Between Some Rocks and a Hot Place

If I knew that tourists on Crete and other Greek Islands were dying in alarming numbers from hiking in the sweltering heat, I probably wouldn't have embarked on an impromptu climb, solo with no water....

As is my regular routine since we arrived in Myrtos, I started off on a 3 or 4 mile run along the road that hugs the cliffs overlooking the Libyan Sea.   I had ventured out a little later than usual, around 8:30am as opposed to my usual 7:30am start time.  The sun was already oppresively hot so I considered bringing a water bottle, which I typically don't do considering the short distance.  But I ultimately decided against it figuring I would be going for a slow, short jog and I wouldn't need it.  

However, as I rounded a corner I saw a dirt road going nearly vertical up the side of the cliff.  Ever the explorer - and bored with my usual route - I felt compelled to follow it. As I ascended higher and higher I realized that I was at the foot of Kolectos, the iconic conical mountain that serves as a backdrop to Myrtos Beach. 

It didn't look that far or that difficult so I started to climb up.  After a while it became clear that it was a bit farther and steeper than I had estimated and I was starting to get winded.  I looked back at the village of Myrtos far below and not a soul was in sight on the hill.  I thought about the water and that perhaps I should have brought some. Still I was not deterred and I pushed on up the side of Kolectos.  I had to make wide serpentine turns as it was too steep to go straight up the face.  I did have the presence of mind to stop and send Francesca a WhatsApp message so she would know where I was in case anything happened as she would not have known that I would be crazy enough to divert my slow, flat jog to ascend Kolectos.  

The rest of the hike transpired without much drama. I took some selfies, saw some great views.  I summited Kolectos, there is a cairn on top denoting the highest point. Then I carefully decended - a bit more challenging than the way up. 

When I got back home I saw a message from a friend warning me about the heat wave in Greece taking a toll on hikers, especially tourists who are perhaps less prepared for this heat than locals who know to stay indoors.  According to CNN there have been a series of tourist deaths and disappearances in Greece as the country endures a powerful, early summer heat wave with temperatures pushing above 104 degrees Farenheit.  The article goes on to say that extreme heat can impact the body in many ways including causing confusion and affecting people's decision making abilities and their perception of risk. 

I don't think I was ever in any real danger, but that didn't stop me from milking it as a near death experience to gain fawning attention from my wife and kids. :P