The first ascent of the route “Vegetarian” (III+ IV M2+, 515m) was realized on 7/1/2007 by A. Boskos - Th. Chatzisyrlis.
The line comprises two new pitches, after which it follows three beautiful mixed pitches that belong to the summer route “Butterfly ridge” and finally it meets the winter route “Virus” and follows it until the exit.
At the beginning, the route moves towards the ridge, until it meets a tree that serves to get the belay station built.
The 1st pitch (55m) initially goes up for a few meters and then it continues slantwise to the left (40° - 45°) until a group of rocks, where the belay must be set.
The 2nd pitch (50m) follows this group of rocks (M2) and then goes on to another one (M2) that leads to the ridge and specifically to a tree, where the belay must be set.
The 3rd pitch (50m) moves on the ridge and in 8m it meets a new group of rocks with a small slab (M2), which the route “Butterfly ridge” avoids by following the ledge to the left; the pitch goes on until the characteristic fir on the ridge, where the belay must be set.
The 4th pitch (45m) is the crux of the route because the ridge gets really narrow, involves loose parts and requires bare hand climbing. It begins on the ridge and continues on its left side (5m), then goes back to the right side, on a small ledge and continues with mixed passages until another ledge, where the belay gets set.
The 5th pitch (45m) goes on to the right (4m) and then up and slantwise to the right toward a turfy gully, until a big fir suitable for the belay. At this point, the route meets and follows “Virus”, which moves in the characteristic gully to the left of the ridge and after 5 pitches with mixed passages (M2) it leads to the col between the peaks Kartalka II and III.
The necessary equipment for this ascent comprises a set of nuts, small and medium friends and 2 pitons.
The approach to the route takes about 2hrs from the parking of the ski center, depending on the weather conditions. At first, we head to Kartalka, then we go down to its base and after passing “Kartalka ridge”, we descend slantwise to the left, towards “Butterfly ridge”, which we get past and then we start to go up, on its right side, for about 100m, having on our right hand a characteristic rock belt that goes down the ridge, while the slope in front of us converge on it.
