Climbing Ararat. Facts and Emotions

With my humble experience I’ve learnt the importance of good gear. The mild discomfort of the first day turns into constant and distracting pain on the second. I started gathering the gear I needed, and continued preparing for the trip. My training was constituted by climbing local mountains that Armenia fortunately has in abundance, running small distances of 3–4 kilometers and my regular exercises.

The moment we lay foot on the slopes of Ararat, it seized being sacred, it was no longer an object of worship. The mountain became a magnificent creation of tectonic forces of nature arousing awe and admiration.

After arriving at Bayazet late in the evening and spending the night in a hotel, we set up for climbing the next morning at 2,200 m. We had experienced local guides leading the way. Horses were carrying our provisions, tents and heavy gear. These beautiful and strong animals were with us till the second camp at 4,200 m. The mountain becomes too steep for them to climb afterwards, and fortunately there is no need for that. We climbed one vertical kilometer per day with a camp awaiting after each climb. It was a strange experience to be welcomed in a camp after the climb with hot tea and food awaiting us.

The night at high altitudes is full of unique sights. The stars, the moon, the stunning dawns, the colorful sunrises and the shooting stars make the experience unforgettable. The weather was dry and warm while we were up there. Nevertheless, the temperatures drop as soon as the sun hides behind the horizon as it happens in the mountains.

After a night’s rest we began climbing the second vertical kilometer till 4,200 m. The mountain becomes very rocky from this point on. With so many groups climbing that day, it’s a wonder that there was enough space for all of the tents. It took us about 6 hours to reach here at a moderate pace.

We arrived at the summit at 6 am and congratulated each other with sincere joy. The whole group made it with not a single person bereft of the accomplishment. I found a quite spot, lay on the ground and let out all the emotions overwhelming throughout the journey.

When thinking of climbing, we tend to focus on the summit and forget about the descent. Statistics shows that this negligence can be fatal as the majority of accidents happen on the way down. I’ve learnt that I become careless and clumsy as I grow tired. I had to constantly remind myself that this is only half of the journey, we had to come down safe and sound before celebrating.

I was climbing with an amazing group of 24 individuals some of whom I had met before. I’ve grown to fully trust our leaders throughout many local hikes. It’s been a pleasure to share the experience with the group. I’m grateful for the moments of excitement, doubt and joy that we had together.

Ararat was a deeply personal challenge for me. One of the biggest takeaways from the trip is the self-assurance I gained. I’ve learnt to trust my body and my mind to focus on the challenge of the moment. There is a draining feeling I had before and a paralyzing thought: what am I doing here. I’m sure that this feeling will return, but now I know what is beyond, and it is more than worth the fear, the tears and the struggle of the beginning. Such experiences have taught me how powerful and resistant my body can be if I don’t stand in my own way. Ararat seemed beyond the possible, it’s an accomplishment now.

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