Writes Theo H. (U6th)
On Tuesday, the Geographical Society hosted OMTs Aaditya Bhandarkar, Jenson Ives and Oliver Southon as they delivered a presentation on their expedition to climb Mount Olympus in Greece. This expedition was funded in part by the Richard Green (OMT) Memorial Prize, a generous annual travel grant available for boys in the Sixth Form who may wish to embark on adventurous, outdoors-oriented travel in the spirit of the conservationist photographer Richard Green. Tuesday’s presentation followed OMTs Alex Munro and Simon Peart, who spoke about their expedition to Réunion, a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean.
The three climbers detailed their four-day expedition, which began with a flight to Thessaloniki before making their way to Mount Olympus. On arrival, they lodged at a travellers’ refuge teeming with European adventurers, an experience that set the tone for what would prove to be an unconventional ascent. At 4am the following morning, the team set out in darkness, determined to reach the summit in time to witness the sunrise breaking over the Thessalian plains below.
What unfolded was a climb characterised by resourcefulness and good humour in the face of modest preparation. The boys had neglected to bring walking sticks, instead fashioning makeshift supports from bits of wood found along the trail. More significantly, their confidence in the route was uncertain–until two stray dogs from the refuge, seemingly seasoned veterans of the mountain themselves, appointed themselves guides and led the trio confidently to the top. It was a fortunate companionship that exemplified the spirit of adventure the Richard Green Prize seeks to encourage: a willingness to embrace uncertainty and adapt to circumstances as they unfold.
They arrived at the summit just as the sun broke the horizon, though their triumph was tempered by an unexpected chill that caught them off-guard in their shorts and light layers. The thirty minutes spent at the top were bittersweet–exhilarating yet uncomfortably cold–but the views and the sense of achievement made it worthwhile. On the descent, the group discovered they had overlooked packing food for the journey down, an oversight that provided them with a pertinent lesson: adventure requires embracing some uncertainty, but not at the expense of sensible planning.
The expedition drew inspiration from Oliver Southon’s passion for photography, which shaped much of how the team documented their experience, whilst Aaditya and Jenson were drawn by a shared interest in the philosophy, history and mythology associated with the mountain’s ancient significance. This intellectual curiosity was enriched during their travels, as locals shared stories rooted in classical myth, deepening their connection to the landscape. Notably, the team spotted several ibex near the summit, adding an unexpected wildlife dimension to their climb.
As a final curious detail, the team reported spotting former footballer Peter Crouch at Thessaloniki airport, an unexpected brush with celebrity that seemed to encapsulate the unpredictable nature of travel itself.
