from Upskill Climbing
This is the end my friends. The final trip report from Upskill 2011 Kalymnos climbing camps. This'll be a good-un though, so read on for your last little hit of Kalymnos for the year. ODYSSEY A bit of a fave, you've probably gathered by now. Day nine of climbing and there were some tired bodies! But only two days of climbing left, so time to pull out all the stops and give it heaps! Besides, it had to be Odyssey, as Bo refused to leave the island without Atena 6b+ in her satchel. We headed up to the left
published: 6 months ago
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downloaded: 6 months ago
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44 views
from Upskill Climbing
Day seven of climbing. Perhaps the highlight day so far? I don't know, you be the judge. We started with a group vote on where we wanted to go for the final four climbing days of the trip. Plans were made, guidebooks were consulted, and dates were made with dogs that had been left behind at various cliffs to date. KALYDNA If you were playing along at home you know we went to Kalydna on day two . You'll also know that Owen, Andy and Susy found a friend for life in the 30m Nickel which is a 7a+ pitch which
published: 7 months ago
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downloaded: 7 months ago
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51 views
from Upskill Climbing
Time is ticking by and when you hit day five of climbing and realise there's only five climbing days to go it's panic mode! Ahh, cobras! ODYSSEY You guys know all about Odyssey now. You don't need me to tell you that it is the single most varied and diverse crag at Kalymnos and hosts the biggest grade range of any sector (3s to 9s). Could this be why it draws the climbing celebrities? Recognise this guy? Yep, none other than climbing superstar Iker Pou . Rumour has it that he has been sent here on a secret
published: 7 months ago
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downloaded: 7 months ago
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52 views
from Upskill Climbing
ARHI For our dose of vitamin D on day three we headed to Arhi. The left-side was in the sun at 9:30am when we arrived but temps were low, and the group punched out some long slabs up to 40m (!!) in length which required lowering off in two stages. I like this one. Komak 6a+ gets a musical note (i.e. the highest quality rating) in the guide and hence was on Susy's ticklist so we made a beeline to check it out. Lowering off Komak Owen runs up Komak. That blue is unphotoshopped. Cracker of a day :) That right
published: 7 months ago
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downloaded: 7 months ago
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51 views
from Upskill Climbing
You thought we'd wrapped? How wrong you are! Gird your loins dear readers and prepare yourself for another gripping six-part series of Upskillery on the isle of Kalymnos. Despite imminent Grecian economic collapse, general strikes, aircraft groundings and a run-in with pirates, our first team of Upskill players managed to leave the island and make their way home. This left a void that only a group of boisterous Aussies could fill, so we imported some. Allow me to introduce the new players. Upskill Kalymnos
published: 7 months ago
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downloaded: 7 months ago
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62 views
from Upskill Climbing
After spending our rest day on a caving adventure, including accessing a supposedly closed cave via a squeeze attempted by only three of seven team members, it was GAME ON for a day of rematches at the crag we'd all like to have in our backyard - Odyssey . It always seems to be cold when we rock up, so warming up well and staying warm while on belay is the challenge. Glenn, who has struggled with the cold rock during the warm up's at Odyssey fell off his 6a+ warm up Femio as he had done the previous day,
published: over 2 years ago
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downloaded: over 2 years ago
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100 views
from Upskill Climbing
So, you might remember from the other day that we had a score to settle. There was a few things on the agenda and the crew was rather psyched. Psyched enough to get up earlier (ugh!) and walk up the hill to be the first ones at the crag for our pick of the routes. Get the photographer in position, things are about to start... Match up's for the day Glenn vs Trella 40m 7a Matt vs Ivi 18m 7b Owen vs DNA 20m 7a+ **Title fight in the main arena** Susy vs Trella 40m 7a Glenn was up first on Trella . After a few
published: over 2 years ago
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downloaded: over 2 years ago
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64 views
from Upskill Climbing
Hey again. It dawned on us a little bit cold and a little bit windy. Good friction though! The module we completed in the morning over breakfast was on "The art of warming up" and it was an appropriate one for the day. The sector Spartacus is one of my favourites. I think the group is getting sick of me saying something is my favourite. They're all my favourites! Well, not really, but there's so many good things here. Spartacus is a large orange bowl, with long tufa-streaked vertical walls on either side,
published: over 2 years ago
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downloaded: over 2 years ago
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55 views
from Upskill Climbing
It's THE most famous area on the island. A truly world class cave, possibly the most heavily stalactite-laden climbing cave in the world. You call it the Grande Grotta . We call it today's playground :) Seriously, the Grande Grotta is spectacular. You've never seen such rock architecture, absolute chock-covered with dripping stalactites. It's crazy. And the routes are crazy. We had a sprinkle of rain in the morning. That was all it took to ensure we'd have a crowd up in the cave sector, where you can be
published: over 2 years ago
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downloaded: over 2 years ago
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75 views
from Upskill Climbing
Second day on, and tired muscles would be rejuvenated by the big breakky buffet! Yum! Living the life of climbing bums sure is hard. Ghost Kitchen sits high above Skalia village and looks down on the blue ocean with its high-domed, arching roof which protects a gently overhung main wall with the most unbelievable stalactites and tufas. It's the cliff that has "6c's as far as the eye can see" . If you're climbing the 6c-7a (22-23) level, this area is primo. Owen and Glenn were first up to the cliff and both
published: over 2 years ago
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downloaded: over 2 years ago
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68 views
