very helpful! And the sun came out, which was nice.

I came to a road and descended over lots of switch backs, passing a cave with a memorialand two people on their way to see this cave (honestly not worth walking up all the way!). In Stromi I hit the E4 again and then it was a road walk. I listened to a podcast, so I totally missed, when the E4 turned off that road. I doubt there was a sign... Anyways, since the E4 parallels the road, I continued down to a bridge, where I could walk on ghe E4 again.

First it was steep up, then it was getting easier and following a ridge, walking through pastures and forest. Unbelievable, but the E4 was clearly to identify and follow! On my way I passed three turtles, all being busy with eating.

Already on the last bit, I watched the dark clouds above me and was kind of hoping for a few drops, giving me the excuse to set up my tent. Otherwise, it would be way to early! And really, just before hitting the big road again, there wee a few raindrops. I was still hesitant, as it was really just a few drops. But the following part would have been: large road, village and the end of the forest. So I decided to set up camp directly next yo the trail under a fir. Sadly, I can here the big road... Now it is raining quiet enough to feel not too bad about camping early and I am happily laying in my tent!

Let's see, qhich route I take tomorrow, since the weather is supposed to be bad the next days. I guess its not going to be much rain, but low clouds are not perfect for a ridge walk...

The left pass is the goal

Can you see hhe refugio?

First clouds

My first view over the pass...

...but it got better - at least sometimes!

I came down in the snow on the left side of the little mountain

Cowslips 

Turtle on the trail

Camping right next to the trail...