How to prepare for Ararat climb?

You’ve decided to turn your biggest dream to reality and climb Mount Ararat? That’s a great idea! Ararat is a unique mountain. Climbing Ararat will give you many unforgettable feelings. The mountain is more than 5000 meters above sea level, which is already a serious altitude for mountaineering. But thanks to its geographical location, climate and infrastructure, this mountain is considered to be one of the easiest and safest mountains with an altitude of 5000 meters and higher. Besides that, Ararat has a very important symbolic meaning for Armenian people. Let’s forget for a moment the emotional part of this topic and talk about the technical part. How to prepare for Ararat climb?

As we’ve already mentioned, Ararat is an easy mountain to climb, if you’re a healthy person. You will need to be physically and mentally strong. We have to remember that we will be in wild nature, high in the mountains. Here, life flows at a different pace, our bodies work in a different way. Atmospheric pressure is lower than in the foot of the mountain, the air is cold and dry. The body needs to be prepared for such conditions. It is not difficult to prepare your body. In this article we will explain how to prepare for Ararat climb.

Adjust your lifestyle

At least a month before the ascent start a more stable and healthy lifestyle. Adjust your sleep schedule, your diet; try to avoid alcohol and cigarettes. After a fun Friday night in a pub, next morning you may be sober and even able to drive. But alcohol will remain in your body for a long time, and it still can harm you. This doesn’t mean that you will still feel intoxicated during the ascent. But try to stay away from alcohol, to improve your immune system.

Exercise!

It would be perfect if you made a plan of intensive exercises and followed it, along with the right diet and sleeping schedule. But we understand that it’s not always possible.

However a 5 kilometer run, three times a week, would not be a difficult task and will positively affect your lifestyle.

Take a hike

Armenian Geographic organizes hikes in Armenian mountains. If you join our hikes, you will be more prepared for the upcoming important ascent. You also will meet interesting people who will teach you a lot about hiking and mountain climbing.

Medical examination

Check the function of your lungs and heart. If you have any health problems, for example, a damaged tooth, a cold, or chronic diseases, then be sure to address the problem. Remember that in the mountains our immunity is not as strong, and even something insignificant can affect the body and cause serious problems. Be very serious and honest with this topic. Consult with doctors, and if there are any contraindications, be sure to inform us about it. Only you are responsible for your health.

Necessary equipment for climbing Ararat

“How to choose the right equipment?” “How the temperature changes at night?” “How cold is it at the top?” – these are the most frequently asked questions of people who are preparing to climb Ararat. Of course you will gain the most experience by participating in hikes yourself. Soon enough you will start to understand which shoes are the best for you, and what you need to wear in different weather conditions.

The most experience you will get during winter hikes. In wintertime, the climate in the mountains of Armenia is similar to a climate of Ararat at an altitude of 4200 meters and more in summer.

Everything you need to know about climbing Ararat

Our trekking starts from an altitude of 2200 meters. Since it is very hot in the summer at this altitude, we should first think about the protection from the sun. First of all, you need to cover all of your body. We know that you will think that on the first day in such heat it will be much better to walk in a t-shirt and shorts, but you have to remember about your dream of climbing to the top of Ararat. If you don’t listen to the advice of experienced people, you will jeopardize your biggest dream.

High in the mountains, the solar radiation is more intense, which means that the chance to get sunstroke is higher. So all you need to do is protect your body from the sun. You need to protect your head and neck as well, and cover them with a hat. If your hat does not cover your neck, you can cover it with a buff.

At the beginning of the ascent you won’t need professional mountaineering boots. Till the second camp you can climb in ordinary hiking boots. Since Mount Ararat is quite rocky, there is a risk of twisting your ankle. So you must have thick soled boots, above the ankle, to stabilize it.

On the first day we will gain 1000 meters of relative altitude. It will take about 4 hours. On this day we will be in light clothing. The horses will carry all of our heavy stuff, and we will need carry only a small backpack. In our backpacks we must have only the things that we will need during these few hours: first-aid kit, light jacket, hat, some snacks, and water. Remember, that our body gets dehydrated very quickly. So whether you like it or not, during the ascent you must drink a lot of water. Climbing from one camp to the next one, try to drink at least 1-1,5 liters of water.

In the morning of the second day the weather conditions are almost the same. But the higher we climb, the more we will feel the changes in a temperature. On the second day we start the ascent on the same type of outfit, we’ll just need to take with us a warmer jacket, warm gloves and a hat.

And finally, the most important day has come. Second camp is located at an altitude of 4200 meters. The ascent of our dreams starts right here.

We will start our ascent at 1 a.m. Here the temperature is below zero. The higher we get, the lower will be the temperature. This means that we need to choose the right outfit for this day.

What to wear?

During mountain climbing we need to layer our clothes. It means that we wear not only one very warm jacket, but several layers of clothing, each of which has its important role. Usually these are three layers of clothing, in very cold conditions – four or five. First layer is a thermal underwear, which keeps the body dry. Second layer is a fleece jacket that provides the warmth. Third layer is windproof and waterproof jacket, which also keeps the body warm.

You will find more information on the list of necessary equipment here.

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