Anna Khachatryan

What’s your profession? What do you do?

I am a hospitality specialist.

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?

It was July, and I realized that due to the coronavirus I locked myself at home for too long. I needed to communicate with people; I needed nature and fresh air. So on the 1st of August I joined the overnight hiking trip in Ukhtasar. The hike went well, I met new people, saw many new places. I was so impressed. On that day, I decided that I will go on hiking trips more often.

What has changed in your life since you started hiking?

I think that after participating in hikes, I learned to be more in harmony with myself. Hiking relieve my thoughts and recharge me. After the hike, on the way home, I always think about my plans with motivation to implement them.

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

Mountains give colors. You can give this word many different meanings: impressions, memories, the most beautiful sunsets, people…

What am I looking for?.. I have a lot of fears. I am looking for a stronger Anna in the mountains.

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

Dirty Paws by Of Monsters and Men. Those who have seen the movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” will probably understand why I associate this song with mountains.

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

After every hike I feel like this hike was more impressive than the last one. However, I would like to highlight the hiking trip to Al Lakes and Mount Sandukhtasar: a long road, Al Lakes, a campfire, my first night in the Delica due to the unbearable cold, views from the top of Sandukhtasar, the sunset and, of course, people.

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

After several years of hiatus I am just starting to participate in hikes. Right now it will be easier to list the destinations I overcame than the other way around. However, I think that each next destination should be more difficult than the previous one. In the future I dream of climbing Mount Fuji in Japan.

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

Recharge, discovery, harmony.

What do you think, who are hikers?

There is a word “wanderlust”, which expresses a strong desire to travel and discover the world. I think that hikers are people who search and discover the world.

How did you appear in ArmGeo club?

For more than three years I followed ArmGeo’s hikes, but for various reasons did not join them. In 2019, my brother joined ArmGeo, and then I did the same. Right after this hiking trip there was no question in my head whether to participate in the next hike or not? The answer was clear – yes!

What advice do you have for those who want to start to go hiking but don’t dare to get out of their comfort zone and do that?

The most memorable moments in life often happen when we step out of our comfort zone.

If you are reading this and still having doubts then remember, that with every trip you skip, you miss out on a lot of memories.

Members of ArmGeo Club