Sikati Cave
Kalymnos, GR
Sikati Cave is a giant hole in the ground on the northeast coast of Kalymnos. It has a 50-60m diameter, a depth of up to 70m, and it is without a roof. With walls full of tufas and stalactites, the steep, overhanging, otherworldly limestone inside the cave is characterized by mega-long routes and trademark Kalymnos three-dimensional climbing. The only drawback of Sikati is that once you go inside all you see is a piece of sky. The sea is invisible and the air inside the cave can feel stuffy and claustrophobic. On hot days, though, the gorgeous beach below is a treat.
A massive hole in the ground and 3-D pumpy climbing on stalactites and tufas.
__Busy__ 2/3
__Climbing__
In a limestone forest of stalactites with very overhanging terrain and dynamic, pumpy moves.
__Gear__
Minimum 80m rope (especially for extensions); very long quickdraws for reducing rope drag; helmets.
__Conditions__
Shady all day, but best on clear days with a northerly breeze. On hot/humid days the cave feels stifling.
__Shade__
Mostly after 12:00.
_Entrance area_
Morning and early afternoon
_Jaws area / Lolita area / Armata area_
After 12:00
__Kids__
So-so. Long walk and fixed-rope approach into the cave. Also, as always but especially in stalactite terrain, kids must be very far away from climbers.