Gevorg Harutyunyan

What’s your profession? What do you do?

My first profession is a lawyer, and the second is business management. My work is connected to my second profession.

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 don’t remember. As a child, I loved to walk in the village mountains and make discoveries. In school, during excursions in nature, I often separated from the group and climbed the nearest hill or mountain. I have always been drawn to the unknown and, of course, to beautiful landscapes.

Then I started hiking on my own, sometimes with friends. The goal was mainly cognitive: abandoned castles, monasteries, natural monuments…

What has changed in your life since you started hiking?

First of all, my attitude towards nature has changed. You cannot truly appreciate and take care of nature while sitting in the city. Until you spend the night in the forest, walk all day in the mountains and drink water from a stream, you will not realize that the nature is your true environment. Also, thanks to hiking, many wonderful people have appeared in my life.

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

It is a difficult question. I guess I am not looking for anything, I just feel calmness and peace in the mountains.

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

Of course. Whenever I reach the top, I remember the lines from the poem by Hamo Sahyan: “There are mountains on the mountains, gorges in the darkness of gorges…” This is not just a poem; it is a scenery that you can see in real life…

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

In 2016, members of the ArmGeo club and I climbed Qajkar, which is the highest peak of Eastern Pontic Mountains. It was a real mountain adventure. Due to the lack of information, we didn’t have a clear plan of ascent. It was an undiscovered, cozy land full of historical and natural monuments. The ascent was quite difficult, with a powerful peak and magnificent views…

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

I want to go around the whole Armenia through the mountains and gorges.

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

Freedom, peace, tranquility.

What do you think, who are hikers?

Hikers are the most ordinary not ordinary people who know where real life is.

How did you appear in ArmGeo club?

I was friends with Tigran before ArmGeo. We met in the mountains and went to many hikes together. When ArmGeo was founded, knowing Tigran’s approaches, I had no doubt that this will be my kind of hiking club. Then, new and bright people joined us, and the hiking club became a friends’ club as well.

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?

I would say join us. I found my comfort zone while hiking.

Members of ArmGeo Club