Like Sting, \u201cI never made promises lightly,\u201d but with apologies to readers of April’s \u201cExplore\u201d, this month’s article moves some distance from Paleochora to climb Psiloritis, at 2456m the highest mountain in Crete. Unlike Pachnes, only 3m lower, and centrally situated in the White Mountains massif, Psiloritis stands alone almost in the middle of the island, and from the summit there is only one way to go – down again.<\/p>\n
We made the ascent in early July, after snowdrifts blocking the route had cleared, and before the summer heat made the climb inadvisable. A long drive took us below Chania and Rethymno, then to Anogia, the highest village in Crete, where we found comfortable rooms at the Hotel Aris. Breakfast was arranged for 7am, later amended to 7.30am by the lovely Evangelia – \u201cYou must have fresh bread, but the bakery only opens at 7am.\u201d<\/p>