Georgia rockclimbing
MCS AlexClimbRock climbing in Georgia in spring
Rock climbing in Georgia in autumn
The spread of the popularity of rockclimbing around the world did not pass by a small, but very beautiful and infinitely fertile country - Georgia. It would be strange to think that in the most mountainous, proud, fertile and abundant country of the South Caucasus there would not be a place for this sport.
Old-timers say that it is enough for a flowering garden to appear in Georgia, one flying bird is enough to drop a random seed, deciding to relieve itself in flight.
Something like this happened with rockclimbing in Georgia - of course, not literally, no one was shitting from the air in the area of the botanical garden in Tbilisi - everything bloomed beautifully there without additional fertilizers!
And the rocks of the Botanical Garden were mastered by rockclimbers - mountaineers from the immemorial Soviet times of long ago. But for a real breakthrough and the onset of the "golden era" of rockclimbing, an "engine" was needed. And it was found in the form of my good friend Guga Dabrundashvili – a good person who is selflessly devoted to the idea of rockclimbing and laid the most reliable foundation for the development and prosperity of rockclimbing in Georgia.
Thanks to the efforts of this one true enthusiast, rockclimbing in Georgia was firmly set on its feet and given the opportunity to develop into what it has became in Europe long tome ago. A popular type of hobby and outdoor activity, an exciting and safe outdoor sport, as well as in the format of a small, but interesting and very necessary business.
The potential of the territory of Georgia for the development of rockclimbing is quite large. This mountainous country has an incredible mass of advantages and opportunities, both for rockclimbing and for its "senior" activity - for mountaineering. Despite the fact that mountaineering in Georgia has a huge historical base and is inextricably linked with the world history of this sport, rockclimbing in Georgia has lagged behind in development.
But everything has its time - I have no doubt that in the foreseeable historical future, hospitable Georgia will become a "second home" for numerous fans and just lovers of conquering the rocky verticals.
Today, rockclimbing is quite popular in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, both among the local residents and for many foreign tourists visiting Georgia during their holidays.
Of the climbing opportunities of the city, I can note the presence of several quite decent indoor rockclimbing gyms, an interesting natural climbing sector in the Botanical Garden of Tbilisi - a small, but very cozy and popular. Also some long bolted routes equipped with holds can be climbed on the "Monument" - although artificial climbing site, but allowing interesting opportunities of climbing in the fresh air and enjoying the view of Tbilisi, especially from a height of 40 meters.
Outside of Tbilisi, there are obvious areas in Georgia that are already quite developed in terms of rockclimbing, some with basic infrastructure for comfortable stay and additional activities. For example, Chiatura and Sveri - these locations have grown into completely independent and self-sufficient areas for rockclimbing in the format of more than one day. The number of routes and their diversity in categories makes visiting these locations interesting for rockclimbers of various levels of training.
And the presence of the related activities - via ferrata, caves, historical monuments (this is Georgia!) - allows people to easily schedule their stay in Georgia in the format of a multi-day rockclimbing training trip.
Immersion in the color of rural life in the Georgian province, combining interesting excursions and trips to the natural and historical sights – that is a good opportunity to spend interesting and useful time both for enthusiastic rockclimbers and for a much wider range of lovers of active and exciting recreation, with elements of sports and " extreme".
In the country of khinkali and wine abundance, rockclimbing has found fertile ground in order to take root, germinate and bear the first fruits. Now you can fully enjoy these fruits - like all over the world, the rockclimbing community of Georgia is an international, open to everyone, friendly and very positive society.
Unfortunately, Georgia today had to be excluded from our rockclimbing schedule due to the unstable political situation and the growing criminal activity. But I believe that troubled times will end and we will enjoy again the friendliness and hospitality of the most beautiful and unique country of South Caucasus - Georgia, or Sakartvelo, as the name of this country sounds in the language of its inhabitants.
The author of the text, photos and climbing programs in Georgia - Alex Trubachev