The sheer size of the rock faces on either side of me was gloriously overwhelming. The early morning sun had yet to rise high enough to light up the canyon, resulting in a shadowy peacefulness as I slowly made my way deeper into the park. The small babbling river to my right was deceiving; it’s power had helped shaped the landscape, resulting in the unique geological formations. It soon became clear why Paklenica National Park was a world-class climbing destination in Europe: steep rock formations, easy access, and fun grippy features.

My first full day in Croatia did not disappoint! I was impressed at the availability of quality rock and the ease at which I could pick a space on the wall and start moving vertically. I enjoyed pausing frequently to take in the surrounding mountains and to appreciate the magnitude of rock.

Even the easy routes were amusing; there was enough variety to keep me entertained as I knocked out a bunch of climbs. The skin on my hands gave out before my muscles tired, yet I pushed a little harder and tried one more climb that rose up on the river side of the canyon.

By 2 pm, I was delightfully exhausted. Off the main trail, I picked up a cold beverage at a small snack shack and rested by the river watching other climbers tackle their projects. It was shady, and I dipped my bare feet into the cold running water to cool down.

High peaks and deep gorges never felt so grand! #ThanksCroatia