Ani Harutyunyan

What’s your profession? What do you do?

I am a linguist by profession, but I never worked in my profession. Now I work in IT field, in PicsArt as a Quality Assurance Specialist.

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?

I was following ArmGeo’s page for a long time, and was waiting for a convenient hike (just like many people now). I wanted a short route, good weather, easy hike, but of course the complete opposite happened. It was a rainy day in Tavush forests; the route was about 17 km. That day I wore jeans, city boots, and I even styled my hair.

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

I think that this is the hardest question that you can ask a hiker. Mountains shape our character and make us better. Not only mountains, but nature as a whole teaches us to be in harmony with ourselves and to love.

Do you have a favorite quote about mountains?

No. Maybe one day I will come up with my own quote.

Do you have a desire to climb higher mountains?

Yes. I have already planned the next 2 years in my mind. I hope everything works out.

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

There are many memorable hikes. I would like to single out my first overnight hiking trip. We went to Artsakh and had to climb Mount Dizapayt. It was really out of my comfort zone. Everything was wild and unusual for me. Then the atmosphere became so warm that for a moment I forgot about all the negative things. The next day I complained, cried a little and decided that this is my last hike ever. Naturally, next Sunday I packed my backpack and went to the mountains again. Now I feel a part of those “wild” and “unusual” situations.

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

There is no need to wait or prepare for a long time. Nothing happens as we imagine anyway. In reality everything goes much better.

How do you make up for the lack of hiking during a pandemic?

I share memories with my friends, look through photos.

Where will you go first after the abolition of the restriction of freedom of movement law?

Anywhere!

Members of ArmGeo Club