Lynn Hill Explores Climbing Paradise in Manikia Greece – An interview with a legend
Lynn Hill and Mariona Marti Sans had a two-week “climbing vacation” in Manikia, Evia. Representatives from the Municipality of Kimi Aliveri and the Manikia Project engaged in insightful discussions regarding the climbing landscape in Manikia and its future prospects.
Renowned climber Lynn Hill embarked on a multi-day journey to Manikia, situated in Evia, Greece, an emerging global climbing hotspot. In an Instagram post, she described this excursion as her "first pure climbing vacation" in nearly two decades, marking a significant milestone since the birth of her son.
"It was so fun climbing at a different cliff every day with my friends from three different countries! The local people were very friendly and they are putting up new routes every day! So far, it's not crowded with too many climbers, but I can imagine that it will become more popular in the future!" Hill shared on social media.
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Accompanying her on this two-week adventure were fellow climbers Mariona Marti Sans from Catalonia and Javier Paramo Muns. Representatives from the Municipality of Kimi Aliveri and the Manikia Project engaged in insightful discussions regarding the climbing landscape in Manikia and its future prospects.
As Hill pointed out, Manikia, will grow much more in the future. "There's a lot of future because there's so much rock. I know it will grow in time. Everything will get bigger. Plus there's so much rock and you can come back more than one time".
She noted the uniqueness of the limestone and tufa rock types, distinguishing Manikia from climbing destinations in America.
Marti agreed, adding that the trails that have been built are very good. "The routes are clean, it's safe, all the paths are really good, with a good indication. It's super easy, you're never lost. It's another thing that I think you did a good job" she added. She also pointed out that Manikia is a place she will recommend to other climbers to visit.
"You have a paradise here. Don't change it", Paramo noted, as it was particularly emphasized in the discussion that we need to regulate visitor activities, to preserve the area's beauty. It needs to be clear to everyone - as Hill pointed out - where visitors can park, where the vans can go and where its forbitten. Marti even added that she has seen places, including her own, lose their magic because of this. Hill also raised the issue of recycling, an issue she is very sensitive about and noted that Greece needs to enhance its efforts in this regard.
Another element that makes Manikia a great destination for climbers, as everyone pointed out, is the fact that there are many small villages around, offering enriching cultural experiences through interactions with locals, which can make the trip even more special.
The conversation ended with a promise: that they will visit Manikia again.
About Lynn Hill
Lynn Hill is a living legend. Few have accomplished an athletic feat more than a decade before anyone else- man or woman. Lynn changed the definition of what is possible in rock climbing with her first free ascent of the most famous big wall climb in the world called The Nose on El Capitan in Yosemite Valley, California.
Over nineteen years later, Tommy Caldwell and Lynn are still the only two people in the world to have succeeded in making an all free one-day ascent of The Nose.
