Embracing the Enchantment of Snowfall in Pindos Mountains
As November rolls in, the familiar sight of snow gracing the peaks of Pindos Mountains, much like in other mountainous regions across the country, is a customary spectacle. Beginning with the picturesque snow-draped landscapes of Gramos, Smolika, Flegga, Lakmos, Kakarditsa, Trigia, Koziaka, Agrafa, Velouchi, Panitoliko, Oxya, Vardousia, Oiti, Giona, and Parnassus, the lengthy expanse of this mountain range adorns itself in a pure white blanket.
The valleys echo with the rush of water, nourishing the entire creation in a beautiful symphony unseen by our hurried modern lives. Snow is the lifeline that sustains and nurtures ecosystems.
Though it may pose challenges in certain areas, we should rejoice in being remembered by this annual blessing. This endurance through winter is a shared compromise among all earthly creatures, navigating difficulties in movement, warmth, and sustenance.
They endure patiently until spring breathes life anew, shielded from the biting cold by the thick snowy embrace on the ground. However, in recent times, the early winter snowfall has notably decreased, intensifying from January onward, blanketing mountainsides in substantial amounts that persist in some places until late spring. At higher elevations, pockets of snow endure until late June, a rare sight in the mountainous terrains.
On tranquil days, the snow’s insulation and the scenic beauty urge one to wander through forests and highlands, witnessing nature’s wonders up close. What exactly is "snow"? It’s the frozen rain that captivates from afar and enchants when it collaborates with the sun and gusty winds, sculpting the landscape into evolving forms as it gradually claims its domain.
Snow brings both joy and life, yet it demands understanding and mindfulness in all our activities as bipeds. Let`s not forget the existence of other mammals and myriad species navigating winter’s challenges alongside us. Completing this cycle teaches us a profound lesson and brings a sense of accomplishment. Year after year, we manage to coexist with winter in an environment we`ve adapted to live in securely.
In the mountains, winter weighs heavily, and life in the villages presents distinct demands. Nevertheless, there lies a twofold satisfaction in overcoming the season`s difficulties, intertwined with the sheer joy of inhabiting a majestic and vibrant landscape!
Thankfully, in Greece, the current snow cover levels and snow quality appear more favorable than troublesome. Let us revel in this enchanting season!
text-photo: Apostolis Tsimpanakos
