Արշավային պատմություններ - Armenian Geographic - ArmGeo.am

Eduard Khachatryan

armeniangeographic — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 08:03:33 +0000

I am Eduard Khachatryan. I am a programmer specialized in the development of visual components of software. I am a big fan of movies and comics, and guitar is one of my most important hobbies.

Eduard Khachatryan

I was a freshman at the university and thanks to my friends I became a part of the Scout movement. My first hiking trip was with them. We went to Marmarashen Waterfall from Gyumri (I myself am from Gyumri). The hike was not difficult, but I was very happy. I felt like I was in one of the American movies that I had seen before. Scouting played an important role in making me fall deeply in love with nature and mountains. I lost contact with the Scout movement, but I still proudly keep my uniform.

Eduard Khachatryan

“Everything in life is like climbing a mountain…”

For me hiking is an opportunity to escape from an everyday boring life. It is a chance to walk and meditate, to gain energy and inspiration. And hikers are people who love nature and mountains, in spite of everything. They know how to be in harmony with the world around them.

Eduard Khachatryan

Firstly, the mountains provide an opportunity to believe in your own strength. If we draw parallels, we will understand that everything in life is like climbing a mountain. You need to believe in yourself and in people around you, and the result will be as impressive as the views opening from the mountains peaks.

For many members of our club Lake Tsaghkari is probably one of the most beloved mountain destinations, and I am no exception. I still get goosebumps when I remember those landscapes.

How I ended up in ArmGeo club

In the near future I plan to climb Elbrus. Let’s see how it goes. Climbing Fujiyama, Kilimanjaro and a 7-day trek to the Khan Tengri base camp are still a big dream for me.

Eduard Khachatryan

My first hike with ArmGeo was to Mount Bardogh (Koghbasar). After the university was army, then career, so I didn’t hike for about 5-6 years. I was supposed to go on a business trip, but it was cancelled. It made me really angry. One of my colleagues asked me to lend him my backpack to go on a trip to Western Armenia. Without hesitation, I told him that I will not give him my backpack, because I want to join them. I registered for this trip and ended up in ArmGeo club. I still don’t understand how they agreed to take me on such difficult hiking trip.

Eduard Khachatryan

I think that you should always give yourself a chance to try something new. So just do it. If possible, wear good hiking boots and do not forget sunscreen, regardless of the season.

Members of ArmGeo Club

Eduard Khachatryan

Mery Antonyan

Anna Khachatryan

Ruben Zaqoyan

Nare Mkrtchyan

Hranush Vanesyan

Hovhannes Nazaryan

Gevorg Harutyunyan

Narine Vardanyan

Anna Khachatryan

armeniangeographic — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 09:12:45 +0000

What’s your profession? What do you do?

I am a hospitality specialist.

When and how did you decide to take part in a hiking trip for the first time? How your first hiking trip was and what kinds of emotions did you experience?

It was July, and I realized that due to the coronavirus I locked myself at home for too long. I needed to communicate with people; I needed nature and fresh air. So on the 1st of August I joined the overnight hiking trip in Ukhtasar. The hike went well, I met new people, saw many new places. I was so impressed. On that day, I decided that I will go on hiking trips more often.

Anna Khachatryan

What has changed in your life since you started hiking?

I think that after participating in hikes, I learned to be more in harmony with myself. Hiking relieve my thoughts and recharge me. After the hike, on the way home, I always think about my plans with motivation to implement them.

What do mountains give you, what are you looking for there?

Mountains give colors. You can give this word many different meanings: impressions, memories, the most beautiful sunsets, people…

What am I looking for?.. I have a lot of fears. I am looking for a stronger Anna in the mountains.

Is there a creation that you associate with mountains or hikes?

Dirty Paws by Of Monsters and Men. Those who have seen the movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” will probably understand why I associate this song with mountains.

Climbing Mount Katar / Anna Khachatryan

What was your most memorable hiking trip and what made it special?

After every hike I feel like this hike was more impressive than the last one. However, I would like to highlight the hiking trip to Al Lakes and Mount Sandukhtasar: a long road, Al Lakes, a campfire, my first night in the Delica due to the unbearable cold, views from the top of Sandukhtasar, the sunset and, of course, people.

Are there destinations that you haven’t climbed yet but have a desire to do it?

After several years of hiatus I am just starting to participate in hikes. Right now it will be easier to list the destinations I overcame than the other way around. However, I think that each next destination should be more difficult than the previous one. In the future I dream of climbing Mount Fuji in Japan.

Which are those three words that can describe your feelings during hiking trips?

Recharge, discovery, harmony.

Anna Khachatryan

What do you think, who are hikers?

There is a word “wanderlust”, which expresses a strong desire to travel and discover the world. I think that hikers are people who search and discover the world.

How did you appear in ArmGeo club?

For more than three years I followed ArmGeo’s hikes, but for various reasons did not join them. In 2019, my brother joined ArmGeo, and then I did the same. Right after this hiking trip there was no question in my head whether to participate in the next hike or not? The answer was clear – yes!

Anna Khachatryan

What advice do you have for those who want to start to go hiking but don’t dare to get out of their comfort zone and do that?

The most memorable moments in life often happen when we step out of our comfort zone.

If you are reading this and still having doubts then remember, that with every trip you skip, you miss out on a lot of memories.

Members of ArmGeo Club

Eduard Khachatryan

Mery Antonyan

Anna Khachatryan

Ruben Zaqoyan

Nare Mkrtchyan

Hranush Vanesyan

Hovhannes Nazaryan

Gevorg Harutyunyan

Narine Vardanyan

Hranush Vanesyan

armeniangeographic — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 06:56:35 +0000

What’s your profession? What do you do?

I am a linguist by profession; I work in the field of education.

When and how did you decide to take part in a hiking trip for the first time? How your first hiking trip was and what kinds of emotions did you experience?

I spent my childhood in the mountains, and reaching the top of the nearest hill was a part of our daily games. After moving to Yerevan, I began to have an urgent need for nature, which made me go to the mountains again. During the first hikes I returned to my childhood, without even noticing it. I began to realize the ideological background later, probably after my third hike, when you feel like you are confronting nature and yourself, when with your each step your heart begins to beat faster.

Hranush Vanesyan

What has changed in your life since you started hiking?

You know, now I am better prepared for the trials of life, both mentally and physically. For example, when I go somewhere, I take a small bag and put only the essentials there. This affects other aspects of life as well: you stop carrying a heavy baggage with you, and it becomes easier to separate the important from the secondary.

What do mountains give you, what are you looking for there?

I am not looking for anything in the mountains, although during our last hike we were looking for petroglyphs. You don’t need to look for anything; the mountains will give you what you need. Each mountain has something for you. It is possible that in a group of 20 people each person will perceive the same mountain in a completely different way. And who knows what or who you will find on your next trip.

Is there a creation that you associate with mountains or hikes?

Pink Floyd song Learning to fly. Every time when I reach the top, it seems to me that I can spread my wings and go a little higher.

Hranush Vanesyan

What was your most memorable hiking trip and what made it special?

Two years ago I taught in one of the Armenian villages, which is located on the mountain. Sometimes the transport did not work. In early March, it started to snow, and I found myself on the road leading up to the village. I was not in the mood for hiking, but I was sure that there will be no cars, so I decided to walk to the village through the forest. I walked for about two hours, alone with nature. I will never forget the feelings I experienced that day. I conquered nature, myself, and got rewarded with beautiful landscapes of blooming trees and snow.

Are there destinations that you haven’t climbed yet but have a desire to do it?

A little “further” I talked about what guides me when choosing a hiking destination: I am more interested in lesser-known destinations. However, among well-known destinations, I am really interested in the mountains of the Armenian Highland, which are located outside of the Republic of Armenia. Most of all, I would like to climb Mount Koghbasar. I fell in love with it through pictures and now I am waiting for the opportunity to climb it. Traveling to the mountains of Western Armenia is my favorite project from ArmGeo.

Which are those three words that can describe your feelings during hiking trips?

Harmony, freedom, connection.

Hranush Vanesyan

What do you think, who are hikers?

Hikers are people with whom you can always go on trips, no matter where.

How did you appear in ArmGeo club?

I have close friends among the members of ArmGeo, but I never went on hikes with them. I always thought that they are professionals and I would not be able to be on their level. One day one of my friends suggested to go on a three-day trip to Artsakh on his birthday. He said that we will not walk that much and I agreed to join him. To my surprise, for two days we hardly left the car and I waited eagerly for a moment when we would finally walk. That’s when I realized that ArmGeo is not only about walking. ArmGeo is about discovering Armenia and all its corners. During this trip we discovered caves that have turned into houses. No one from our group has been there before, they only heard about the existence of this place. These experiences are the main reason that I am connected to this club: every time you can discover a new Armenia and go to places far from “civilization”, where the nature is real.

Hranush Vanesyan

What advice do you have for those who want to start to go hiking but don’t dare to get out of their comfort zone and do that?

If you have already thought about it, then do not hesitate any longer. However, be sure to start with an overnight hiking trip.

Members of ArmGeo Club

Eduard Khachatryan

Mery Antonyan

Anna Khachatryan

Ruben Zaqoyan

Nare Mkrtchyan

Hranush Vanesyan

Hovhannes Nazaryan

Gevorg Harutyunyan

Narine Vardanyan

Lianna Araqelyan

armeniangeographic — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 11:27:20 +0000

What’s your profession? What do you do?

I am a translator. Now I work in the field of marketing.

Lianna Araqelyan

When and how did you decide to take part in a hiking trip for the first time? How your first hiking trip was and what kinds of emotions did you experience?

I have been interested in hiking for a long time. Back in school, we often traveled and organized hiking trips. For the first time, I decided to join ArmGeo because I noticed that they always choose unusual destinations and discover many unknown places. My first hike was in 2016, destination – Mount Tezhkar and Hell’s Canyon. I remember how we left the bus and all participants started to prepare their hiking equipment. They put on more comfortable shoes, opened their trekking poles and so on. For a moment I felt lost. I thought that I am not supposed to be here, and if I could I would sit in a bus and go back to the city. Then my mixed emotions were replaced by beautiful landscapes, tranquility and some other, completely new Armenia.

What has changed in your life since you started hiking?

I find balance in nature and in the mountains. The balance of noise and silence, action and peace, questions and answers. In the mountains everything is in harmony and balance, nothing bothers you. You only think about how to overcome your own strength and yourself.

In the mountains, I am not in a hurry, I am not tired, and I am not worried about minor problems that we artificially create for ourselves, when we live in the city.

Lianna Araqelyan

What do mountains give you, what are you looking for there?

Mountains become a territory that you cannot measure by space and time. There you can travel in your desired time and space and end up in your desired place. At any moment you can make important discoveries, at any second you can feel powerful, and the next second you can feel small and insignificant. But the most important thing is that in the mountains you feel like a part of the world, country, people, everything… This sense of integrity has a power that cannot be expressed with words.

Is there a creation that you associate with mountains or hikes?

There are many of them. However, there is one poem about mountains by Hovhannes Tumanyan that I really love. For me, it is a combination of mountains, childhood and simplicity.

What was your most memorable hiking trip and what made it special?

I remember all the trips without exception. During one hike, small white flowers spread out in front of you, and you try to find convenient paths so as not not trample “anyone”. On other hike, you look at cliffs and inaccessible mountains in the distance, and you think that one day you will climb them. During another hike you find good friends.

Lianna Araqelyan

Are there destinations that you haven’t climbed yet but have a desire to do it?

I never choose which mountains I need to climb. Sometimes I even think that mountains choose me. There, we understand each other very well: they know the right time and the right paths…

Which are those three words that can describe your feelings during hiking trips?

Calmness, happiness, and pride (when you reach some peaks, you look down at the path that you overcame, and you feel proud of yourself…)

What do you think, who are hikers?

People who seek and strive for more than they already have.

How did you appear in ArmGeo club?

One word – Ararat.

Lianna Araqelyan

What advice do you have for those who want to start to go hiking but don’t dare to get out of their comfort zone and do that?

Remember that you are always one step away from the top, and by taking this step, you will find yourself in a wonderful place with the most beautiful beautiful views. Do not think about the height of the peak, because the peak is always reachable if you take one step.

P.S. Or you can take your phone and call ArmGeo. One more advantage: you will have many cool photos for Instagram :)

Members of ArmGeo Club

Eduard Khachatryan

Mery Antonyan

Anna Khachatryan

Ruben Zaqoyan

Nare Mkrtchyan

Hranush Vanesyan

Hovhannes Nazaryan

Gevorg Harutyunyan

Narine Vardanyan

Sveta Torosyan

armeniangeographic — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 09:10:57 +0000

What’s your profession? What do you do?

I am an actuary. I work in the banking system.

When and how did you decide to take part in a hiking trip for the first time? How your first hiking trip was and what kinds of emotions did you experience?

My first hike with ArmGeo was in 2016: Mount Ara, uncomfortable clothes, even more uncomfortable shoes. I don’t even remember how many times I fell that day… The bruises disappeared, but the smell of thyme in Mount Ara remained…

Sveta Torosyan

What has changed in your life since you started hiking?

I learned to be in harmony with myself.

What do mountains give you, what are you looking for there?

As strange as it may sound, in the mountains I am looking for myself. After each hike I return, discovering myself from a new side.

Is there a creation that you associate with mountains or hikes?

The first creation that comes to mind is Saroyan’s play “My heart’s in the Highlands”. The mountains, like Saroyan, are perfect in their simplicity.

Sveta Torosyan

What was your most memorable hiking trip and what made it special?

It is a difficult question. Probably, Ararat… Although, I will never forget the colors on Mount Azhdahak, the sunrise on Khustup, the smell of thyme on Mount Ara, the heavenly beauty of Hell’s Canyon, endless landscapes on the top of Mets Kirs, Lake Tsakqar, the sunset on Mount Lesser Ishkhanasar… And the most important thing is the people you find in the mountains.

Are there destinations that you haven’t climbed yet but have a desire to do it?

There are so many of them. The list is endless. I didn’t overcome the old ones yet, but I already have a list of new destinations. A lifetime is not enough to climb all the desired peaks. I even planned destinations for my next life.

Which are those three words that can describe your feelings during hiking trips?

Instead of three, I will say only one word – happiness.

What do you think, who are hikers?

Crazy people…

How did you appear in ArmGeo club?

It all started with the Ararat ascent.

Sveta Torosyan

What advice do you have for those who want to start to go hiking but don’t dare to get out of their comfort zone and do that?

My comfort zone is at an altitude of 2000+ meters. I feel better there, both physically and mentally. However, I must admit, that it is not easy to find a comfort zone in the mountains. And you either love to climb the mountains, or you don’t. I don’t know what advice to give to people who don’t like mountains. And those who love mountains will definitely go there without my advice.

Members of ArmGeo Club

Eduard Khachatryan

Mery Antonyan

Anna Khachatryan

Ruben Zaqoyan

Nare Mkrtchyan

Hranush Vanesyan

Hovhannes Nazaryan

Gevorg Harutyunyan

Narine Vardanyan

Gegham Zakaryan

armeniangeographic — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 08:37:46 +0000

What’s your profession? What do you do?

I am an economist by profession. Now I am a Customer Success Manager.

When and how did you decide to take part in a hiking trip for the first time? What did you feel being out of your comfort zone for the first time?

For a long time I wanted to participate in a hike, to overcome a difficult peak at least once, to get out of my comfort zone, but there was always something holding me back. I remember in the winter of 2016, ArmGeo was planning an overnight hike. I really wanted to join them, but one of my friends advised me to wait until the weather is warmer, as I didn’t have proper clothing and other necessary things. Finally, I participated in the first hike on April 24, 2017, during which we climbed Mount Mariam. After that I set myself a goal, to reach more heights.

Mount Mariam

Why do you climb mountains, what do they give you?

I always thought that in the mountains I would feel better, freer and detached from everyday problems. Turned out that I was right. After each hike I feel full of energy. During hikes I meet new and interesting people. Besides that, unfortunately, I do not know Armenia very well, and hikes give me an opportunity to get to know the different regions of Armenia, as well as the life of local people.

Do you have a favorite quote about mountains?

“Men may meet but mountains never.”

Do you have a desire to climb higher mountains?

Sure. After my second ascent, there was a desire to overcome new and more difficult peaks. I am sure that in the near future I will overcome the threshold of 5000 meters.

What was your most memorable hiking trip and what made it special?

The most memorable hike so far is the ascent of Ayrikar. On that day we joined three experienced hikers and climbed several peaks. It was my second hike and I could hardly keep up with them. After each passed meter, I wanted to lie down and rest.

Ayrikar

What advice do you have for those who want to start to go hiking but don’t dare to do that?

In my opinion, these people can be divided into two groups. One group thinks that they will not be able to overcome difficulties, and the other group doesn’t hike because they do not have the appropriate equipment. To the first group I would say that they definitely can do it. If I did it, then you can do it too. If there will be any difficulties, we will be there to help you. And if you have comfortable shoes that you don’t mind wearing in such places, then you can take part in your first hike. After that you can decide if you need to buy new appropriate clothing for hikes or not.

Արշավային պատմություններ - Armenian Geographic - ArmGeo.am

Eduard Khachatryan

“Everything in life is like climbing a mountain…”

How I ended up in ArmGeo club

Members of ArmGeo Club

Anna Khachatryan

What’s your profession? What do you do?

When and how did you decide to take part in a hiking trip for the first time? How your first hiking trip was and what kinds of emotions did you experience?

What has changed in your life since you started hiking?

What do mountains give you, what are you looking for there?

Is there a creation that you associate with mountains or hikes?

What was your most memorable hiking trip and what made it special?

Are there destinations that you haven’t climbed yet but have a desire to do it?

Which are those three words that can describe your feelings during hiking trips?

What do you think, who are hikers?

How did you appear in ArmGeo club?

What advice do you have for those who want to start to go hiking but don’t dare to get out of their comfort zone and do that?

Members of ArmGeo Club

Hranush Vanesyan

What’s your profession? What do you do?

When and how did you decide to take part in a hiking trip for the first time? How your first hiking trip was and what kinds of emotions did you experience?

What has changed in your life since you started hiking?

What do mountains give you, what are you looking for there?

Is there a creation that you associate with mountains or hikes?

What was your most memorable hiking trip and what made it special?

Are there destinations that you haven’t climbed yet but have a desire to do it?

Which are those three words that can describe your feelings during hiking trips?

What do you think, who are hikers?

How did you appear in ArmGeo club?

What advice do you have for those who want to start to go hiking but don’t dare to get out of their comfort zone and do that?

Members of ArmGeo Club

Lianna Araqelyan

What’s your profession? What do you do?

When and how did you decide to take part in a hiking trip for the first time? How your first hiking trip was and what kinds of emotions did you experience?

What has changed in your life since you started hiking?

What do mountains give you, what are you looking for there?

Is there a creation that you associate with mountains or hikes?

What was your most memorable hiking trip and what made it special?

Are there destinations that you haven’t climbed yet but have a desire to do it?

Which are those three words that can describe your feelings during hiking trips?

What do you think, who are hikers?

How did you appear in ArmGeo club?

What advice do you have for those who want to start to go hiking but don’t dare to get out of their comfort zone and do that?

Members of ArmGeo Club

Sveta Torosyan

What’s your profession? What do you do?

When and how did you decide to take part in a hiking trip for the first time? How your first hiking trip was and what kinds of emotions did you experience?

What has changed in your life since you started hiking?

What do mountains give you, what are you looking for there?

Is there a creation that you associate with mountains or hikes?

What was your most memorable hiking trip and what made it special?

Are there destinations that you haven’t climbed yet but have a desire to do it?

Which are those three words that can describe your feelings during hiking trips?

What do you think, who are hikers?

How did you appear in ArmGeo club?

What advice do you have for those who want to start to go hiking but don’t dare to get out of their comfort zone and do that?

Members of ArmGeo Club

Gegham Zakaryan

What’s your profession? What do you do?

When and how did you decide to take part in a hiking trip for the first time? What did you feel being out of your comfort zone for the first time?

Why do you climb mountains, what do they give you?

Do you have a favorite quote about mountains?

Do you have a desire to climb higher mountains?

What was your most memorable hiking trip and what made it special?

What advice do you have for those who want to start to go hiking but don’t dare to do that?

Members of ArmGeo club