Climbing Ararat was my one true dream

Mount Ararat has been part of my life from the very beginning, a presence that has accompanied me every single day. My love for Ararat was passed down from my father, taking root in me back in childhood. For a long time, the decision to climb it was already there, clear and steady, yet always postponed, perhaps only now the moment has truly arrived. Deep inside, climbing Ararat was never just a goal or a wish to be achieved; it has always been a quiet, deeply personal dream.

The most profound moments of my life

I never expected the ascent to be so emotional, yet it became one of the deepest and most unforgettable experiences of my life. What stayed with me most were the people the warmth of new friendships formed in just a few days. Drawn together by a shared purpose and the same path ahead, we felt close almost instantly. The journey itself was carried by quiet support and genuine kindness toward one another, a human connection that gave us strength with every step upward.

From the very first moments, I was fully present, deeply and consciously engaged in the journey, trying to savor and preserve every passing moment. In the early stages of the ascent, the emotions were quieter, gradually intensifying as we moved closer to the summit. Yet the most difficult and emotionally charged part came at the very end — the realization of having to let go. With each step downward, I felt myself moving further away from that sense of happiness, a feeling that still, to this day, calls me back.

This kind of happiness is never easily earned

Even in the most exhausting and difficult moments, I kept smiling, meeting every challenge in silence. The path I was on was one of self-overcoming, and my only goal was to reach the summit, because happiness like this never comes without effort.

My final steps toward the summit felt almost weightless, as if I were floating. I felt no strain at all, my heart was racing, its rhythm filling my ears, while tears of joy streamed down my face.

There is no mountain greater than Ararat

After climbing it, my life felt divided into two, before Ararat and after Ararat. Life after Ararat became more conscious, calmer, filled with inspiration and a deeper love for living. During the climb, I learned the value of “small steps” in every aspect of life. without them, reaching the summit would have been impossible. Naturally, the journey strengthened both my willpower and physical endurance, leaving me with the profound sense that I had truly overcome myself.

Ararat was a path of self-conquest. “One of the only mountains better than the ones you’ve climbed are the ones you’ve yet to explore,” one of my favorite poets once said. But having stood on Ararat, I am convinced that no mountain is greater for me, and for every Armenian.

Through my ascent, I tried to capture the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual journey, without focusing on the physical struggle. I hope that every Armenian drawn to Ararat can feel the same conquering themselves along the way. And I will continue to carry my love for Ararat in my heart, as something eternal.

Anna Abrahamyan