My life changing experience

Ever since I was a child visiting Armenia from the United States I was always left speechless by Mt Ararat’s constant presence over Yerevan. Everytime I saw the clear peak of  Ararat early in the morning I felt that one day I had to be on top of that mountain. When my girlfriend’s father mentioned that he was looking into a group that climbs Ararat I knew that was my opportunity to finally achieve that dream so many Armenians share, climbing Mt Ararat.

I was expecting it to be a long hike with a clear path to the peak, with the main challenge being fatigue and altitude sickness. I would say my expectations were correct except for there were slightly more technical sections between boulders that I had not completely expected. The feeling at the peak of Ararat however surpassed my expectations and the sense of accomplishment I had was unimaginable. 

I was engulfed with the energy

The moment I realized I was actually climbing Mt Ararat was at the first time I saw Sis from the second camp. Something about being on the mountain and seeing that I was so close to a recognizable shape that I’d only ever seen from a distance in Yerevan made me feel like a dream was coming true. It felt like finally sitting inside a car you’ve walked past everyday in a dealership showroom and finally knowing you can have it. Once I approached the peak of  Ararat all fatigue and doubt left my body and I was engulfed with the energy to stand on that peak.

The view of Armenia from the peak of Ararat sticks in my mind, the color of the rolling fields and texture of the mountain ranges resonated deep within me. I felt as if all my ancestors would be proud of the fact that I, an Armenian born in the United States, to parents born in Iran, had returned to my ancestral lands to conquer the greatest symbol of our people and gaze upon our beautiful Armenian motherland.

When I first set foot on the peak

Throughout the ascent when I felt that the fatigue was too hard to bear, I was blessed with the presence of my girlfriend’s father Romik Keshishi and his friend Alen Derpetrossian who were with me every step of the trip and encouraged me to keep taking the next step and not give up. Of course in return I encouraged them and we built on each other’s energy to conquer the mountain.

When I first set foot on the peak of  Mount Ararat, I felt as if all the weight of my pack had been lifted from my shoulders. My feet no longer felt tired, the cold in my fingers passed, and my only concern was how to take in the beauty and sense of accomplishment I felt. Immediately I wanted to walk over to a clear view of Armenia, a country I had craved to see from the peak of Ararat.

Climbing Ararat was a test of physical ability and mental strength

What I noticed most in myself was that I was able to trust my body and my training and fully block out my conscience from telling my body to quit and take a break. I was able to persist through the mental urge to give up.
I heard the story of the 10 year old boy who climbed Ararat with ArmGeo. His major accomplishment reassured me that climbing Ararat is not just a test of physical ability but a test of mental strength and commitment.

It was an honor to share this life changing experience with Armenian Geographic and the amazing climbers and guides I met on this trip. I will be forever grateful for Armenian Geographic making my dream a reality.

Devon Keshishian

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