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

Armenian Team at Flatanger climbing Festival

This year our club got involved in Youth in Action projects and we started with representing Armenia in the event “Experience the Eldorado of Nature” on June 22-29, in Flatanger, Norway.
Catching up the cold for warm up

The winter of 2015 in Armenia is again not that cold for ice climbing, but we bought the short gap.
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.”
Experience with Alex Chabot and Sam Bie

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.

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.
D-1, Mt Weissmies 4027m

The stories from series ”D” are about one of my Dreams that came in true: I mean that’s the first climbing trip of mine In Europe.
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.
"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.