March in Bulgaria is a strange month for weather. From blazing sunshine and glorious temperatures one day to snow and sub zero temperatures the next, and back again!
Luckily for the caver’s of the Bulgarian Cave Society, Rakitovo Branch the sun was shining! Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th of march.
Were the two chosen days for the rock climbing training. On the cliffs behind the ‘Old Clock Tower’ in the Town of Rakitovo we assembled and work began on fixing the ropes to the cliff face.
arch. Were the two chosen days for the rock climbing training. On the cliffs behind the ‘Old Clock Tower’ in the Town of Rakitovo we assembled and work began on fixing the ropes to the cliff face.
There are two routes, the first starts on a gentle slope which leads to a cliff edge, once over the edge there is a transfer spot to aid with the training followed by a short drop to the bottom.
The second route is a high cliff face with a more or less straight decent, excellent for muscle training on ascending with a foot pedal.
The younger members with the aid of Stoycho, Kristian and Dobromira learned how to kit up, the names of all their equipment, rope technique and and basic use while practising on the first ropes gentle slope, you can see on their faces how much they enjoyed it.
Other members with some rope and climbing experience made their first descents and ascents on a cliff face and all did very well!!
All in all it was a fantastic weekend, loads learned, experience gained and all under a glorious warm sunshine. I think we are all looking forward to the next time!
