During my previous ascent to Olympus I had the pleasure to be with two close friends and partners of mine. We stayed five days at Christakis Refuge (2.550m) while we explored the surrounding area in search of paths and of course our next photographic theme! So we started taking photos and exploring the area searching for trails to the next closest summit.
One of those summits is "Agios Antonios" (2.815m). Our first ascent was not a lucky one as the strong winds prevailing in the area did not allow us to set up even our tripods..!
One day after our arrival we departed from Christakis Refuge at 04:00 o'clock in the morning, to catch the sunrise from "Skala" summit" (2.882m). We finally reached Skala summit earlier as we thought. We had enough time until the sunrise that we were longing for so much. We even had time to make some hot coffee! Shortly before the sun appeared among the clouds that were hiding Halkidiki peninsula from our sight, "Athos" had raised its summit and greeted us. We stayed there to take some photos and enjoy the view for more than two hours, before we actually decided to follow the path that leads to "Agios Antonios" summit.
The homonymous Emergency Refuge located on the summit, hosted us for a few hours. We had to wait because the strong sun did not allow us to take the specific photo that we wanted to. We stayed there a few hours in order to proceed with the photo close to 5:00 p.m., when the light is softer. Right after we started walking for about 40-50 minutes, until we reached "Skolio" summit (2.904m) to catch the sunset!
The horizon was very clear due to the strong winds of the previous days. The visibility from the top allowed us to enjoy the stunning view from Agios Dionysios gorge to the coast of Pieria. Shortly before 6:30 pm, we had reached the top of "Skolio" summit, watching the sun that we had been following since its dawn today, setting behind the endless Pindos mountainrange. When darkness fell we began the descent to the refuge for rest when it started getting dark just.
Photos: Babis Giritziotis, Gregory Tsolakis, John Grigoriadis
One of those summits is "Agios Antonios" (2.815m). Our first ascent was not a lucky one as the strong winds prevailing in the area did not allow us to set up even our tripods..!
One day after our arrival we departed from Christakis Refuge at 04:00 o'clock in the morning, to catch the sunrise from "Skala" summit" (2.882m). We finally reached Skala summit earlier as we thought. We had enough time until the sunrise that we were longing for so much. We even had time to make some hot coffee! Shortly before the sun appeared among the clouds that were hiding Halkidiki peninsula from our sight, "Athos" had raised its summit and greeted us. We stayed there to take some photos and enjoy the view for more than two hours, before we actually decided to follow the path that leads to "Agios Antonios" summit.
The homonymous Emergency Refuge located on the summit, hosted us for a few hours. We had to wait because the strong sun did not allow us to take the specific photo that we wanted to. We stayed there a few hours in order to proceed with the photo close to 5:00 p.m., when the light is softer. Right after we started walking for about 40-50 minutes, until we reached "Skolio" summit (2.904m) to catch the sunset!
The horizon was very clear due to the strong winds of the previous days. The visibility from the top allowed us to enjoy the stunning view from Agios Dionysios gorge to the coast of Pieria. Shortly before 6:30 pm, we had reached the top of "Skolio" summit, watching the sun that we had been following since its dawn today, setting behind the endless Pindos mountainrange. When darkness fell we began the descent to the refuge for rest when it started getting dark just.
Photos: Babis Giritziotis, Gregory Tsolakis, John Grigoriadis
Posted by Babis Giritziozis
Canon Greece Ambassador - Adventure Photographer / The North Face® Greece Photographer
Babis Giritziotis is a proffesional photographer based in Thessaloniki, Greece. In the past he has collaborated with travel magazines in Greece and abroad, covering topics in various countries in Balkans, Europe and Africa for several years. Since 2008 he deals exclusively with mountain sports photography and video production. He collaborates with the majority of Greek mountain sports organizations and he has covered various events for significant companies related to the mountain activities field in Greece, Alps and Nepal.
Babis Giritziotis is a proffesional photographer based in Thessaloniki, Greece. In the past he has collaborated with travel magazines in Greece and abroad, covering topics in various countries in Balkans, Europe and Africa for several years. Since 2008 he deals exclusively with mountain sports photography and video production. He collaborates with the majority of Greek mountain sports organizations and he has covered various events for significant companies related to the mountain activities field in Greece, Alps and Nepal.