Custom PDF
Directions in Google Maps
Several boulder fields are accessible by foot in the hills overlooking Yabelo town, boulders located along the asphalt road to Kenya remain to be explored, with potential for single pitch climbing
Summary
Sandstone
Description
All day sun
South
South East
Borena zone tends to be overlooked as a climbing destination, and previous expeditions focused on more high-profile area in Bale mountains, northern Ethiopia and around Addis Ababa. However, there are a number of beautiful rock formations to be explored in the Borena rangelands, from the border with Southern Ethiopia Region, all the way to the Kenyan border. Rock quality seems to vary, but sandstone is most prevalent.
Access issues
Tolerated
Accessing Borena zone tends to be challenging due to the isolation of the area. However flight to Arba Minch/Hawassa and road travel to Borena remains possible. Few foreigners visit the area and climbing is virtually unknown in Borena zone. Local pastoralists tend to be chill, despite occurrences of ethnic conflicts in the past and the occasional militia presence.
Approach
Steep hike
45-60 min
several boulder fields located on the hills surrounding Yabelo town are accessible by foot from downtown. Other sectors are unexplored to this day. Shrubby vegetation and hot weather can be annoying.
Ethic
Leave no traces, be mindful of local communities, some spots might be culturally relevant to locals so ask before.
History
First exploration of the area in September 2023.
Tags
Plan your Trip
Hello!
First time here?
theCrag.com is a free guide for rock climbing areas all over the world, collaboratively edited by keen rock climbers, boulderers and other nice folks.You can log all your routes, connect and chat with other climbers and much more...» go exploring, » learn more or » ask us a question
Mon 19 Jun
Check out what is happening in Borena.
Get a detailed insight with a timeline showing
- Ticks by climbers like you
- Discussions of the community
- Updates to the index by our users
- and many more things.
Login to see the timeline!