Autumn is here
The autumn climbing season has officially arrived in Istria! Crisp mornings, cooler afternoons, and that golden light on the limestone walls make September and October some of the best months of the year to climb here.
At the very beginning of September, the spotlight was on Koper, which hosted a World Cup in lead climbing. The show was incredible, with the home crowd cheering for Janja Garnbret, who once again took the win.
The weather lately has been a little weird for this time of the year – some rain and warmer days than usual – but with autumn settling in, conditions are turning cooler and perfect for sending.
Croatian part of Istria
- Buzetski kanjon (sector Befana): Before rebolting work started, Lukasz Debowski from Poland managed the soft but beautiful Lap dance (8b). Please note: this sector is currently closed due to rebolting. More info here: Rebolting update.
Baratro & Trieste region
- In the hidden crag of Baratro, 13-year-old Nea Gržetić from Zagreb clipped the chains of her second 8a, Violenza carnale (8a).
- Leonardo Blasutig fired La peste nera (8b+), an artificial but super fun endurance testpiece right in the heart of the cave.
Slovenian Istria
- The big cave of Osp: Basia Debowska from Poland makes light work of Helihopter v omaki (8b), a crazy steep tufa classic.
- Mišja peč:
- Lovro Črep redpointed the long and crimpy Pikova dama (8b) in the center of the wall.
- Ronja Witt (Austria) and Sarah F (Austria) both sent the powerful traverse Corto (8a). Sarah also added the soft Tekila (8a) to her ticklist.
- Skedenj: In the shady amphitheater, Trieste local Luca Bacer crushed both the long Roulette (8b) and the incredibly steep El trabajo del borracho (8b+) – on the same day!
Autumn in Istria = prime climbing conditions
The season is just beginning, and the cooler, drier weather means perfect grip on tufas and crimps alike. Autumn climbing in Istria is as good as it gets!
See you on the rocks!