Basalt Column Climbing BAN

Two years ago Thomas and me were top roping this route under the Physics’ wall (Yerevan Physics Institute) and decided to call it Sev (Black) because of the black part under a small cornice.

The ''Spitak'' rescue brigade had been frequent trainings on these rocks on early years. In January I set up three bolts on the last 10m section of the route to make it safe for trainings (the two of them are 6mm long and 6mm in diameter). But unfortunately on that day the snow above melt and wet the whole route. Consequently we made up our minds to carry it out later.

On a sunny April Sunday Anahit, Miqo, Yulia, Vardan and me gathered to lead climb the route.

It’s 20m high easy route 5b/5.8. But it has small ledges under its small cornice, so at the point of whipper the climber can hit them, that’s why I set up the bolts to make it safer. I made also an anchor on the steep slope from two bolts below the rote to the right, for safe belaying.

The climber should also have some middle and small size protection gear for the first part of the route.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.uptherocks.com/content/view/197/138/#sigProId7612d1dcc6

Details: Category: uptherocks archive; Published: 13 April 2008

WE FLY CROWS

We choose Black Diamond

MOUNTAIN GUIDING

Rock and Ice climbing

Experience with Alex Chabot and Sam Bie

When Sam Bie emailed me about their wish to visit Armenia with Alex Chabot and establish new routes on basalt columns then I realized that the rock climbing is going to rise on the new level in Armenia.
Attempt on "Take off" 7c max, 140m

A small photo and video report of the attempt of "Take off" in Noravank canyon.
“Macedonskiy” 6b, 40m FA trad

The basalt crag above village Bjni, where during early eighties they organized Soviet Union rock climbing championships, is still desired trad climbing cliff just 32km from Yerevan.
Dancing the vertical and horizontal lines of Armenia

Before reading an article in Rock & Ice and watching Sam Bie’s excellent film on Armenian climbing, we virtually knew nothing about this little land locked country, except for the genocide and their world famous wrestlers.

Mountaineering and Backcountry skiing

D-1, Mt Weissmies 4027m

The stories from series ”D” are about one of my Dreams that came in true: I mean that’s the first climbing trip of mine In Europe.
Оld guide’s ski-tour in Armenia

This time we were honored to host the iconic mountain guides Claude Jaccoux and Alberto Re in Armenia.
Ski Season 2023

Like in the Alps and Caucasus, the snow conditions were poor in Armenia as well during past winter months. In Aspen though, where I spent skiing and teaching for the ski school there, it was a decent early season and very good snow throughout the season. Then came the long awaited March to guide for ski touring in Armenia.
Filming the ski tour in Armenia

In the scope of a workshop for development of incoming tourism to Armenia, Yves Exbrayat, Christophe Raylat from Grenoble, Manu Armand and Julie Lebeurre from Chamonix where our guests.