Sector: Cave
Sector: Left Wall
Accommodation: free camping in a tent or camper van is possible at the crag’s parking area. There are no hotels or rooms for rent in the surrounding areas; the best option is to stay in Patras or its outskirts and ‘commute’ to the crag.
Food/Shopping: for food, Patras is your best bet, as there are no restaurants near the crag. There are some mini-markets in the villages en route to the crag, but no guarantee that you will find them open. For fresh mountain water, there is a spring on the right-hand side of the road past the village of Zisimeika (where the road begins to ascend).
Chatzouri (pronounced ha-DZOU-ri) is located 40km southwest of Patras. It includes two sectors: Wall (directly above the parking area) and Cave (above and to the right of ‘Wall’, at the end of a distinctive ravine). Cave has been dubbed the ‘Temple of Sport Climbing’ by local climbers: it was one of the first Greek crags where 8th grade routes were repeated, and it doubles as their private ‘gym’. Routes were equipped by Yiannis Torelli and Aristomenis Thanopoulos.
Local Info
Climbing: the Cave at Chatzouri is unique, with very dynamic climbing. It is quite overhanging; the length of routes is between 15-20m, and holds are primarily ‘open-handed’ (tufa pipes and other ‘wide’ holds). Most routes can be described as power endurance with dynamic moves, and they are all on excellent quality limestone. In contrast, sector Wall rises to 80m in height. The left side is equipped with 10 routes between 6a-7c+ for very good (what else?) wall climbing. The mid-section features some easy training routes which can be climbed on top-rope or with nuts. Lastly, the right side of the wall features some interesting 6th grade routes.
Gear: 60m rope and 14 QDs.
Kids: sector Wall is good for kids, with an easy approach and flat areas beneath the cliffs. Sector Cave, however, does not have such an easy path and, whilst the terrain beneath the cliffs is good, it’s covered in a layer of goat poo.
Conditions: ideal for spring and autumn climbing, though year-round climbing is definitely possible.
