Vartouhi Yessaian

What’s your profession? What do you do?

I studied in American University of Armenia and I have a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Affairs.

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?

Since childhood my father would take me, my sister and brother to hikes. He wanted us to love hikes as much as he does, or maybe he just wanted us to get out of our comfort zone. However, it is not so easy to replace convenience with the discomforting cold wind, with snow falling into your boots, with an exhausting and endless road to the top, with words “can we go down already?”

I first heard about Armenian Geographic in 2016 from my friends who have been hiking for 1-2 years. I was thinking that one day I will join them, because the photos they take are so beautiful. That “one day” didn’t come too soon, considering that I didn’t know most of the people in the group, and I am not a social person. I was thinking that I would feel uncomfortable, surrounded by strangers. They were professionals and had cool hiking outfits.

In March of 2017 it was a birthday of one of my friends who hikes with ArmGeo. He was planning to go on a hike on that day, and we decided to join him. I didn’t plan to do it, but at least it was an easy hike. We went to Aghjka Berd in Tavush. I didn’t even remember the name of the mountain, because I was going to a birthday, not a hike. Therefore I forgot that my first ever hike with ArmGeo was to Aghjka Berd.

In March of 2018 I decided to try hiking again. This time they planned to climb Mets Kirs. I thought that the hike would be easy and the road would be meadow, since it is already spring, and everything is green. I went on a hike, not even thinking that all night before the ascent it would snow, and the snow would cover the entire meadow road. But it was too late to retreat. This time I really was out of my comfort zone. As you can imagine, I was in jeans, a city jacket and boots. I thought “why did I come at all, why did I sign up, what if I slip now, and what about my thesis?” However, the winter Kirs was an indescribably magical mountain, which I later would remember with pride. After all, this was my first real hike, and I was one of those who reached the summit moving in one line, knee-deep in the snow.

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

Mountains are love and many other things: a source of energy, an eye sparkling excitement, a tranquility that you can’t find in the city, a road to peace, a discipline, a habit of walking in one line, an endlessly evolving willpower, a great pride, a tendency to compare the old and the new, a desire to achieve more… unforgettable and magical scenes and a boundless beauty.

Do you have a favorite quote about mountains?

Regularly, every two days I say “how I miss the mountains”. Does it count? :)

Do you have a desire to climb higher mountains?

Yes. There are mountains that I know I will climb. I do not know when, but I will definitely reach their top.

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

I believe that any hiker thinks about this question for a long time. And the person who asks this question probably expects you to single out just one trip, because all of them are similar. But in fact, all the trips are different from each other; they are all unique in their own way. Therefore, it is hard to single out one hiking trip and not “offend” others. The coolest, most special and unforgettable moments are undoubtedly associated with overnight hikes. I would like to single out the ascent of Tsovasar. In fact, I was not supposed to be on Mount Tsovasar, as I was planning to climb the mountains Varag and Artos. One beautiful morning I learned that ascents of Varag and Artos are cancelled. Instead, there was another program that had been planned for a long time.

I again found myself in the status of a “stranger” of the group, but since I had already decided that I must go to Western Armenia, I agreed to this trip without hesitation. I did not know much about Mount Tsovasar. Therefore I was not very excited about this trip. Having traveled more than 2000 km, I realized that this was not just another hiking adventure. I understood that in reality everything will be much better, that my friends’ dream will become mine, and that others will get inspired by my excitement. Having traveled more than 2000 km I realized, that this seven-day journey will remain in my emotional sphere – without words, but with a breathtaking feeling of happiness.

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

When people say that you just need to start, they really know what they are talking about. After trying, you will at least understand whether you like hiking or not, would you like to continue or not. Halfway through, you will think whether it is worth replacing your comfy couch with a muddy path, huge stones, loose sand under your feet, icy water in a river, or a burning sun. You will get tired, you will whine, and then you will reach the top and defeat yourself. By the way, at some point your hiking friends will also become your friends outside of hikes.

How do you make up for the lack of hiking during a pandemic?

I go through my photos and videos.

Where will you go first after the abolition of the restriction of freedom of movement law?

Doesn’t matter where, as long as I have good people beside me.

Members of ArmGeo Club