Mina Markovič: Zadnjih 5 ali 6 let sem v dneh okoli novega leta preživela teden ali dva na prostem, pri plezanju in raziskovanju različnih krajev in plezališč. Prvih nekaj let sem bila v Španiji, lansko leto pa sem se preusmerila v nove, morda malo manj znane tuje ali neznane lokacije ... (angl.)
Outdoor experience and climbing in Jordan
Mina Markovič: For last 5 or 6 years I have a habit, to spend week or two around new year outdoor, climbing and exploring different places and crags. First few years, I have choose Spain, but last years I am more oriented into new, maybe little more foreign or 'unknown' locations.
My main point is to visit the place, meet with locals, share my knowledge, experiences and advices about climbing and sure – try local routes and with spreading informations and good word about the place also help the local community to develop climbing and culture around it even more.
Why I am also doing this is, to make a switch for competitions, experience new places, adventure, and all kind of happiness that climbing, travelling and being outdoor can offer to you. I have visited this country two years ago for lead world cup in Amman (2011). I have very nice memories to this trip, not just because of winning the comp in Climbat gym, but also on unforgettable experience by visiting Petra and saw many rocks and potential to climb offers this area.
Already than, I have really liked the atmosphere of country and how kind, open and generous are people there. I need to say, that my first impression was not wrong and I am glad, that I have got the opportunity and decided to join Klemen Bečan (his wife, photographer and my boyfriend) on trip in Jordan.
I think, we all have experienced many things that climbing and spending time outdoor can offers to you (and also, how adidas outdoor collection can make it much easier and comfortable :P ).
We have spend first week of our trip on south, in desert area 'Wadi rum'. This climbing place offers an unimaginable amount and potential for new routes, from trad to sport multi-peach routes, average sport climbing and bouldering on all kinds or rock structure and source (from sandstone to granite).
Here we did some all around exploring boudering, many hiking and explorations of place and nature. We (Klemen) also bolted and did (FA) of one sport route in granite, we found and climbed the hardest sport multi-peach route in the area (Glory 8a+; 6a,6c,8a(+),7c,6c), I have also tried 'trad' climbing (-it was first time for me and I have really enjoyed this experiece!) and many more .. Sleeping in the desert, driving with 4x4 jeeps, cooking on fire and talking with very king and open local Bedouins is just somethins more to add.
Other week, we have moved more north, to capital city Amman and climbing areas around Ajlun (cca. 1 hour driving from Amman). We were kindly excepted and hosted to stay overnight at local bouder gym and main meeting point for hiking, canyoning and other outdoor activities in this area, office of Desert fox company (thank you Hakim :).
At north, there are many sport climbing areas around Ajlun, some of them are already bolted and cleaned, many more re still waiting for that. So, we wanted to do some sport climbing, bolt new routes, explore the area and come in connection with with Amman's sport climbing community to share the experience, knowledge and our view about climbing.
We spend many days outdoor, sleeping in the cave, bolting, cleaning and climbing during the day . (ok, I have admit, that I have did not bolted my own new route, but Klemen, Anja and Luka did so).
We were doing so from morning and till the sun did not get down. Than, it was time to do a fire to cook a tea and dinner, as we have lerned before from the locals ... At this point, I would also like to give a big thans to locals, for helping us during this stay with bringin water, fresh fruits, bread, batteries other supply for work during our stay in Ajlun.
At the end of our stay, we left the are with call it 'little new crag', some projects and also some new routes. Maybe to metion also very nice new line, Jordan Expres (8b) in which I did 2nd accent (and Klemen FA)...
Rock on the nort is very solid and quality, routes are very good bolted and offers sport climbing experience and challange for all level of climbers. I think, here in Jordan everyone can find a challange, new and/or unforgettable outdoor experience and chllange for himself! :)
At the momment, when I am writing this, I am already (for quite a while) oriented into treining and preparation for new season ... So, there are more news and upadtes comming for sure :)
Mina Markovič