Amora Gedel (Addis Ababa) Rock Climbing

Ethiopia's first sport climbing crag, Amora Gedel (Hawk's Cliff) is nearly 500 meters wide and 50 meters high and has very easy access from Addis Ababa. The rock is basalt and offers sport, mixed and traditional climbs. All routes published here have bolted anchors, some have chains, some have rope anchors. See each route description for more info.

The entire cliff is in the shade after midday, and the quality of the rock is high with few broken pieces and weak flakes. There are some plants growing on the rock as well as lichen, but as the rock sees more traffic, the plants will disappear.

There is a small village called Kile above the cliff (20 minute vertical hike from the climbs) where climbers can camp with a local family for 40 birr per tent or if you carry your own water, you can camp below the cliff at the big fig tree for free. The village has access to clean water from a nearby well and pump. In Kile, climbers can also purchase local bread (injera), bottled beer, and other delights.

Please respect the local community, and stay on the trails as the farmers are growing wheat/sorghum in the field at the foot of the wall. As more and more people visit this crag, the locals will become more in tune with rock climbing. Donating old equipment is a fine way to support their interest to safely climb their own walls; however, please donate equipment that is secure, especially when it comes to harnesses & ropes.

IMPORTANT*** 

In May 2017, climbers reached a new agreement with Alemayu and signed a contract at the Kaakoo kebele administrative office (Kile is one of four villages in the kebele).

The new agreement states that Alemayu will be payed 2200 ETB yearly. This covers:

-unlimited access to the cliff,

-he is responsible for our safety when it comes to rock throwing,

-he will clear the base of the cliff from vegetation after each rainy season.

The payment will be in to parts: the first after the base have been cleared, the second six months after.

NO MORE FEES ARE TO BE PAYED AT THE CLIFF.

The agreement was signed in the presence or the deputy administrative head of the kebele, and if there are any violations of the agreement, we can bring this directly to the kebele.

The money for the fee will be covered by a 200 ETB membership fee to the Addis Ababa Rock Climbing Club (AARCC)*. Any surplus funds can be used to aid the Kaakoo community, or otherwise in ways the club sees fit to promote climbing in Addis Ababa and Ethiopia. It should also be noted that we are allowed to park in the kebele compound located on the left a few hundred meters after the telecast and the sharp, left turn.

Currently a paved road is under construction, connecting Addis Ababa and the Observatory.

* AARCC is so far an informal gathering of climbers that share the joy of climbing; at Amora Gedel, Juventus Sports Club, and elsewhere in Ethiopia.

Efforts are on the way to make the club a licensed, legal body under Ethiopian law. At the time of this writing, the Climbing Club was head by Alexander Sellerholm. If you are really going to visit, you should join the FB group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/119822356270/.

Be aware that Ethiopia's rainy season usually extends from mid-May to mid-September. Climbing days are to be had if you wake up early, in June and in September. In July and August, it rarely stops raining long enough for things to dry.

Route creation began back in April 2013 and continues today. A PDF guidebook was created in 2016 and can been seen and downloaded here: https://issuu.com/ignaciacarrenog./docs/armora_gedel_guidebook.

For more info about this wall and other climbing spots around Ethiopia, contact me at nico.parco@gmail.com.

Also read more about the history of this place here: https://nicoparco.com/rock-climbing-in-ethiopia-changed-village-forever/.