3-day Snow Crossing in Pindos with snow racket

A unique experience crossing North Pindos with snow rackets, and reviving old techniques of moving in the snow! We start from the village of Avdela, one of the highest Vlachohoria of Grevena, we cross Vasilitsa we end up in the ski area, and finally, we end up in the famous Samarina!

The snow racket is an old human "patent" and was used very mainly in the northern countries (Scandinavia, Alpine countries, mountainous Balkans) but also in many areas of mountainous Greece. The constructions varied, usually made of skull wood or other flexible green wood, which formed a circle. Within this circle, a rope was tied, forming frames, squares, with a relatively dense weave. Wearing it on foot, moving in the snow became easier because they just didn't sink. It was mainly used by hunters in our areas. The name snow racket took it naturally from the racquet-like shape. Today of course it has become quite famous activity abroad, allowing ordinary winter hikers to enjoy hikes in the snow, without any particular technical difficulties!

*Limited number of snow rackets!

Highlights

• Hiking in the trackerless snowy mountains of Pindos
• Experience in the winter landscape
• Alpine landscapes

Does he want a winter mountain experience?

You don't need a winter mountain experience, as the routes are carefully selected and we won't walk in steep, alpine fields. Besides, with the snow rackets, we can only move on smooth slopes. Most of the route is in forests and mild slopes! Hiking experience is needed, as well as a moderate physical condition since the walks last 5-6 hours.

• Day 1

Meeting in the ski resort where we stay overnight in one of the shelters.

• Day 2

In the morning we transfer to the village of Avdela with the aim and end of the ski resort Vasilitsa. The route puts us for good in the "deep", since it ascends, between clusters of beech, and pine trees. We climb with direction, north, northwest to the highest peak of Vasilitsa at 2249m. The trail we follow is a variation of the international path E6, which "steps" in the footsteps of an old livestock path, which was used extensively by the shepherds of the area. From the top of Vasilitsa we have a wonderful view to Epirus and the mountains of Smolika of Tymfi, but also to Macedonia, where Olympus dominates. The descent is made from the ridge of Vasilitsa, heading towards the ski.

• Day 3

The next day finds us going up to the relatively unknown peak of Gomara in 2177. The route begins with a view of the imposing Tymfi, and through the perennial robols, it ends in the old firehouse of the summit. It is not by chance that the choice of the point for the control of fires is not random since a large part of Greece is distinguished from the top. Then, from the beautiful and well-formed ridge of Gomara, we head to the "Stavros" and the hill "Anitsa" where historical battles took place during the civil war. We are transported to Samarina to close our weekend decently! Duration 5-6 hours.

Prices

• 2 pax 356€/person
• 4 pax 211€/person
• 6 pax 162€/person
• 8 pax 138€/person