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

“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.
Long expected meeting with Alexey Trubachev

Early chilly morning on Sunday, November 22 we started our training.
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.
The Route "Sev" - 20m 5b/5.8

FA of a line in Hrazdab gorge that used to be for a top rope and for rescue training.

Mountaineering and Backcountry skiing

Dobré a bezpečné lyžování v Arménii

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

Dani and Miriam Domingo’s were just purchased their Black Diamond ski-touring equipment, and we had to find an appropriate destination to “celebrate” that event ;))
"The Awake Path"

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.
Aghvan Chatinyan (Armenian hard man)

Aghvan Chatinyan was born on December 14, 1926 in Vardapluri, a village near Stepanavan, Armenia.