Hot air in winter, cold air in the summer, both pouring out of a hole at a 450-meter altitude
📷 The “Skali shack” at the end of the trail
After walking past a big gravel pile and before getting on the craggy path that girds hikers with the liberating feeling of having made it to the ridge, there lies the magnificent Skali passage, which gave its name to the northest of Karies trails climbing up to Mount Piganio.
The passage consists of several rocks, either embedded or laid there a long time ago by sheepherders, molding a safe walkway between two rock formations rising up to an altitude of approximately 450 meters. To the left of the first steps, there is a small, triangular aperture that holds a pleasant surprise to those committing themselves to hiking the demanding trail: it spews hot and cold air during winter and summer respectively.
After walking past a big gravel pile and before getting on the craggy path that girds hikers with the liberating feeling of having made it to the ridge, there lies the magnificent Skali passage, which gave its name to the northest of Karies trails climbing up to Mount Piganio.
The passage consists of several rocks, either embedded or laid there a long time ago by sheepherders, molding a safe walkway between two rock formations rising up to an altitude of approximately 450 meters. To the left of the first steps, there is a small, triangular aperture that holds a pleasant surprise to those committing themselves to hiking the demanding trail: it spews hot and cold air during winter and summer respectively.
📷 The Skali passage
📷 The mount Piganio “air conditioner”
“If you listen carefully, you can hear a hum coming out of this hole. Some say it’s underground water” reveals Vangelis, a shepherd who was born and raised there. “Others say that this water trickles down to Klidou and others say that this is Agios Dimitrios’ water.”
I get back up to Skali and try to give ear. I’m not sure I can detect the sound of rushing water; I’m under the impression that the hum comes from the air spurting out of the hole. I may be wrong, I can’t be certain.
What no one should have doubts about is the reason why the stream bursting out is perceived either frigid or hot compared to outside temperature: air maintains a relatively constant temperature, unlike ambient temperature, which fluctuates depending on the season. That’s why it feels like the air being emitted is warm now but cold during summer; impressive as it may be, it’s totally natural.
As for where the air stream is created before gushing out of the small hole, the answer lies in the cavities underneath the imposing Mount Piganio.
“If you listen carefully, you can hear a hum coming out of this hole. Some say it’s underground water” reveals Vangelis, a shepherd who was born and raised there. “Others say that this water trickles down to Klidou and others say that this is Agios Dimitrios’ water.”
I get back up to Skali and try to give ear. I’m not sure I can detect the sound of rushing water; I’m under the impression that the hum comes from the air spurting out of the hole. I may be wrong, I can’t be certain.
What no one should have doubts about is the reason why the stream bursting out is perceived either frigid or hot compared to outside temperature: air maintains a relatively constant temperature, unlike ambient temperature, which fluctuates depending on the season. That’s why it feels like the air being emitted is warm now but cold during summer; impressive as it may be, it’s totally natural.
As for where the air stream is created before gushing out of the small hole, the answer lies in the cavities underneath the imposing Mount Piganio.
Pigania
With an elongated ridge and a summit point at 786 meters that overlooks Karies, Mount Piganio was named after Apiganos, an aromatic plant that used to grow in the area.
Pigania
With an elongated ridge and a summit point at 786 meters that overlooks Karies, Mount Piganio was named after Apiganos, an aromatic plant that used to grow in the area.