Ani Hakobyan / A Member of our Hiking Club / ArmGeo

What’s your profession?

My first profession is an economist. I have worked in different fields. At the moment I am working in the IT field.

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 hiking for many years, and my first hike with ArmGeo was in the Yeranos Mountain range in 2019. When I was reading the details of the trip, I saw that it was the longest one among one day trips. My sense of responsibility has increased. I decided that I would not bother anyone if I had some difficulties while climbing. The trip went without difficulties and it was very beautiful.

Ani Hakobyan

What has changed in your life since you started hiking?

The disturbed balance of my inner and outer worlds is recovered. More shades of green, yellow, white have appeared in my life.

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

Mountains give an opportunity to know their character. Besides the character, I feel that the mountains also have their genders, and during each hike you discover a new type. I’m looking for authentic people in the mountains.

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

It is the poem of Vahagn Davtyan called “Armenian Mountains”, which perfectly describes our mountains.

Ani Hakobyan

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

The most memorable hike was to Mount Tsrasar. This was the first expeditionary hike that I participated in. We were supposed to wake up at 4 am and it was dark and cold. Then we needed to go cross the river several times. We were walking for a long time and still did not see the top of the mountain. Some of the boys were already on the summit when I finally got there. At that moment, I did not know whether to run, jump or cry with happiness.

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

I would reframe the question. What destinations have I climbed, yet? I consider myself a beginner, and I have a list of hiking destinations that I have to overcome.

Ani Hakobyan

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

Satisfaction, confidence, bliss (and the superlatives of these words).

What do you think, who are hikers?

Hikers are those people who know what they want from life, what they want from mountains, and they value their homeland.

How did you appear in ArmGeo club?

I have never thought about this question, but probably from the first hiking trip, when Tigran said for the first time, “Don’t get out of the line”. At that moment, I felt that this is my place. So, I started to constantly hike only with ArmGeo.