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.
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https://www.uptherocks.com/index.php/uptherocks-archive/145-sport-climbing-in-noravanq-canyon-danak-kret-kaitsak#sigProId5a7061d752
The dreams seems to be really powerful. How else would you describe your first climbing trip in US, where Jim Donini drives you to Yosemite, Indian Creek, Red Rocks, Black Canyon and Eldorado canyon..?
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.

FA of a line in Hrazdab gorge that used to be for a top rope and for rescue training.
Club Alpin Français du pays de Gex youth team was hosted by the Armenian Alpine Club at the end of August for a rock climbing program in Noravank canyon and climbing the mount Aragats.

On cold November 22, with Dani and Lucia I finally went to the Granite Circus, which they had discovered a year ago.

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!

On March 17-24, the program of heli-skiing in Armenia runs with sunny weather and good snow.
One of the best seasons in terms of snow abundance and stability during the past decade in Armenia. Although without ski-touring tourists this winter, we made it quite fun anyway!
8/38 Margaryan str., 0036 Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Tel: +374-93-337-937, +374-93-318-006.