During Eastern period, at the invitation od Stanisław „Barabaś” Barabaś, a group of polish climbers from lower Silesia stayed on the Greek Island of Karpathos.
Barabaś, driven by his vision, has been spiriting the exploatation of the local rocks with his own hands and invited crews of climbers.
Efforts bring unexpected results, there are already 400 climbing routes on the Island. They are scattered all over the Island, in several locations. The goal of the team was to add a few lines, preferably ones, that would increase the difficulty level of climbing on Karpathos.
After a few days of exploring and visiting the most popular crags (Adia, Grotta, White Bianca, Canyon Iwona), the choice fell on the Kastello, where the crew focused actions in the Cave sector, on the southern end of Island. Lots of beautiful caves, a limestone rock offering large overhangs and good rock quality.
The team found there 12 routes from 6a to 7c, and open projects that were waiting for the ascent and verification of grade. Mateusz „Dżodżo” Łazor led Monkey Pranks (line equiped by Barabaś). The difficulty of the route is 8a. The next 8a, opened by Dżodżo, was No Finger Pocket, equipped by Kamil Dudek.
Paweł „Benek” Behnke led the Artur Maślanka’s route, Dream 7c+.
After doing the rest of the routes offered by Cave and confirming or adjusting grades, the team started preparing and bolting their own lines. As a result, four more difficult routes were bolted.
The most difficult novelties are:
- Goatfather (8b?) equipped project by Mateusz Łazor,
- Together Much Better (8a+?) equipped Dorota’s „Doro” Halusiak project.
There was not enough time to lead both of them, because of fatigue associated with hard work, which is equipping routes in overhang, not really by the local alcohol, Rakija 😊.
The other two new routes are Artisans Touch 7c+, did by Łukasz „Wnuczek” Szabla and Goat Lover 7b led by Paweł Behnke.
Big thanks also to Pati Mikulska, for good advice connected with equipping, energy and laughter every day (and 7b did only on hands).
Krzysztof „Długi” Siwa and Paweł „Beny” Behnke
