Geraki Wave

__Geraki__ Wave is a brand-new crag near the beautiful village of Geraki. It is about an hour’s drive southwest of Leonidio but worth multiple visits. Aris was familiar with the cliff since the ‘90s, when he used it as training ground for students of the Sparta Alpine Club. (He also climbed some routes on trad gear.) The limestone cliff is only about 30m high, but the quality is excellent, and its shape resembles a giant wave. __Climbing__ On bombproof, heavily pocketed, vertical, wavy grey and orange rock. On the left, 17 routes (5b–6b+) on vertical grey rock with some orange patches. In the middle and right, 12 routes (mostly 6c+ to 8c) on gently overhanging orange rock with big holes/huecos, or on off-vertical rock with grey stripes. All grades are to be found at Geraki Wave, but the list of advantages goes on: there is shade almost all day; the approach is short and easy; and the terrain below the cliff is nice and flat, making it ideal for families and picnics. Routes were equipped in March 2020, just before the Covid–19 lockdown, by Aris Theodoropoulos and Claude Idoux, with help from Pierre Cier, Simon Montmory, and Kostas Grafanakis. The equippers plan to add a few more routes in the near future, mostly on the left-hand side of the cliff. __Gear__ A single 70m rope + 18 QDs. __Conditions__ Good year-round, but ideal in spring and fall. On hot summer days, climb in the afternoon. In winter, climb in the morning. The cliffs are sheltered from brief rain. __Shade (Exposure: NE)__ Routes 15–18, all day. Everywhere else, after 12:30. __Kids__ Excellent.