HandiCamp 2026

Another HandiCamp took place in mid-September. Join us as we look back at this unique event, intended primarily, but not exclusively, for climbers and mountaineers with disabilities. Photos by Jan Shafhauser; report by climber Jan Pojar.

Friday evening marks the start of the 19th HandiCamp, a gathering for people with disabilities who are interested in rock climbing. We greet one another at our base camp, Milovy campsite. And those greetings come in different forms: alongside the familiar spoken ones, there are greetings in sign language, used by the deaf participants and the interpreters helping us communicate. In the end, there are 49 participants. Around the fire, the organiser, Jan Zámečník aka Zámek, explains the plans for the next day’s climbing at Drátník (Drátník crag). As Zámek speaks, either Alexandr, a longstanding member of the group, or the young interpreters translate into sign language. They are our bridges from one person to another, connecting those who communicate through sound with those who communicate visually. Tomorrow, something else will connect us all across this barrier: a rope.

Off to the crag! We set up six top ropes. Once harnesses and helmets have been handed out and the basics of belaying explained, the climbing begins, mostly with the children going first. Some have climbed before, but everyone gives it their best. The quiet is striking, with so many people gathered below a single crag. All of us on the organising team catch ourselves calling out to a deaf participant to take in the slack, look up or something similar, only to realise they cannot hear us. It occurs to me that to truly connect with another person, they need to see me. I need to move closer, look directly at them and make a real effort to be understood.

Sometimes it’s funny when we forget all this and try to get things done by shouting. Up above, the guys rig a zip line between Šedá stěna (Grey Wall) and Orlí stěna (Eagle Wall). Whoever climbs to the top zips across between the rock formations, and then we lower them to the ground. The determination of both adults and children to climb is admirable. Their joy on the zip line and excitement after being lowered from Orlí věž (Eagle Tower) are touching. By the time we’ve all had enough, a blind boy has also cruised the entire circuit. We head off for a meal, then spend a little or a lot of time chatting around the fire back at the campsite. The fire brings us together. Why? We’re warm, we’re closer to one another and… we can see each other.

Time to wake up. Getting ready and heading to Pasecké skály (Paseky Rocks) happens at a slower pace today. At the campsite, we line up for a group photo. Jan, our conscientious photographer, entertains us as he searches for the right shot. Zámek hands out stickers and other souvenirs. It’s cooler today. Staying close together helps us work better as a group, although the tiredness is noticeable. Those of us who can hear understand things better now. We climb one route after another, again enjoying that precious quiet when everything is clear and there’s no need for athousand words. Finally, we say goodbye, our eyes and faces expressing the same thing: thanks, that was great!

Jan Pojar

HandiCamp 2026

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Photos: Jan Shafhauser

INVITATION:

SINGING ROCK in cooperation with the Teiresiás Centre and other friends invites you to the 19th HandiCamp, the weekend event designed especially (but not only) for climbers and mountaineers with disabilities. This time we will meet in the Vysočina region, Czechia.

Date: weekend 11th - 13th September 2026, the event will take place in any weather conditions. If the weather forecast is really really bad, we will announce extra weekend or cancel the event.

Location: climbing areas Čtyři palice and Pasecké skály. We will meet at the Milovy camp on Friday 11th September at 7 p.m.

Transportation: individual

Accommodation: campground Milovy, in own tents or cars, the participants pay the accommodation on their own expenses

Food: your own; for those interested there will be a possibility of a common dinner on Saturday evening

Gear: sport clothing and shoes to any kind of weather (there is no good and bad weather, only good and bad equipment...) If you have your own climbing equipment, please, take it with you otherwise there will be possibility to borrow harnesses, helmets, belay devices etc. Own climbing shoes required!

SCHEDULE:

INVITATION:

SINGING ROCK in cooperation with the Teiresiás Centre and other friends invites you to the 19th HandiCamp, the weekend event designed especially (but not only) for climbers and mountaineers with disabilities. This time we will meet in the Vysočina region, Czechia.

Date: weekend 11th - 13th September 2026, the event will take place in any weather conditions. If the weather forecast is really really bad, we will announce extra weekend or cancel the event.

Location: climbing areas Čtyři palice and Pasecké skály. We will meet at the Milovy camp on Friday 11th September at 7 p.m.

Transportation: individual

Accommodation: campground Milovy, in own tents or cars, the participants pay the accommodation on their own expenses

Food: your own; for those interested there will be a possibility of a common dinner on Saturday evening

Gear: sport clothing and shoes to any kind of weather (there is no good and bad weather, only good and bad equipment...) If you have your own climbing equipment, please, take it with you otherwise there will be possibility to borrow harnesses, helmets, belay devices etc. Own climbing shoes required!

SCHEDULE: