Discriptions of area: Guamka, south of Russia

19.02.2010 14:03

Description of Guamka area. Rocks and rock climbing in Guamka. Recommendations for the trip.

Guamka is young climbing region in south of Russia.

Climbing Federation of Russia started to develop this area 4 years ago and now Guamka climbing region has about 150 routes for climbing with a rope from 4a till 8c category.

International Rock Climbing Festival in Guamka is organized by Climbing Federation of Russian every year in August.

View Guamka climbing area in a Google map.

Location, how to get there.

Guamka is a small village in the South of Russia.
There are small village houses, 2 stores and several hotels.

The flow of tourists (especially on weekends) in the beautiful valley of Guamka does not weaken either summer or winter.

Shops.
You can easily buy simple food or have a meal in the cafe (about 5€ for lunch).
Also there are tables in camping where you can cook if you have a camping gas.
There are no sport shops in Guamka. The nearest sportshop is located in Krasnodar city.

Clothing and weather.
Typically, Southern Russia has very hot summer (till 35-40 degrees).
But Guamka gorge and cliffs are hidden by dense forest, so it can be cool so you'd better have a jacket.

Don't forget to bring swimsuites for swimming in a cold clear mountain river or for sunbathing in a day of rest.

It's necessary to bring sport shoes for hiking to rock area and walking.

Communications.
There is no internet in the Guamka village.
Several internet cafes are located in Apsheronsk city (about 1.5 hours drive from Guamka).
You may buy a local simcard for phone in Krasnodar or Apsheronsk cities.

Guamka Rocks and rock climbing.
Breed of rocks is limestone.
The relief of rocks is diverse: from the vertical walls of 25-30m (sector "Matuzka") with easy routes to short (7-12 metres) rocks with overhang (sector "Sukhaya balka") with routes from 6b to 8c.

The character of Guamka area is a deep forest and dampness. Most rock massifs have a shadow from trees.
These properties allows to climb in the summer in the cool and comfort but some sectors can be dry a long time after rain.
Rain can be a problem for those who wants to climb the routes from 7c.
Easy routes (till 6b) are located on the verticals, have more sun and they become dry quickly.

Another feature of climbing in Guamka is necessity of good shoes (not slippers) for comfortable approach to the rocks.

By the end of 2009 the Guamka area has been equipped with approximatly 150 routes from 4a to 8c category.
Most of the routes cleared and signed, but, of course, as with any new area, little stones can fall down and it's better to have a helmet especially for children.

Categories of climbing.
All simple categories is checked and updated every year, especially after a large number of people at the annual Festival of Climbing.

Hard routes (from 8b) need additional update sometime. If you will climb these categories please let us know your opinion and we will send it to our Climbing Federation.

Guide-book you can buy during the Climbing festival.