Basalt Column Climbing BAN

On March 28 we went for sport climbing in Noravanq canyon. The sky with heavy clouds couldn't brake our optimism that good weather may come.

We set off at 11 a.m. instead of 9am, so to give the weather some chance to get fair. Finally the sun rays were noticed somewhere in the sky, however, we got the canyon and started climbing the rout “Kret” it started raining again. Even so… :) we managed to climb the routes “Kaitsak” 20m, and ”Danak” 60m, also.

I would like to warn those who want to climb “Danak” in what follows: there were lots of holds breaking on left crack of the second pitch, though I had climbed it on May 2007, but at that time that part of the rock seemed to be more solid. And there are also some blocks lying freely on the shelf of the beginning of the third pitch of it.

During both of the times of climbing “Danak” I have chosen the line left from the crack on the third pitch at the same time escaping the second bolt. This way you have the deep pendulum chance till you reach the top anchor but your way gets funnier to face climb than climbing by a broken crack.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.uptherocks.com/index.php/uptherocks-archive/145-sport-climbing-in-noravanq-canyon-danak-kret-kaitsak#sigProId5a7061d752

Details: Category: Rock Climbing; Published: 20 April 2009

WE FLY CROWS

We choose Black Diamond

MOUNTAIN GUIDING

Rock and Ice climbing

"Spitak" rescue team’s climbing Noravanq canyon

With the "Spitak" Rescue Center's young team, we went to further explore the Noravank (Gnishik) canyon.
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.”
Revival WI4, 33m

Our friend, photographer Hayk Barseghyan, had found this amazing part of Akhuryan gorge, and suggested it to us for ice climbing.
First Noravanq climbing this season

This time we went to climb the route "Soyuz", a 4-pitch route in Noravank (Gnishik).

Mountaineering and Backcountry skiing

“Zangezour” FA on NE buttress of Mt Khoustoup 3201m

In the night of Oct 24 we met with Vladimir Belousov in Zvartnots airport, Yerevan.
Recce ski-touring on Mt Aragats

With an aim to explore a new Ski-tour route for Geographic Travel Club Andranik Miribyan, John Clinton and me set off to the village Aragats.
Rocky Mountains, US trip_N3

Three routes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Petit Grepon and two on Longs Peak.
Heli-skiing in Armenia

On March 17-24, the program of heli-skiing in Armenia runs with sunny weather and good snow.