Climbing with the natives

The rocky hills and cliff-side caves echo with the sound of goat bells in the morning as we make our morning "commute". Most of the climbing here is within about an hour hike of our studio. We spend most of our climbing days below massive limestone caves dripping with stalactites that resemble a page out of a Doctor Suess book.  The rock climbing here is absolutely amazing! It is long, thoughtful, creative and full of unimaginable formations.

Throughout a day of climbing we will hear one or two lone goats venturing into the upper gullies and cliffs. The large bells around their necks ding and dong as they graze on the thyme and sage bushes. Having been born and raised in Kalymnos, they seem to navigate these hills with a confidence we have yet to attain. We eat lunch and scan the hills for them as the sun wraps around the island and spills across the Aegean. The afternoon is filled with final attempts on our projects in hopes that we will send and tomorrow have a new vantage point for the days beauty.The evening hike back to the tiny village of Masouri is like a sunset concert as we navigate a mass exodus of free range goats. For dinner we eat fresh bread and feta cheese and listen to the sounds of the sea below our patio never too far from the iconic, Kalymnian sound of these native "climbers".We have two more weeks of this simple paradise and we will board a boat for Athens to see the ancient ruins of Greece.

Another incredible meal!

Grand Grotto cave with Dr. Suess stalactites

Not a bad view for the belayer 

An old olive tree

A very free range goat 

The gorgeous sunset we see every night

You know you're in Greece when...

...every single house is white with blue trimmings, olives taste almost as good as dark chocolate and the view out the window is of a picture perfect Aegean Sea...only it's not a picture! Every day we say, at least once, "are we seriously here??? this is so crazy!!!." It really is unbelievable that a few hours and 3-4 modes of transportation will bring you from Madison, WI to Kalymnos, Greece. We are so lucky. In the morning, we wake up in the tiny studio to a gorgeous view. We make coffee on a tiny electric stove with two burners. We walk to a huge cave with gigantic stalactites and climb there all day. Then we stop by a tiny market or produce truck to buy groceries for dinner. It's still doesn't seem real.

Kalymnos is all about climbing. The locals, even if they don't climb, are all about it. Restaurants are decorated with old climbing shoes and projectors play climbing videos on the wall. "Climbers Welcome" signs are everywhere. It's strange and wonderful that climbing put this place on the map and now so many people will experience it's charm and beauty.

Second to last leg of the journey: a ferry from Kos to Kalymnos with Keith and Jonathan

Luckily, the studio comes with a shower- but it's only 3 feet off the ground and we have to remember to remove the toilet paper before starting the shower

Classic Kalymnos tufa wrestling

The front door and kitchen (on the left)

The Aegean Sea through a picturesque courtyard

Our studio looks out on the Aegean

The perfect lunch: home made bread, feta, arugala and olives with figs for desert! Patrick: "stop taking pictures and let me eat it already!!!"

From plugging gear to clippin' bolts (finally!)

About a month ago we came to the sudden realization that, despite climbing for 2+ months straight, we somehow lost ALL of our endurance for overhanging routes. Since we were going to be spending a month in Kalymnos, known for VERY steep climbing, we went on the fast track to regaining endurance. Starting in Red Rocks and then heading to Red River Gorge, we hit as many overhanging pumpy routes as we could. Some highlights include sending long standing projects like Gung Ho and Mercy the Huff. But the biggest highlight by far was spending time with family and climbing with some of our favorite people. We've spent the last few days back in WI catching up with friends and trying to fit all of our gear and clothes into the least amount of bags while frequently weighing our luggage so we don't exceed the airline's limits. This is no small task since we thought we already had everything consolidated as much as possible and climbing gear is heavy (duh). As crazy as this feels to us- tomorrow we are headed for Kalymnos, Greece for one month. Greek food, steep gorgeous climbs, old friends and hopefully some new ones...we can't wait! 

Here are a few pictures from the past month. Yes we did also climb...but it's hard to belay and take pictures so these are all on the ground!

Red Red Red Red Rocks

Red Rocks is known for having some windy days!

SO excited by the small amount of gear required to sport climb!

Our buddy Diana belaying on Tuna Town

Grandpa! We almost convinced him to try climbing!

Our friend Hilary and Jed's dog Lincoln (on the right) showing off his sharing skills.