The First RA Citizen on Mount Everest

Igor Khalatian is the first citizen of the Republic of Armenia who climbed the highest mountain in the world – mount Everest.

Igor Khalatyan was born in 1964. He is a programmer by profession and has lived in the United States of America since 1992. He followed his friends’ advice and started climbing mountains at the age of 29. It all started from Mount Aragats. Once he confessed that before climbing his first mountain he could not understand why did people waste their time on that, but after climbing mount Aragats and seeing the lights of Artashat city, he had an extraordinary and unusual feeling which fueled his interest in mountaineering. That is how he started his weekly climbs and hikes throughout the Caucasus. Before climbing Mount Everest, he has been active in sports for more than 15 years, but he says that besides having adequately prepared and trained physique, the mountaineer must have additional skills and be psychologically prepared.

Mountaineering Experience

The ascent of Ararat was of great importance to him as an Armenian. He overcame the ascent in 1.5 days.

Prior to climbing Mount Everest, he gained mountaineering experience through ascending different mountains such as Mount Elbrus, which is the highest point of Europe or Denali and Aconcagua, which are the highest peaks of North and South America respectively.

Igor Khalatian and ArmGeo climbing mount Voulkan

Everest is the highest mountain above sea level. The height of the mountain is 8848 meters and is situated between Nepal and Tibet. In 2014 6,871 ascents were recorded, 248 of which had a fatal outcome. The conditions on the mountain are so severe for rescuers that most of the dead bodies still remain there. There is almost always a strong wind (at a speed of 55 m/s), in winter the air temperature reaches -36°C (at night from -50 to -60°C).

Everest Starts at 5,000 Meters

Igor Khalatian’s journey lasted 74 days. According to him, the main mountains start at 5,000 meters, where different problems and oxygen deprivation begin. At 8,000 meters starts the Death Zone, from where you should either ascend or descend quickly. Many people die there as a result of severe frostbite or oxygen deprivation.

Knowing these statistics and facts it is hard to imagine what exactly attracts and “forces” people to climb this mountain and endanger their lives.

I did not conquer the mountain, but the mountain allowed me to climb it

Igor Khalatian has found his answer and said the following during one of the interviews:

“ Mountains open up an unimaginably beautiful world to people. Our lives have become more or less secure, with only a few methods left to experience yourself, and mountaineering helps, enables us to understand and realize who we really are and what we can. But there is just one disadvantage: you become a thrill seeker and when you descend, the life goes numb, and you’re craving for new feelings and emotions. I’ve climbed mount Everest on May 16 and will never try to repeat it. The mountaineers say: “ I did not conquer the mountain, but the mountain allowed me to climb it. Everest was favorable to me this time, and I will never dare to abuse its kindness and generosity”.

Together with Igor Khalatian we have climbed mountain Voulkan in Lori Province of Armeni, and everyone was wecome to join that hike.

You can see the photos of our hike to mount Voulkan here: Climbing mount Voulkan.

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