
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.
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https://www.uptherocks.com/index.php/uptherocks-archive/137-unbelievable-rendezvous#sigProIdd097c4208c

On February 13-14, 2010, the Championship of all age group climbers was held in Moscow, on the great climbing walls DDS (Youth Sport Club).
During this warm winter in Armenia there was a short period of cold days in early Feb, and we went to “Trchkan” waterfall to which no ice-tool pick has been touched before.

Jacob Balzani Loov an Italian photographer and journalist visited Armenia for the work, and at once appeared to our climbing circle to fill his weekends with a joy.
Could it be an any better time for route setting than a COVID lockdown period?
The Armenian Mountaineering and Skiing National School was born as a result of the transformation of Up The Rocks club, on October 1st, 2024. The School's umbrella organization is the Armenian Alpine Club SNGO.

Here is the second part of the project “Rock Us in the Caucasus 2015”, which was held in Chaukhi mountains and Mt. Kazbeg in Georgia.

When two guys, who had never met before and don’t know much about each other (besides couple of g-mails) immediately set of to climb a serious mountain from the meeting place – they call it “nonsense” in mountaineering, you will agree!

In the night of Oct 24 we met with Vladimir Belousov in Zvartnots airport, Yerevan.
8/38 Margaryan str., 0036 Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Tel: +374-93-337-937, +374-93-318-006.