We fancied a change of scene from Osp so headed south over the border into Croatia. There has been a lot of development around the town of Buzet, with half a dozen new crags in the last few years. A return visit to Kanjon yielded the first 6c of the trip – and it isn’t that I haven’t been trying! The grading really is stiff, probably worth a letter grade over much of Spain and France.

Two more days at Kompanj, just above the tiny village of the same name, and near the appropriately named village of Roc, provided further repair to the damaged ego. Krankenhaus 6c + and Asylantin 7a are both outstanding 35m lines of sustained vertical climbing on crimpy holds – much more my style, and still not soft touch.

Our base for the last few days has been the campsite at Raspadalica, on the ridge overlooking Buzet. Primarily a parapenters’ campsite, this is a really special place. Our hosts, Nevio and Ana, were tremendously welcoming despite the fact that they weren’t strictly open until May. The views are outstanding, the facilities are charming – basic but immaculately clean, and the ” chill out ” area next to the newly created pool is a really nice place for a sundowner. We’ll be back!

Enjoying a sundowner

Kompanj

Chill out space

Sunset from Raspadalica

The nearest village to Raspadalica is wildly inappropriately named!