Gevorg Haroyan

What is your profession?

I’m an actor by profession. Now I’m working for Civilnet internet TV channel as a cameraman and photographer.

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 didn’t plan my first hike. My cousin asked me to join her and that was a fateful moment for my close relationships with Armenian Geographic. That time we were hiking to the South of Armenia, Meghri. We were going to have an overnight stay in a childhood home of ArmGeo hiker Gagik Sargsyan, which was located in Lichk village. I didn’t know anyone in that group. When we got on the Yerevan-Meghri highway members of the group started to introduce themselves. Some of them asked me if I have a Facebook account. I decided to make a joke. I took a serious look and answered, “It is against our religion”. They kept silent for a while and were looking at me with question marks. Finally, Tigran Shabazyan asked the expected question, “Brother, what is your religion?” I answered the question by laughing and everyone relaxed immediately. It was inevitable to get closer and become friends with them being in that atmosphere in Meghri next to the campfire, playing guitar and dancing all night long. As for getting out of the comfort zone, it’s not like the rhythm of city life is perfect for me. In nature I feel more harmonious.

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

Whenever I answer this question I feel incomplete. I climb the mountains to be close to nature. For me nature is not only the mountain with its summit, but also the village, the farmer, his animals… In one word, being in nature is being far from industry. I think when you communicate with mountains you leave your negative energy there and bring Alpine purity with you.

Do you have a favorite quote about mountains?

At this moment I remembered the lines of one of Sahyan’s poems: “There are mountains on the mountains, gorges in the darkness of gorges…”

Do you have a desire to climb higher mountains?

Yes. But I have no specific plans for this year.

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

There were many memorable hikes. The most memorable ones are usually overnight hiking trips. I would single out the hiking trip in Artsakh during the New Year. This was when we broke the tradition of spending New Year with our families and celebrated one of the most interesting holidays in Shushi with hikers who were acquaintances or strangers.

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

Just hike. Climb the mountains. Finally, know your homeland. Nature has all the answers to your questions. Just go hiking and find these answers.

Members of ArmGeo Club