Rock Climbing on Kalymnos island Greece

WHO SAYS HEAVEN DOESN'T EXIST?
WITH CLEAR BLUE SKIES AND BIG, JAGGY ROUTES ABOVE THE SEA, KALYMNOS COMES PRETTY CLOSE

from ROCK&ICE magazine, issue 106 February/March 2001.

Kalymnos island Climbing History.

Kalymnos is a rocky island. People who live on Kalymnos island have nothing to do with rock climbing and always blamed these rocky mountains next to their door for their bad luck. Despite of the fact that these rocky mountains made them top rock builders, great hunters and famous divers.

Kalymnos island was under Italian occupancy until 1947. There are rumors that "some crazy Italian soldiers" were spending their time climbing up and down the cliffs.

It was only at about 1996 that climbers discovered Kalymnos island. Since then Kalymnos island Greece became very famous and is now considered to be one of the best destinations worldwide for rock climbing.

What is so special about rock climbing on Kalymnos island?

Climbers come to Kalymnos from all over the word - all year round .  As they say, Kalymnos island provides a lot of characteristics that rate it as a top destination worldwide. Some of them are unique. To name a few:

• Great rock quality: too many good quality rocks next to each other. Can be compared to Thailand rocks in quality but superior in density.
• Easy access: most of the cliffs are next door. Just 5-10 minutes driving and 5-20 minutes walking and you are there !
• Routes of all range of difficulty: no mater if you are a starter or a very experienced high demanding top climber, you will find the proper route for you. 
• Unlimited number of unexplored sectors, waiting pioneers to map and explore them. Kalymnos Municipality supports pioneers !
• Excellent weather all year round: the raining period starts at December and finishes in March but even in this period the rainy days are rare. In wintertime the temperature is above 10 Celsius degrees  although every 5-10 years it is snowing for a couple of hours. In July and August that the weather becomes hot, the famous Aegean Sea wind "meltemi" will cool you down. And as most cliffs have shadow until 13:00-14:00 you can share your day between climbing and swimming !
• Combined family and outdoors vacation: everything is so close that your family can stay on the beach or by the pool while you are climbing next door !
• Municipality care: Kalymnos island Municipality, takes care of the whole climbing case including a Climbing Sectors Maintenance project. The Tourist Information office will give you the latest information, provide you with the necessary equipment to open new routes, mark the paths etc.
• New Sectors and routes every year: we present here the 91  sectors with their 1552 routes. Latest as an update from the June 2010 Kalymnos Municipality's' and George Hatzismalis data sheet which you can find download and print at Brochures & Downloads
• Climbing Festival: famous and anonymous climbers come together in a climbing fiesta. The next Climbing Festival will take place in May 2012

• Climbing and Diving: Your climbing on Kalymnos island becomes more exciting now!