Tijesno Canyon Drill & Chill Climbing and Highlining Festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina

New sport climbing areas with a massive potential seem to be springing up like mushrooms. The most recent example is the Tijesno Canyon in Bosnia and Herzegovina which, for ten days as of next weekend, will host the second international meeting 'Drill & Chill Climbing and Highlining Festival'.

Eroded by the River Vrbas, the Tijesno canyon is still in its early development stage and this is why the local climbers have organised the festival aimed at - as the name suggests - not only climbing and highlining, but also bolting new routes.

During last year’s first festival 82 new routes were bolted between grades 5a and 7b, as well as a host of difficult projects (estimated up to 9a) and multi-pitch routes up to 200m high. The organisers hope this great work will continue this year in order to develop "some of the jewels of the almost endless rock potential of this small country."

The event organizers explained further: “Rock Climbing has a long tradition in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) but as a result of the difficult conditions caused by the Yugoslavian wars, it came to a pause and started again slowly from 2000. In contrast to most parts of Europe, climbing in Bosnia and Herzegovina is still mostly a subcultural activity which is relatively unknown locally and underrepresented on a European dimension, thus slowing the development of the sport."

The festival is open to all, registration costs only 40 Euros and in addition to meals includes all the material for bolting new routes, generously provide by AustriAlpin and Kinobi.

INFO: www.drillandchillfestival.com e facebook