Who we are - Rebolt Kalymnos

We are climbers and equippers with decades of trusted bolting experience, extensive knowledge of Kalymnos crags, and a deep connection to the island.

Our mission is to keep Kalymnos crags safe through direct action, expert rebolting, and a community-driven approach.

Our vision is a climber-led movement built on collective action, fair compensation, and shared responsibility—keeping Kalymnos the safest climbing destination in the world.

Our people

Niels AbegglenA resident of Kalymnos for over a decade—and full-time for the past four years—Niels arrived as a passionate climber until his friend and mentor, Hannes Webhofer, introduced him to the art of bolting. With more than a hundred routes to his name, his focus has increasingly shifted toward crag maintenance and rebolting. As a volunteer in recent years, he has been on the front line of rebolting, responding swiftly to critical safety issues to ensure they are addressed without delay. As a founding member of Rebolt Kalymnos, Niels envisions transforming rebolting on the island from a volunteer-based effort into a sustainable, organized operation—essential for preserving Kalymnos’s status as a world-class climbing destination.

Maria GlynatsiBorn and raised in Emporios to a family of beekeepers, Maria witnessed firsthand how climbing transformed Kalymnos's future. Recognizing both the opportunity and responsibility this brought to her island home, she learned to climb and assist with crag maintenance alongside Niels and Fred. A lifelong local and founding member of Rebolt Kalymnos, Maria serves as a vital bridge between visiting climbers and the island community, helping her fellow Kalymnians understand the importance of preserving climbing access for the island's continued prosperity.

Fred LeconteFred has called Kalymnos his second home for a decade. A certified climbing instructor and former engineer with extensive project management experience, he spends most of the year immersed in the island’s world-class climbing. After earning his French National Diploma in 2015—a rigorous 18-month certification focused on teaching and safety in sport, multi-pitch, and trad climbing—he has dedicated himself to coaching climbers of all levels. His deep knowledge of Kalymnos’s crags—built through years of climbing and coaching on routes from 4a to 8a—gives him a sharp eye for assessing route conditions and safety needs. Monitoring nearly 5,000 routes demands rigorous, ongoing oversight, and as a founding member of Rebolt Kalymnos, Fred brings the perfect fusion of expertise and passion.

Katie RoussosKatie has been a part-time Kalymnos resident and all-arounder since 2008. A natural communicator, she has connected with the climbing community from the start—whether through writing, outreach, or hands-on involvement. She co-founded Climb Kalymnos in 2009, has worked on the Kalymnos guidebook since 2010, evolving from copyeditor to designer and ultimately co-author, and is a founding member of Rebolt Kalymnos. As Aris’s longtime climbing partner and collaborator, she has dedicated countless hours to every aspect of crag maintenance—often behind the scenes, but always essential. Kalymnos has been a defining part of her life, and she is fiercely devoted to keeping it safe and accessible for all, sharing her deep knowledge of the island to ensure that climbers from all backgrounds can appreciate and enjoy it.

Aris TheodoropoulosAris is as integral to the story of Kalymnos as it gets. One of the most experienced mountain guides in Greece, PETZL Greece's rope access instructor, a climbing guidebook author, and a founding member of Rebolt Kalymnos, he is widely credited for propelling Kalymnos to the top of worldwide destinations—championing safe bolting practices since the late 1990s. He has bolted and rebolted thousands of routes across Greece, always advocating dense bolting and accessibility for climbers of all levels. On Kalymnos alone, his more than 25 years of involvement include hundreds of new routes, countless rebolted lines, eight editions of the Kalymnos guidebook, the co-founding of Climb Kalymnos, and decades of outreach to local authorities and residents to keep them informed and involved. He has also reinvested thousands of euros from guidebook proceeds into UIAA-certified hardware, both for his own rebolting efforts and to equip other volunteers. When it comes to trust, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the island, Aris sets the standard.

Max BergerMax Berger, an Austrian alpinist and IFMGA-certified mountain guide, has been pushing the limits of climbing and mountaineering for decades. From first ascents and bold solos to high-altitude expeditions without supplemental oxygen, his résumé spans some of the world's most demanding peaks. A part-time resident of Kalymnos, Max has rebolted numerous classic routes—including those in the Sikati Cave—and completed the island’s hardest multi-pitch, Galasia Petra (8a+). Whether on towering alpine faces or seaside limestone, he brings the same dedication to the craft, always eager to give back to the climbing community.

George KopalidesGeorge, better known as "Kopa," is a true climbing legend on Kalymnos. A fixture on the island’s crags since the late 90s, Kopa has not only established hundreds of sport routes, including iconic lines like Aegialis 7c, Paris, Texas 7c, and Nadir 8b+, but has also been a steadfast volunteer for crag maintenance over the years. His mission is simple: to help everyone enjoy the climbing experience while ensuring safety is always the top priority—and after a good climb, there's always time for a beer.

Andrey SkripnichenkoAndrey Skripnichenko, affectionately known as "Duka," began his climbing journey as a schoolboy in Crimea. Over the decades, he balanced competition climbing with mountain rescue work, all while bolting both sport and multi-pitch routes. Now that Kalymnos is home to Andrey, Daria, and their sons, Kolya and Misha, he channels his extensive experience and dedication into developing and maintaining the island’s climbs. Modest by nature, he works quietly, efficiently, and tirelessly—unless he’s taking his boys to school, tackling home improvement projects, or lending a hand to neighbors.

Photo: Lorraine Ciccarelli

Hannes WebhoferHannes, an Austrian-Canadian IFMGA-certified mountain guide, first fell in love with Kalymnos 20 years ago. Every summer, he returns to climb, guide, and dedicate his time to bolting and rebolting routes to ensure the island’s climbing remains safe and accessible. His contributions include hundreds of new routes, several new crags, and multiple multi-pitch lines, making his name a familiar one in the Kalymnos guidebook. A well-known figure around town, Hannes is just as likely to be found on the rock as he is swapping stories and sharing laughs with fellow climbers.

Pesche WüthrichPesche Wüthrich, a Swiss climbing pioneer, has been a driving force in the sport since the 1980s, playing a key role in the rise of sport climbing. With thousands of routes climbed and bolted, his legacy as a route developer is well established. A co-founder of the Swiss climber-led ReBolting initiative, Pesche brings a wealth of experience to Kalymnos, where he spends extended periods each year. His deep connection to the island, combined with his expertise and passion, makes him an invaluable asset to Rebolt Kalymnos and the climbing community.