{"id":84844,"date":"2019-09-16T19:02:55","date_gmt":"2019-09-16T15:02:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.armgeo.am\/lilit_hovhannisyan\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T15:30:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T11:30:21","slug":"lilit_hovhannisyan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.armgeo.am\/en\/lilit_hovhannisyan\/","title":{"rendered":"I have always dreamed of the ascent to Ararat"},"content":{"rendered":"

When did you set a goal to climb Ararat?<\/span><\/h3>\n

I have always dreamed of Ararat. I walked its snow-covered slopes up and down in my dreams. I used to imagine myself reaching its top no less than a thousand times. Even now I cannot say what was more real – the ascent to Ararat, which I actually did, or my dreams about Ararat, <\/span>no matter how fantastic they may seem<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

What kind of obstacles did you face?<\/span><\/h3>\n

The only obstacle between me and Mount Ararat was a border on a map.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

How did you imagine the ascent to Ararat?<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

I thought everything would be the same as during an ordinary mountain ascent.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

And what was it like in reality?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

In reality, everything turned out differently – not as I had imagined. I walked slowly and didn’t even feel like I was walking. I was neither cold nor hot. There was no fatigue, I was simply climbing to the top – to freedom. Maybe that is how happiness feels.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ascent<\/a>

Lake Van \/ Lilit Hovhannisyan<\/p><\/div>\n

What were your thoughts when on the peak of the mountain?<\/span><\/h3>\n

I was thinking about the sun! All my thoughts were about the sun.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

What is one word to describe your emotions at that moment?<\/span><\/h3>\n

I can’t find just one word, so I\u2019ll tell you about my emotions in a whole sentence: \u201cMy heart was filled with light\u201d.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

What was your most memorable moment?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Joy, which I experienced on the top of Ararat… I can hardly recreate that atmosphere again, but I can forever keep this moment in my heart.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Has the ascent to Mount Ararat changed your life?<\/span><\/h3>\n

I don’t know. What kind of things should have changed? I still feel like myself.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Ascent<\/a>

Climbing Ararat \/ Lilit Hovhannisyan<\/p><\/div>\n

What has Ararat become for you?<\/span><\/h3>\n

It has always been our Ararat, \u201cmy\u201d Ararat …<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you planning to complete the ascent to Ararat again?<\/span><\/h3>\n

I don’t know.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

What would you advise to people who are dreaming of climbing Mount Ararat?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Plan your ascent to the top of Ararat only when you feel ready: physically, and most importantly, mentally…<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Don’t hurt Ararat, and it will never hurt you.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lilit Hovhannisyan\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n

Read more about Ararat ascent here<\/a><\/span>.<\/h3>\n\n

Hiking and trekking tours in Armenia<\/h1>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When did you set a goal to climb Ararat? I have always dreamed of Ararat. I walked its snow-covered slopes up and down in my dreams. 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