New Bolts for the Albanian Climbing Festival

In order to help the growth of the local climbing community, I'm seeking $250 to buy bolts and hangers to establish new routes during their Climbing Festival from May 3-5.


My name is Aaron Gerry, a freelance writer and climber . This is a story about building a climbing community after Communism.

In a country that was once shut off to the world, climbing is making Albania an international port of call.


Albania could be the next Leonidio (Greece) or Geyikbayiri (Turkey), that is, a Mediterranean paradise with limitless climbing potential. But today, the country only has about 100 bolted routes.


For comparison, the Red River Gorge in the U.S., one of the most popular climbing destinations, has 1,989 total routes listed on Mountain Project, all in a tiny geological area less than 0.4% the size of Albania!


Up until the 1960s, Albania was open to East Germany and the USSR which is how Albanians learned aid climbing. Then the border was closed and interest waned.


Now, 29 years after the fall of Communism, climbing is growing again thanks to a small collective of climbers. The impassioned group opened the country’s first rock climbing gym, Rock Tirana , in 2012 and launched the first ever climbing festival in the country (they think) shortly thereafter. 


Through the gym, instructors coach over 60 children who are taking to the plastic and rock like, well, kids to candy. The second generation youth movement actually outnumbers the adult climbers in the country about 3:1. They are beginning to compete in local and international competitions, so the future is bright.




Bright like the turquoise Ionian Sea next to Gjipe or the sun that shines down on the slabby projects in Bovilla! The crags are gorgeous and full of possibility. (Seriously, you should come and check them out for yourselves)


This notoriety attracted Adam Ondra, arguably the best climber in the world, to visit in 2018. He freed (successfully climbed) "Four For Glory" a 5.14c (8c+), the hardest route in the country. The word is getting out, yet this is just the beginning.  


That’s where you come in.

You can help create new climbing lines and support the growing community in Albania for years to come.


The goal is to raise $250 in order to purchase 20 stainless steel bolts and hangers , which translates roughly into 2 new climbing routes. I’m heading to the Albanian Climbing Festival from May 3-5 to meet the local organizers, climb, and bring the equipment.


All the money raised will go towards buying bolts and supporting the Albanian Climbing Festival.




Why am I doing this?

For me, climbing has been a guiding light. In 2018, I began sport climbing and found fulfillment, confidence, and frankly, had a blast. It has been years since I’ve taken up an activity that makes me feel so engaged (with myself and others), and which gets me so psyched to learn, grow, and explore.


These types of experiences had become few and far between. I left startups after seven years of being in a co-founder or early employee role, and subsequently felt a bit lost as a result of losing my identity of “entrepreneur.” The upshot was that it forced me to reconsider what really mattered. I've since tried things I’d wanted to for years, including pursuing climbing more intensively and building a career in freelance writing  to support this.

This is my way to give back to the community in a small fashion.


Rewards

For each donation amount, you will receive the following:

$5: A photo from the festival posted on social media (tagging you), with a custom "thank you!" message.
$10: All of the above + a sticker from the festival
$25: All of the above + submit a route name (we will choose names from all submissions)
$50: All of the above + a custom postcard with a picture from the festival
$100: All of the above + a t-shirt from the festival or climbing guidebook
$250: All of the above + you get to exclusively name a route


As supporters, you will directly contribute to the developing climbing experience in Albania.


Donations of any amount makes a difference, even $1 helps! I'd really appreciate your support! 

Best regards,
- Aaron