I am Eduard Khachatryan. I am a programmer specialized in the development of visual components of software. I am a big fan of movies and comics, and guitar is one of my most important hobbies.
I was a freshman at the university and thanks to my friends I became a part of the Scout movement. My first hiking trip was with them. We went to Marmarashen Waterfall from Gyumri (I myself am from Gyumri). The hike was not difficult, but I was very happy. I felt like I was in one of the American movies that I had seen before. Scouting played an important role in making me fall deeply in love with nature and mountains. I lost contact with the Scout movement, but I still proudly keep my uniform.
“Everything in life is like climbing a mountain…”
For me hiking is an opportunity to escape from an everyday boring life. It is a chance to walk and meditate, to gain energy and inspiration. And hikers are people who love nature and mountains, in spite of everything. They know how to be in harmony with the world around them.
Firstly, the mountains provide an opportunity to believe in your own strength. If we draw parallels, we will understand that everything in life is like climbing a mountain. You need to believe in yourself and in people around you, and the result will be as impressive as the views opening from the mountains peaks.
For many members of our club Lake Tsaghkari is probably one of the most beloved mountain destinations, and I am no exception. I still get goosebumps when I remember those landscapes.
How I ended up in ArmGeo club
In the near future I plan to climb Elbrus. Let’s see how it goes. Climbing Fujiyama, Kilimanjaro and a 7-day trek to the Khan Tengri base camp are still a big dream for me.
My first hike with ArmGeo was to Mount Bardogh (Koghbasar). After the university was army, then career, so I didn’t hike for about 5-6 years. I was supposed to go on a business trip, but it was cancelled. It made me really angry. One of my colleagues asked me to lend him my backpack to go on a trip to Western Armenia. Without hesitation, I told him that I will not give him my backpack, because I want to join them. I registered for this trip and ended up in ArmGeo club. I still don’t understand how they agreed to take me on such difficult hiking trip.
I think that you should always give yourself a chance to try something new. So just do it. If possible, wear good hiking boots and do not forget sunscreen, regardless of the season.