"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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

On the end of the August Ellen J. Brager wrote me that her 11 years old daughter wants to take rock climbing lessons.

Recently we gut supported by 100 bolts and hangers by Russian Mountaineering Federation via our friend Armen Ter-Minasyan. 

Ok, now I’m happy with a sustainable climbing partner Jared Nielson, a Big Wall climber from California.

Well, all the guys who I have sent a message via facebook, to go for climbing on Sunday, where not in the planned venue. 

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.

On March, 24th in the Voronezh sport center "Energy" solemn opening, of the main youth domestic start of a season on sport-climbing championship of Russia, has taken place.