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

"Toktam" 7a, by Morteza Eftekhar

On late Oct our guests were Morteza Eftekhar, with his family, in the group of Naser Ararat, from Iran.
Armenian Bouldering Open Championship 2025

On October 19th, with the support of the Armenian Alpine Club and our title sponsor Unibank OJSC the Boulderland Yerevan climbing gym organized and held the Armenian Bouldering Open Championship.
Seting 10 more sport climbs in Noravank Canyon

10 new sport climbing routes (14 pitches) we set this September in Noravank Canyon. Our friend Martin Tučka from Czech Republic, who visited to our Armenian Rock Climbing Festival in 2013 and put number of sport routes here, was back again for this project.
New sport climbing sector "Areni" developed in Noravank canyon

June 7-11 was spent to set 8 more sport climbing routes in Noravank canyon, at the new sector called Areni.

Mountaineering and Backcountry skiing

Ski-touring review 2016/17

Winter 2016/17 was a season for joy and exploration of new ski touring areas and tracks in Armenia and Georgia.
French Ski-tour in Armenia

From Feb 25 to March 5, a French group was hosted by Up The Rocks for ski-touring program 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.
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.