Greek mountain climber Nikos Magitsis is one of the select few summiteers throughout the world to have scaled the highest mountains on all seven continents. The mountain he holds dearest to his hear, however, is the magical Mt. Olympus of Greek mythology, home of the ancient Greek gods, in the province of Elassona on the borders of Macedonia and Thessaly. The highest mountain range in Greece, Olympus is a landmark for not only Greek mountaineers but also climbers from all over the world.
The 41-year-old Volos-born Magitsis began mountain climbing in 1984 when he joined the local Mountain Climbing Group of Volos.
The first "Seven Summits" peak he scaled was Mt. Kilimanjaro on the African continent, in Tanzania. This was followed by the Vinson Massif in Antarctica in January 2003, Denali (Mt. McKinley on the North American continent, in Alaska, USA) in June 2005, Mt. Everest (on the Asian continent, in Nepal/Tibet, the world's highest peak) in May 2007, Aconcagua (South American continent in Argentina, on the border with Chile) in January 2008, Carstensz Pyramid (or Puncak Jaya, on the Australian continent, in Indonesia) and Mt. Elbrus (on the European continent, in Russia) in August 2008.
Magitsis, in an interview with ANA-MPA, spoke of the strength of heart need to perform such a feat,
"For a climber to reach so high and scale the hardest peaks, he must be in excellent physical condition, come to terms with the difficulties and risk, always seek something bigger and better, set high goals, and be determined and daring. Physical strength is an advantage and a requirement. But strength of heart is the beginning and the end. It is the most precious thing for a climber who stops at nothing and attains his goals," Magitsis said.
That, he added, is a lesson for life itself.
As for Mt. Olympus, "it is the highest and most beautiful mountain in Greece", Magitsis said. "It is the springboard and goal of every new mountain climber."
"When I started mountain climbing, my dream was to reach its summit. It has high and steep peaks and vivid scenery. Olympus is a mythical mountain, and its legendary routes attract climbers from all over the world every year. Olympus is the mountain with the highest in altitude shelters. It is a mountain to which hymns of praise have been sung by Greek and foreign writers and poets, and which has commanded respect and awe the world over," Magitsis said.
Greek mountain climber Nikos Magitsis is one of the select few summiteers throughout the world to have scaled the highest mountains on all seven continents. The mountain he holds dearest to his hear, however, is the magical Mt. Olympus of Greek mythology, home of the ancient Greek gods. The first "Seven Summits" peak he scaled was Mt. Kilimanjaro on the African continent, in Tanzania followed by the Vinson Massif in Antarctica, Denali (Mt. McKinley in Alaska, USA) in June 2005, Mt. Everest (on the Asian continent, in Nepal/Tibet, the world's highest peak) in May 2007
23.01.2010
