Back in my younger, bolder days I travelled alone to Greece after graduating from university the first time. I circumnavigated the island then travelled up to the Lassithi plateau and eyed Mt Dikti for the first time. On my second day on the plateau I decided I was going to climb to the summit. I had no maps, compass, ten essentials or a clue. I did have food, water and extra clothing. I spied the first of many trail markers but soon lost my way due to ALL THE ROCKS!! I blazed my own trail up to the ridgeline where I became acutely aware of a LARGE BLACK SKY to the south! Immediately realizing I was an IDIOT for not checking the weather forecast, and wanting to live (random thoughts of my family never forgiving me for dying in a distant land) I began negotiating my way down the scree slope. Looking back several times I realized the weather bomb was closing in so I boot skied down the scree slope, jumped over rocks, ran across dry creek beds and eventually found shelter under an olive tree. At this point the sky opened up and hail stones the size of golf balls thundered down around me for close to 30 minutes. After the storm passed by, I vowed to get smart. I made it back to my room. Travelled many more months just looking at the mountains.
tleaf - Mar 15, 2008 1:52 pm
Failed attemptBack in my younger, bolder days I travelled alone to Greece after graduating from university the first time. I circumnavigated the island then travelled up to the Lassithi plateau and eyed Mt Dikti for the first time. On my second day on the plateau I decided I was going to climb to the summit. I had no maps, compass, ten essentials or a clue. I did have food, water and extra clothing. I spied the first of many trail markers but soon lost my way due to ALL THE ROCKS!! I blazed my own trail up to the ridgeline where I became acutely aware of a LARGE BLACK SKY to the south! Immediately realizing I was an IDIOT for not checking the weather forecast, and wanting to live (random thoughts of my family never forgiving me for dying in a distant land) I began negotiating my way down the scree slope. Looking back several times I realized the weather bomb was closing in so I boot skied down the scree slope, jumped over rocks, ran across dry creek beds and eventually found shelter under an olive tree. At this point the sky opened up and hail stones the size of golf balls thundered down around me for close to 30 minutes. After the storm passed by, I vowed to get smart. I made it back to my room. Travelled many more months just looking at the mountains.
I am ready to return.