Free Climbing in Kalymnos (Greece)

Here at Birchwood, we like to encourage and celebrate our team members hobbies outside of work. As a team-orientated work environment, we understand that hobbies are important to happiness and helping to relieve stress. We also love to hear about what our Birchwood People have been get up to in their free time.​

Franky, age 17, is one of our apprentice technicians over at Kia Eastbourne and he recently went on an amazing free climbing trip to Kalymnos, Greece. Franky originally started climbing one and half years ago after deciding he wanted to push himself. He regularly trains at 'The Ordinary Climbers' in Eastbourne to improve his technique. Franky suggested that while learning to climb, just like everyone else, he was nervous at the start. However, since getting passed the ‘fear barrier’, has fallen in love with the sport and the feeling he gets after completing a challenging route. He has already been to Kalymnos, Penbrook, Dorset and Tunbridge Wells pursuing new challenges and he plans to visit El Capitan Mountain in California. Part of the mountain, the granite monolith, is about 3,000 feet from base to summit along its tallest face and is a popular challange for rock climbers.​

What is free climbing?

Free climbing is a form of climbing where the climber only uses equipment for the purpose of safety, to prevent serious injury, and not to assist them in progress. Due to the lack of assistance, free climbing is extremely physical and requires massive amounts of core strength. Climbing is also challenges your mental strenght due to the strategic nature of the sport, in finding the most direct route to the top. ​​

Top Free Climbing Spots across the Globe

There are some challenging but amazing free climbing spots. Here are some of the best locations worldwide:

• Yosemite National Park, USA.
• Kalymnos, Greece.
• Dolomites, Italy.
• Fontainebleau, France.
• Squamish, Canada.
• Zermatt, Switzerland.
• Red Rock, USA.
• Rocklands, South Africa.