5th Vikos Crossing, 12 August 2012, The wood came out of Vikos

The wood came out of Vikos – 5th Vikos crossing, 12 August 2012

Thirty two participants enjoyed the 5th annual activity, which was subjected “The wood came out of Vikos”. Despite the sudden rain Grigoris Vasdekis made a presentation on the history of “glitsa” – walking button -  its species and its use,  Philippos – Grigorios Sougles made a presentation of the flute, and Georgios Alexiou showed his creations of wood while instructing both children and grown-ups on the fabrication of wooden objects.

On Sunday the 12 of August 2012 Vikos crossing  started from the “skala” –stairs- of Monodendri. Everybody grasped his/her “glitsa” the Land beyond souvenir of this year.  After six hours walking into the eternal Zagori woods the most courageous dived into the Voidomatis springs, a nice spot just before the exit of the gorge and the difficult climbing up the village Vikos, where the crossing ends.

The team paid also a visit to the Info point of the National Park of Northern Pindos  (NATURA 2000) in Aspraggeloi valley. The people enjoyed their strolls in various Zagori villages such as Kipoi, Papigko and  the location Ovires Rogkovou where one can swim  in a naturally formed pool. The award of the diplomas of successful crossing was accompanied by bucolic poetry under the moonlight citated by Chrysanthi Gianni,  where wine and the local cranberry liquor (“krano”) was served. On Tuesday, August the 14th, the eve of the Mid-August orthodox holiday, a team of six brave participants of the Land Beyond climbed from Papigko to Drakolimni – from 6am till 6pm, where the commitment to return regularly was undertaken.