There are trips where you set off to climb and come back with so much more: new friendships, laughter, a few unfinished projects and loads of stories to tell.This time, the destination is Kalymnos, one of the most popular spots for climbers from all over the world. Six days on the Greek island, with a decidedly mixed group and a pretty straightforward plan: to climb, have fun and enjoy every moment. The team? A real mix of personalities!Leading the expedition are superstar Andreina, ‘Il Gatto’, Enzo Cash, ‘Roberto lo Svizzero’, ‘Roberto Hairdresser’, ‘Michela l’Instancabile’, ‘Super Shayan’, ‘Er Claudio’ and ‘Viviana la Veneta’.As soon as you arrive, it’s impossible not to be struck by the landscape. The blue of the Aegean Sea, the little white villages, the barren mountains and, above all, those limestone cliffs that seem to beckon climbers from every corner of the island.Kalymnos needs little introduction: it is a true mecca for sport climbing, famous for its pillars, overhangs, formations and crags offering routes for all levels. Here, every crag is a new discovery and every pitch can turn into a little adventure. Six days fly by, but our group certainly has no intention of wasting any time!In a group like this, every day is a spectacle in its own right.

Superstar Andreina brings her stage presence, Gatto observes and prepares his performances, Enzo Cash tackles the rock in his own style, whilst Roberto ‘the Swiss’ and Roberto ‘the Hairdresser’ help to maintain the expedition’s high standards. Michela the Tireless always seems to have a hidden reserve of energy stashed away in her rucksack. Super Shayan never shies away from a challenge, Er Claudio brings his unmistakable spirit, and Viviana the Venetian rounds off a team that’s certainly hard to forget. Between one pitch and the next, there’s a mix of technical advice, attempts, recoveries, laughter and the inevitable discussions about the right move to make. Because in Kalymnos, you climb, you push yourself, you study the sequences and you celebrate every top. But above all, you share the experience. And if anyone thinks a climbing trip is all about holds and carabiners, our group is ready to prove them wrong! An evening in Arginonta: when ‘Il Gatto’ takes to the stage One evening we decided to treat ourselves to dinner at a traditional taverna in Arginonta. A large table, Greek specialities, good food and that pleasant atmosphere that only Mediterranean evenings can offer. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, until he made his entrance: the legendary Luca, known to everyone simply as ‘Il Gatto’. A long-standing musician, Luca is certainly not one to let an opportunity to turn a dinner into a show slip by. The songs begin, the tempo picks up and the tavern comes to life. ‘Il Gatto’ gradually takes centre stage, drawing in not only our group but also a party of German climbers in the venue. From a simple dinner amongst friends, the evening transforms into a moment of music, laughter and international camaraderie. Language barriers? Practically non-existent when there’s music and a desire to have fun! And so, for one evening, the cliffs of Kalymnos gave way to the stage at Arginonta. Il Gatto delivered one of the expedition’s most acclaimed performances. It’s hard to say whether he climbed better during the day or won over more of the audience in the evening!

Our trip took us to explore some of the island’s most beautiful climbing areas, each with its own character: Noufaro Area – One of the stops on our exploration, where we began to familiarise ourselves with the island’s rock and get back into the swing of climbing. Ghost Kitchen – Another encounter with Kalymnos limestone, with routes to observe, sequences to study and attempts to share. Atlantis – The thrill of climbing on one of the many walls that make this island a special destination for climbers. Arhi – Another day dedicated to discovering the island’s crags and the many possibilities offered by its rock. Arginonta – A name that, during this trip, has become synonymous not only with climbing, but also with an evening that will remain in everyone’s memory! Afternoon – To keep racking up the metres and having fun on the island’s beautiful crags. Poets – The last of our stops, but certainly not the last chance to enjoy the pleasure of climbing together. A great programme, with the right balance between the desire to climb, discovery and fun.

Six days, a close-knit team, loads of routes climbed, a tavern turned into a concert hall, and a Gatto we’re unlikely to forget. We’re heading home with slightly sore fingers, weathered skin, eyes full of memories and, no doubt, a few songs still stuck in our heads. But above all, with the realisation that the best trips aren’t just about the places we visit, but the people we share them with. Thanks to superstar Andreina, Gatto, Enzo Cash, Roberto ‘the Swiss’, Roberto ‘the Hairdresser’, Michela ‘the Tireless’, Super Shayan, Er Claudio and Viviana ‘the Venetian’ for making this adventure so special. And a special thank you to Kalymnos, which, as always, knows how to offer vertical thrills and marvellous horizons.

Until the next adventure – with our climbing shoes firmly packed in our rucksacks!