The idea of the event came, about 6 months ago, when Will Nazarian from Oregon found our website and wrote us about his wish to visit Armenia for one month climbing. 

On July 1, club Up The Rocks kicked off the “Arev” Armenian First Ascent Open Festival. The guest participants at that point where from Iran (5 climbers) and Russia (Vadik Sirekanyan).

In the evening of May 21 the event opening party was held in “Friends” bar in Yerevan.

This amazing bouldering site, on the slopes of the mountains above the Chiva village, was discovered by Jared Nielson. It’s located some 15km closer than Noravanq Canyon when you drive from Yerevan.

We got to Noravank Canyon in the afternoon of May 23. After a small rest and shower participants walked through the canyon to check out the rocks and choose the lines for the next day’s climb.

In the afternoon of May 26, the event crew set up the camp on the plateau above Arpa Gorge, one of two basalt column natural monuments of Armenia.

In the morning of May 29, the crew set off to Garni Gorge, the last destination of the Festival where basalt columns were waiting for climbers.

The next four days spent in Arpa Gorge was somehow productive despite on high temperature (over 40c) and sun. 

 The part in Garni Gorge was more productive in terms of exploring all the gorge and it’s branches to unveil the climbing potential. More rocks with solid 15m cracks were found down the river stream. 

On July 13-16 we spent in Hell’s Canyon, where there were already few sport routes set up. 

The event crew spent 9 days in Noravank canyon from July 2-10. The extreme hot weather didn’t allow climbing much stuff, but  one trad route and few boulder problems where set up.

Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia gave it's official permit to club Up The Rocks to climb on the natural monuments  "Stone Symphony" wile Armenian First Ascent Open Festival 2009.

"Arev "Armenian First Ascent Open Festival 2011 was successfully and productively completed. 48 traditional, sport and bouldering routes were established as a result of the festival!