Ani Janbazyan

What’s your profession?

I’m a tourism specialist.

What made you take part in the hiking trip for the first time? What did you feel when you got out of your comfort zone?

I made myself go hiking for the first time. I made myself realize that I need to live in real life. I’m glad that on 8th of September in 2014 I hiked to Lalvar Mountain, which to this day is a source of motivation for me. Out of my comfort zone, I was living a full life. I was enjoying the life seeing and feeling each breath of nature. Armenian Geographic has a right slogan – “be closer to nature”. The freedom I found in the mountains will never leave me. You can endlessly discover Armenia. You just need to love it and always move forward.

Why do you climb mountains? What do they give you?

I think everyone can climb mountains, but not everyone can live for mountains. The time comes when mountains start calling you. When you overcome your first mountain, you want to do it over and over again. And then you realize that you have become a “victim” of the mountains.

The mountains give me new thoughts, new feelings. They give me the opportunity to rediscover myself. Reaching to the peak is like opening a new page. In that way, I’m reaching for the new perfection. In the mountains you see the faces of innocent animals, villagers and children. Whenever you climb a new mountain, you also discover the life of that region.

Do you have a favorite quote about mountains?

Thanks to my hiking friend Hrach Ivanyan, I always remember the lines of one song:

“Even if your legs get tired, never give up,

You will see the trails you’ve passed from above…”

Do you have a desire to reach higher and more difficult mountains?

Yes, and I hope that in 2018 I will accomplish my goals.

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

For me all the hiking trips are memorable. Among them, I would single out overnight hiking trips. I really love it when we all gather around the campfire and start telling each other fascinating stories about our adventures in previous hikes. These people are not just friends, they are perfect for me. In their presence, you feel freedom and lightness, and the smile never fades from your face.

What advice do you have for those who want to start hiking but can’t make the first step?

The most difficult thing is the first step, but when you know where you go and what the reason is, you should always take the risk. Remember that hiking will completely change your life. You will feel and see the things that were invisible to you. The things that you don’t see in the city, you will see in the mountains, where even the wind has its own colors. Thus, you will discover your own country from a completely new and wonderful side.

Hiking trips in Armenia