Kalymnos

This is a Greek island, reached by ferry from Kos. It has a number of climbing areas, generally very steep and overhanging. To get the most out of a trip you need to be climbing at 7a, although there are a number of quality routes at around 6c. The good routes tend to be on outrageously overhanging limestone features, such as tufas and stalactites.

Climbing at mid grade 6 at Arhi, a sector that offers one of the greatest varieties of grades.

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Thetis, 6b, Arhi. This mad series of tufas demands a lot of flexibility, as extensive bridging is needed to get to this point.

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The start of the classic Aegialis, 7c. Wild bridging on tufas leads to the steepening at the roof of the cave, where a series of tufas and stalactites take you to the chain, way behind your starting point.

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The mid section of Aegialis.

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The huge stalactite of Trela, 6c+.

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This is the last ever photograph taken of the Trela stalactite. Just as the climber was lowering off he touched it and it broke off, crashing to the ground, narrowly missing myself and a companion who were belaying underneath.

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A section of the broken stalactite. It was only the outer inch or so that was solid rock, the inside was damp and mushy.

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My friend's rock shoes, which were next to him. His rucksack suffered a similar fate and his rope was destroyed. Beware belaying under stalactites!

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The roof of Fouska, 7a, Odyssey sector. This route is short, well bolted and fierce!

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Lowering off from Aegialis.

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