"From the top of Ida descended same route. I had decided against climbing this as some nasty clouds had come in but when I got to where I would need to turn off they suddenly cleared and I thought "it is only another 100m ascent and will I ever return to this beautiful auster part of the world?" So I turned off the path and made my way up the steep western side, feeling it quite a bit and quietly cursing my decision. On top the clouds had come in again so I saw little except the fallen summit pillar. Again quite flat slabs of rock but some of them with layers of marble. Rather than return the same way (hate that) I decided to descend north east to reach the col between this and Vouloumenou. This did get a little steep and I slipped a couple of times, once sliding a good couple of metres and summoning some good swearwords unrepeatable here. I eventually regained the path. Here I think I unwittingly caused a marital row as a French couple had been coming up, the fairer of the too had obviously seen my ungainly descent and assumed that was the route they were meant to take. They'd resolved their issues however by the time I met them, and I got a nice smile. From here the return to the..." — vygodski • Oct 21, 2025

"From the col between Agathias and Vouloumenou I made short work of the last 200m gain to the top of the mountain, traversing the north side of Agathias on a good path. This is the most frequently taken route and it is relatively untaxing with only a few places where you need to take care on the rocks. I didn't spend too long on the summit as it was getting late and I was umming and ahhing about whether to go up Agathias or not... as it turns out I did. But I did ring the bell three times as it was three o'clock. Saw quite a few people on the walk, couples mainly, of many European nationalities." — vygodski • Oct 21, 2025

"The first summit on a climb up Ida from the northwest. This I had in mind as the principal destination as Ida I had climbed before and I wasn't sure what the weather was going to do. I had wanted to climb from this side of the hill, having approached from the south before. The road to the trailhead at 1580m was mainly good, and of asphalt. There are several buildings there, presumably used as refuges, but were closed up when I visited. The path, though it winds a bit, more or less bee-lines up to a shoulder at 2240m where there is a cairn and a marker. From here I followed the path (an idea rather than much of a reality) east to a bifurcation, taking the more northerly one, marked by small cairns. I arrived at a very simple though effective shelter made completely of stone, roof and all. From here it was a short hike to the summit working one's way around a small depression. Returning to the shoulder I decided to stick to the high ground and this made sense as the ground was covered in flat slab-like rocks which could be used as stepping stones whereas the route previously was quite stumble prone. One passes the steep northern side of this with blocks of rock that have broken off i..." — vygodski • Oct 21, 2025

"I wanted to go up this hill because from afar (from the east at least) it forms a splendid cone. I took it from the west. Up the gravel track a little way, to around 250m. Then continued along this before it ended at a set of pillars supporting wooden crosses. From here there was a luxurious paved path switching back up the hillside ending in a viewing area, then a path through the rocks to a small church in an enclosure. I dutifully rang the bell, signed the visitor book with a customary request to the GOC to allow gentiles, non-believers and women to visit Mount Athos, and then descended same way. After being overcast it suddenly became unbearably hot and I regretted not taking water along, even on such a short hike. Saw some strange plants sprouting from large bulbs (pictured). Views to the White Mountains were largely obscured by cloud." — vygodski • Oct 19, 2025

"If you like telecommunications infrastructure, this island is the place to go. Otherwise you just need to look in a different direction! I drove a little above the village to the north east and parked on the asphalt road in a small quarried area around 650m. From here I continued along the tarmac until some small farm buildings, and then took the dirt track that wound its way up southwards. I came across quite a few thorny pear trees on the roadside. Some still bore small fruits but though tasting a little of pear they were incredible astringent. Also saw some juniper shrub, I think, which had aroma of burnt clothing. It was a fairly easy walk, with great views of Ida but as I reached the top, clouds came in an obscured much of the view. There is a fenced of antenna with large drum shaped receivers. Several birds of prey using the thermals. Returned by the same route. " — vygodski • Oct 18, 2025