SEEK WONDER: Greece, Pt. II

Words by Mark Herbison, FOW // Photos by Kylie Fly, FOW
Where does wonder originate? Is it a feeling existing in an isolated state within one’s own neural pathways? Or is it a reaction - triggered by the excitement of discovery? Celebrated for its history of human discovery and producing notable mathematicians, scientists, architects and philosophers, Greece is without a doubt, a geography with a great many wonder seekers. Was it the place that elicited such curiosity? Read Pt. I here.
Pt. II: Soaring with the Gods
 
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The road to launch was rough, and required a slow approach so as not to drag the underbelly of our ill-equipped car along the ragged rocks embedded into the road.

Conditions were ideal, light winds blowing straight in at launch. Kylie launched first, running straight off as the wing pressurized and lifted her off the ground, soaring along the shoulder of Mt. Olympus and over the ruins scattered below. 

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Surrounded by scenery like this, the tale of Icarus should have crossed our minds, but blessed with excellent conditions and even better partners, we had little to fear. The lift was light, but the air was smooth and offered over an hour of gentle soaring along the largest peak of Greece and the home to many of the Greek Gods. 

We flew 6 of the 9 days we had on the mainland in 4 different locations and Kylie had one of her longest thermal flights yet. We were psyched!

Ascending Ancient Stone

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Kalymnos is a world class destination, but it wasn’t necessarily the climbing that brought us there. More so, it was the desire to spend time with good friends in a beautiful location. I hadn’t climbed much that summer, instead opting to spend most of my time in the air, so I was not chasing hard grades. 

The routes were steep, juggy and long, and I was immediately humbled and reminded that I am not a naturally gifted climber. The style is unique and three dimensional in the overhanging realm, with unnatural looking tuffas and rock formations. 

 

The venues were impressive, and the most sought-after locations drew big crowds for good reason. We joined the morning ritual with everyone else: wake up, zip along the streets to the crag of the day with your scooter gang, and seek out the walls with the most shade. As soon as the sun turned the corner and lit up the stone, climbers would scatter like roaches from the light. Most of us can’t climb for long in the heat.

 

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To be continued...

Complimentary Photo Journal! 
 
Get our SEEK WONDER | GREECE print photo journal free with any order! This booklet features an more immersive selection of Kylie's photos immortalized in physical form.

 

 
 
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