From a dream to reality on the summit of Ararat

The dream of climbing Mount Ararat was always in my mind, but for a long time it seemed unrealistic. I made the decision at the end of 2024, when I was writing my wishlist for the next year. After that, every day I looked at the Ararat from the window of my workspace, and said to myself: “One day I’ll be on that peak”. From the moment I made a decision, I started preparation: I ordered all the essential items, and started to participate in hikes more often. My workspace is on the 7th floor. I walked up every morning, and when I was asked why, I half-jokingly answered: “I’m getting ready for Ararat”. I understood that it was a small thing, but I did it seriously and dutifully. 

Difficulties and the faith on the way of the ascent.

I knew it wouldn’t be easy, both physically and emotionally. The reality was just that: difficult but not surprising. Since I was prepared for the ordeal from the start, coming to terms with the difficulties wasn’t a shock to me. At first, when I met people who had already climbed Ararat, I tried to understand the level of difficulty through questions.

But at some point I realized that ‘difficult’ is very subjective, and from that moment on I decided to simply accept that, yes, it’ll be difficult for me, and to believe that I’ll overcome it. 

From the impossible to the possible

When we reached the first camp, I was already quite tired and exhausted. At that moment, I lifted my gaze toward the second camp and then to the summit, and for a moment everything seemed impossible. I couldn’t imagine that I would be able to reach that height. That moment was one of emotional overcoming for me: I forced myself not to think about it and told myself, “You can do it.”

On the way from the second camp to the summit, my emotions made me cry, and when I reached the snowy section of Mount Ararat, I began to cry louder and walk toward my dream. Our guide, Chris, was joking, saying, “Save a few tears so you can cry at the summit.” I realized that I had already covered most of the route and that there was no longer an option not to reach the summit, but my strength was already depleted. It turned out that there is always strength, if only you believe in yourself.

One step closer to the summit of my dream

My thoughts gave me strength more than anything else. I devoted myself completely to the journey to Mount Ararat, and after every step I told myself: “Diana, you’re one step closer to the summit of your dream.” But the greatest source of strength and inspiration, of course, was the faith of my family and loved ones. When it felt like I couldn’t go on anymore, I remembered how many people were waiting to hear my “I’ve reached the summit,” and I kept moving forward.

Standing on the summit is hard to put into words. Even now, when I think back, I feel emotional again. As I took the final steps, I kept asking myself, “Did I really do this?” Happiness, pride, fulfillment, freedom everything blended together. On the summit of Mount Ararat, I truly felt that I had accomplished what I had waited for and believed in for so long. I didn’t even think about the descent; I was confident that reaching the summit would also give me the strength to make it back down.

“Changing life by 5165” is not just an expression for me it is a reality. I love traveling, but the “journey” to Ararat cannot be compared to anything else. It revealed a kind of strength and endurance within me that I never even knew I had. After Ararat, I know myself better; I surprised myself and proved that everything is possible. My emotions are still very warm and fresh, but I believe that what Ararat gave me will have a truly transformative impact on my life.

After Ararat — Chasing New Dreams

If there are people who are still thinking about climbing Mount Ararat, I would tell them not to doubt, to turn the thought into steps, and to move forward. One day you will thank yourself for that decision, because it is during the ascent of Ararat that you will see the most beautiful people and sunsets.

The first mountain I ever climbed was Khustup. Even though the ascent was quite difficult for me, I was still endlessly amazed by Khustup’s beauty. I remember that afterward, when someone told me they were going to climb Ararat, I was surprised and couldn’t even imagine that one day I would be one of those “someones.”After Ararat, because of exhaustion, I used to say, “That’s it, no more 5000+ mountains,” but just a few days after returning, I was already searching online for information about Elbrus: we’ll see, we’ll see.

In conclusion, I want to say that Ararat was my dream, and it came true. While descending the mountain, we were discussing who had remembered to make a wish at the summit. And at that moment, I realized that my dream was Ararat itself, and on the summit I was simply becoming aware of it and living through its fulfillment.

Diana Tavadyan

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