Basalt Column Climbing BAN

After how our guests Will Nazarian and Katy Anderson arrived in Yerevan on March 26, we tried to make a short schedule together as to which climbing areas we would go for a climb and explore.

With Will we decided to explore the destinations of upcoming event “Arev” Armenian First Ascent Open Festival.

So the first day we went for a warm up at the bouldering section of Hrazdan gorge, located in Yerevan.

For the next two days the plan was to climb the Garni gorge columns. While getting up the basalt columns Will couldn’t hide his emotions “… this is fuckin' climbing paradise, man…”. He was first to free climb Joe Morgan’s “Margarita’s family” route, 35meters high.

He decided to give it the name “Doudouk” – Armenian musical wind instrument. We ended up the day with Garni temple (1^st c) – it is something marvelous even in the twilight.

The next morning we got disappointed seeing a snow from the window and decided to try to compensate it by a walking tour in Yerevan.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.uptherocks.com/index.php/uptherocks-archive/144-doudouk-ffa-5-10d-35m-garni-gorge#sigProIdbf1cc84d41

WE FLY CROWS

We choose Black Diamond

MOUNTAIN GUIDING

Rock and Ice climbing

Promo project with Massimo Cappuccio

Massimo Cappuccio, a photographer, traveler and dreamer, visited Armenia this time.
"To the south and back" V4, first traverse, 30m

“To the south and back" is a 30 meters traverse bouldering problem, with a bit overhanging relief and a lot of pockets.
Tigranes The Great

"Tigranes The Great" is my beloved climb on Titanic Rock in Gnishik canyon, Vayots Dzor province of Armenia. I have bolted it in 2018 and climbed it in 2019.
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 Season 2025

The 2024/25 ski season photo report in Armenia, with videos of exploring new ski lines.
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.
Andranik Miribyan's free solo climb in Chaukhi Mountains (VIDEO)

Up The Rocks member Andranik Miribyan free solo climbed an alpine route in Chaukhi massive of Greater Caucasus Range, Georgia.
Aghvan Chatinyan (Armenian hard man)

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