Six years ago, it was just an old, unsightly quarry next to a gas station that most people drove past without a second glance. But I stopped. I saw walls hidden beneath a layer of rubble and dirt, and a plan began to take shape in my mind: a vision of a climbing area just a stone’s throw from Prague, where even families with children could go climbing.

The journey from that initial idea to the opening of the venue took more than six years. And it certainly wasn’t a walk in the park.

Forrest Gump in Davle

It all started at city hall. Fortunately, the mayor was on board, and the city of Davle gave us the green light. At that moment, I felt a bit like Forrest Gump - I just started running (or rather, digging), and more and more enthusiastic people gradually began to join my vision. Slowly, among the bushes, nettles, and from beneath the layers of dirt, the first solid slabs began to peek out. Beneath them, access paths, stairs, and terraces were taking shape to ensure safe access and a safe environment for the children. We cleared away piles of rubble and planted trees.

“I think you’ve bitten off more than you can chew.”

That’s exactly what I heard from one climber. He probably didn’t believe us, but we knew we could do it!

Tons of dirt and 200 trips up the hill with a jackhammer

If you imagine route-setting as simply drilling bolts into bare rock, that was definitely not the case in Davle. For example, in the Bílý tesák sector, we had to “excavate” up to a meter of rock in some places to reach compact, solid rock that would be safe to climb on.

In the Černá dáma sector, an excavator had to be brought in to haul away an incredible 28 Tatra truckloads of soil so we could level the slope and create a safe space and facilities for climbers and their children

More than 200 times we had to haul a heavy jackhammer with its power unit up to the rocks and spent countless hours with pickaxes and shovels in hand.

Only then were we rewarded with the “cherry on top” at the end - the actual bolting of the routes!

Austrian standards in the Czech Republic

Our main target audience is families with children. We want climbing to be accessible and easy to navigate. That’s why, at Davle Climbing Park, you’ll find route maps on boards under each sector, just as is customary in modern climbing areas in Austria.

Grand Opening: May 30!

More than 6 years of our work will culminate on May 30, when we officially open the Davle Climbing Park to the public. Come see what can be created when you have a vision and a group of enthusiastic people who aren’t afraid of hard work.

With this article, I would very much like to thank not only the town of Davle, which financed all the materials used and the costs associated with, for example, excavation and the removal of soil and debris, but above all the volunteers who contributed to the creation of this area in their free time and completely free of charge. Especially to one enthusiast who wishes to remain anonymous and who spent an incredible 350 days working on the landscaping here! Without him, the opening of this area would have been significantly delayed. Thanks a lot, buddy!!

You can find all the details and info about the routes (not only) at the Davle Climbing Park on my website:

www.jankares.com

We look forward to seeing you at the climbing wall!


















Bílý tesák (White Fang)