After the story about the canyon Nevidio, Bogutovsko stream and Nožica, to the readers of Renome we represent another pearl of which is known very little, the canyon of the river Međuriječke on the Rumija mountain.
We continue the story of the hidden parts of the Montenegrin nature. In first place are its the mountain canyons and cliffs, who are challenging not only for the adventurers, but are also great potential for people who are seriously involved in testing and registration of space which in today's modern world is an absolute mega trend: extreme or adrenaline sports. After the story about the canyon Nevidio, Bogutovskog’s stream and Nožice, to Renome’s readers we represent another pearl of which is known little, the canyon of the river Međuriječka on the Rumija mountain.
Rumija is a mountain which connects the sea and the lake, the sky and the earth, and brings together centuries and religions. Rumija is the sacred Montenegrin mountain, which remembers saints and warriors, kings and vassals, the mountain which history is still causing controversy. Rumija, like no other mountain or place in Montenegro, cherishes tradition for centuries, and the memory for the Holy King Jovan Vladimir, who kept his little kingdom at the crossroads of the great empires in the late tenth and early eleventh century. His cross, a gift from the Bulgarian King Vladislav, who was holding in his hands when he was executed in 1016, even today all the faithful people of all religions who live on the slopes of this mountain, at Trojčins day takes the cross out on the highest top of Rumija preserving custom and tradition of the challenges of the new time.
And as the people from this region sees spiritual heights which pursued in the eternal battle between the material and spiritual, in that way every visitor at the first contact with her eternal beauty, experiences a feeling that nowhere else can be felt. A feeling that is on the border between the natural and the spiritual, the current and the timeless. All this is the motive that people with different interests come to Rumija. Uncovering its beauty, the visitors discover primal connection with nature, and her, on the edge of urbanity, they return to themselves and their ancient beginnings.
No story of Rumija can be told without its holy martyr king, without history, without its history, without the many legends and songs that defy oblivion and transience. It is sung and painted; it is the main hero of many art works. It seems that there is nothing new to say or write about it. But that is just on the first sight. Rumija, as few of the mountains in Montenegro, provides plenty of space for enthusiastic hiking and outdoor activities for discovering its secrets and its hidden corners, where the adrenaline reaches the maximum. One of the secrets are its canyons, which until recently were unknown, even for people who deal with various aspects of mountain activities.
Rumija only seems as a waterless mountain. In fact, only its northern hill-side, which descends to the Skadar Lake is waterless, while the southern side facing the sea it is furrowed with some unusual canyons: Rikavać, Perin stream, Vruća river ... The most challenging among them, although this is only a subjective judgment by the author of this text, the canyon of the river Međuriječka.
When the canyon Međuriječki was discovered, few years ago by the pioneer of canyoning in our country, Raško Simović, only a small number of people have enjoyed his incredible magic and spectacular nature. This canyon is a true jewel among the canyons and a fantastic potential for people involved in canyoning, and thus occupies a high position as a touristic potential for adrenalin addicts, not only because of his unique and inimitable compositions, but also because of the pretty easy access and the closeness of the sea.
The canyon Međuriječki is located on the southern hillside of Rumija, on the border with the municipalities of Bar and Ulcinj. The access to the canyon is from the main road Bar-Ulcinj. Before the first tunnel on this road turn left and reach the village Međuriječ. Where the road reaches the highest point, the car should be left and walk ahead towards the canyon. On a barely visible trail the canyon’s entrance is quickly reachable. And here at the beginning, starts the adventure so it is necessary to be prepared for a rush of adrenaline. This canyon does not offer any chance in getting used to all the harsh and dangerous details, because from the entrance till the exit there is a continued action of different details which take your breath away , details that take over your senses. The first pitch is also the longest and is 31 meters. The canyon has almost ten others in range from 5 to 30 meters. Regarding the fact that the canyon is unequipped with fixed installations, visitors can use only natural anchorages and security, the passage is not recommended for amateurs and beginners to experienced canonists.
Under the powerful waterfalls there are pools, some of them are deep over six feet and allows jumping from the rocks from a height of seven meters or more. The water in these pools is emerald-green, and can also be seemed some specimens just as crabs and fishes. After the river spreads and calms a little, again quickly turns into a wild and uncontrollable force that is hard to defy. Here the power does not help much; the only thing that stands as a disposal to human that is going to find himself in it is the experience and patience.
The rocks in the canyon are covered with sludge, deposited for centuries, so an extreme caution is necessary. The sludge is a natural material, unstable and susceptible to breakage. The witless stones, mosses of various colors, powerful roar of the waterfalls, the conscious knowing that that is the only way out at the end of the canyon and there is no back, at the same time causes excitement and a positive dose of fear. Who can not controll the rationally deliberation in such a rush of adrenaline, it's better not to enter into the canyon. Besides the slippery rocks, the lack of safe anchorages for insurance, the greatest threats are the powerful waterfalls falling over hanging rocks. If you're not fully contagious, it is possible to happen what already happened to the author of these text: two times I was flipped by the strong squirt of water bumping my head and with all my power I have tried to prevent a quick get away and catch a breath. If in such situation prevails panic, then the enjoyment turns into suffering. But this is just a warning that with no previous experience, adequate equipment and a good guide it is not appropriate to go on an adventure ...
(Read the complete text of the printed issues of Renome number 6).
Written by: Milan Radović
Photo by: Zoran Prljević
The interested for touring through the canyon Međuriječ or any other canyon in Montenegro, can find informations and guiding services of experienced canyoning and mountain guides on the web site: www.visokogorcicg.com
