Basalt Column Climbing BAN

Last summer in July-August, 2007 I spent my holiday in Armenia, Hrazdan town, not far from Yerevan with my relatives.

My son was eager to join me, but that time he took part in Climbing European Youth Cup championship in Poland. At last he had an opportunity to fly to Armenia for a fortnight's holiday. Just in case he took with him some topo pics (the internet search results) of Armenian climbing routs in Arzni, Bjni, Noravank.

We took a taxi and made the southern rocky parts of Armenia.
We walked around up and down among those gigantic rocks, finding nothing of the kind then.
After the long quest for those climbing routes, we decided to take a short rest and have a bite in a nice coffee located near the bridge on the soundly river under the oak trees in the open air (…it was marvelous!!!) We looked through on a menu… delicious and gourmet food, such as roasted fresh fish ‘Ishkhan’ (trout ), kebab with lavash (Armenian bread) and spices and many other appetizing food…

We were delighted with the nature surrounded by highly proud rocks and clean air. Suddenly we noticed some people nearby settled down climbing. They were members of Armenian “Spitak” rescue team - Mkhitar with his friends and guests from America. And it was the beginning of our acquaintance.

…Next week Mkhitar organized bouldering in Hrazdan canyon inviting my son, me and pretty couple Ando(the photographer) and Vergine there. And here are some Ando's photos of that unforgettable day.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.uptherocks.com/index.php/uptherocks-archive/137-unbelievable-rendezvous#sigProIdd097c4208c

Details: Category: Rock Climbing; Published: 21 January 2008

WE FLY CROWS

We choose Black Diamond

MOUNTAIN GUIDING

Rock and Ice climbing

America to Armenia

Phhh. Our car stalls in the Zvartnots parking lot just as the third member of our climbing team, Marius, reports he “knows how to drive stick.”
“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.
A Multi-Pitch Climbing Course

We have launched the first Single-Pitch and Multi-Pitch Climbing Course in partnership with VER VAR climbing gym, combining theoretical and practical training in Yerevan, with an assessment conducted in Noravank Canyon.
First multi pitch class of AMSNS

As the Up The Rocks club transformed into Armenian Mountaineering and Skiing National School, we started organizing multi-pitch climbing classes for young climbers.

Mountaineering and Backcountry skiing

"Luciamore" FA, V+ max, 430m

On cold November 22, with Dani and Lucia I finally went to the Granite Circus, which they had discovered a year ago.
Ski touring in Georgia

While the ski tour program in Armenia last year, Philippe Descamps, with his group of skiers, was interested in the ski tour trip in Georgia for March 2013.
“Zangezour” FA on NE buttress of Mt Khoustoup 3201m

In the night of Oct 24 we met with Vladimir Belousov in Zvartnots airport, Yerevan.
Dobré a bezpečné lyžování v Arménii

With Jan Pala, we had planned this ski-tour trip in Armenia around a year ago.