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Babis has been climbing with passion since the age of 14 when he started rock climbing and (in his 30) became a full-time mountain guide. Even though climbing first began only as a hobby, it later led him to a professional Mountain Guide title. He is a Greek certified Mountain Guide HFMC, and an IFMGA/UIAGM/IVBV Mountain Guide, which is the highest internationally recognized mountain guiding certification. He holds the prestigious French Diploma of the French School of Alpinism and is a member of the French Syndicat of mountain guides SNGM. In the last 20 years, he has accomplished many expeditions all over the world from Denali in Alaska to Damavand Iran climbing or guiding and skitouring.
Babis loves the mountains as well as the sea . A passionate sailor himself and a skipper who also organizes trips of climbing and sailing in the Aegean Sea.
He lives between his birthplace Litochoro, the village at the foot of Mt. Olympus Greece and Chamonix France.
You can find him guiding between Mt. Olympus and Chamonix Mont-Blanc, ski touring from the Haute Route in the Alps to the Elbrus in Caucasus or sailing and climbing to the Greek islands.
Lazaros Botelis finished the Federal School of Mountaineering instructors in 1995. Since then, he has been teaching mountaineering and climbing for beginners, mid-level, assistant instructors and instructors, as well as in ski mountaineering courses.
In 2021 he graduated from the Ski Mountaineering Coaches.
He is a route seter of climbing and ski mountaineering competitions.
He has taught at OTEK Mountain Leaders.
As an athlete he had second and third place in the Greek Cup in competitive climbing and second place in Ski Mountaineering in the category of Veterans and first place in the team Pierra Creta 2015.
He took part in the biggest ski mountaineering races in the world
Has climbed most of the slopes of Greece (Olympus, Meteora, Varasova, Astraka, Vardusia), in the Alps (Mont Blanc 4810, Aig. du Midi, Aig. du Roc, Aig. Rouges, Aig. Du Peigne, Aig. De L’ M), in the Dolomites (Cima Grande di Lavaredo, Cima Piccolo, Cingoue Torri and Tofana di Roses) and in France High sportclimbing routes (Verdon, Buoux) and has made climbs and ski descents in most Greek mountains.
In 1996 he became a mountain guide and a member of Hellenic Mountain Guides Association (HMGA).
Today he is a freelancer and works as a mountain guide in Meteora and Mt Olympus.
He speaks English and Greek.
Giannis is one of the pioneers in the outdoor activities scene in Greece working continually in this field since the 90’s.
Founder and owner of Escapeway Outdoor Activities Company, he organizes hiking, trekking, canyoneering, rafting, 4X4 activities and adventure caps. He operates in the mountains and rivers of Central Greece (Mt Olympus, Mt Kissavos, Pelion and Pindus mountain ranges and Pinios, Venetikos and Aspropotamos rivers).
When he is not in the mountains Giannis is at sea organizing sailing trips, sailing schools and seminars.
Mountain Leader, certified by the Hellenic Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing.
Certified Rafting Guide level IV and V.
Instructor of Outdoor Activities, certified by the National Certification Center.
Open Sea Sailing Instructor, certified by the Hellenic General Secretariat of Sports.
I come from Greece and always remember myself as a kid of the mountains…
Now, I am a Certified Mountain Guide HMGA, member of the Hellenic Mountain Guides Association (License number A.N 867/37, Nr 19 FEK (A)621-999/28-11-07) also a Mountaineering – Ski Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor, member of the Hellenic Federation of Mountaineering & Climbing (H.F.M.C).
My passion for the mountains led me in numerous hikes, ski tours, rock and ice climbs in Greece, in the Alps, in France, Switzerland, Italy and Bulgaria, with many new routes are under my signature.
The beautiful valleys at the foot of the Mount Olympus – Greece are my home, and the flanks above are the playground to follow my mountain love, may it be ice-climbing, ski touring, hiking or alpine climbing. For me it is the perfect terrain to train, play and guide.
I teach mountaineering, rock climbing and ski mountaineering in various Climbing Schools & Mountaineering Associations, and i spend a lot of winter time as a ski instructor. I love to share my passion with guests, and guide hikers, mountaineers, climbers and ski tourers in Greece and aboard, all year round.
I am married to Marisa and we have a daughter and two sons together.
I speak Greek, English and French.
My name is Pitenis Athanasios, I was born and live in Elassona and Litochoro <hometown of Olympus!!
On Olympus I also took my first steps on the mountain at around the age of 15, it was the first time I saw the high peaks of the mountain up close and that was it.
I slowly started with some more experienced people to discover the secrets of Olympus either hiking or snowboarding.
At the age of about 18 I attended the Mid-Mountain Guides Seminar and started working at Trekking Hellas first as an Executive in the mountain camps and then as a Rafting Guide (I attended the school) and hiking guide.
In 2015 I created my own Outdoor Activities company, Olympus Path, after about 3 years in 2018, I opened the office of Trekking Hellas in Olympus (in Litochoro) where I operate until today providing guiding services to Greek and Foreign visitors.
I spend my free time mainly in the mountains, in the winter doing Splitboard and the rest of the time hiking and mountain running.
In 2012 I started organizing the Faethon Skyrace mountain race in Kokkinoplo Elassonas, a landmark race for the region and the Thessalian Olympus, which every year gathers over 600 athletes from all over the world.
Graduate of the E.E.T.A. Seminar with the title: Middle Mountain Companion
I was born in Litochoro on the foothills of Olympus and live here most of my life. I have attained certification in Mountaineering and Climbing by the Hellenic Federation of Mountaineering. I continuously attend seminars and renew my knowledge on First Aid and Rescue in mountainous environment to provide the safest services for you. I am also a certified MIAS Instructor – Guide of mountain biking and a Leader of Canyoning.