Up The Rocks

Andranik Miribyan, John Clinton and me set off to the village Aragats. The destination was to explore a new Ski-tour route for "Geographic Travel Club" www.geotravel.am. It has been planned to include a skiing on the slopes of the Northern (4090m) and Eastern (3916m) summits in the program. It was also decided to start the Ski-tour early in the morning from the start point (hydroelectric plant on the slopes of the mount above village Aragats).

But Ando’s Niva was stuck in the snow trench on the way, made by caterpillar tractor and we spent hours there to tow it back to the village. However, we started to move at 2:30pm from the point near the village and tried to keep staying in a good mood thinking all the troubles were behind and we were going to enjoy the good weather and fun skiing.
We really did enjoy the first day: there was no wind and no any cloud in the sky, though we couldn’t reach the camp point below the north-west saddle which was planned for the first day. On the second day in the afternoon it started to blow. We didn’t manage to reach the camp point on that day either. After having some fun in the night storm we finally managed to set the camp on 3460m and to get in the tent at about 9pm.
Third day was stormy too, so three of us stayed in one 2+ Marmot Up High tent all the day long. The morning of the forth day was a present for us. As it usually is after the storm it was a sunny and clear day. John was sick and tired of this uncomfortable stormy trip and also needed to get to the Peace Corp office where he worked, so there was no other option but going back down. So we had some 12 km slope with good snow. We will try to perform the program after March 10, so we hope next time it will work out.

Andranik Andranik

making a flootprint for the tent making a flootprint for the tent

fuckin storm and a frozen camera fuckin storm and a frozen camera

skiing with 25kg backpack skiing with 25kg backpack

Ando and John making snow-soup Ando and John making snow-soup

Mt. Ararat from our tent Mt. Ararat from our tent

Mt. Ara, Geghama range on the background Mt. Ara, Geghama range on the background

John and me having a lunch John and me having a lunch

village freestyler ;) village freestyler ;)

Mt. Aragats Mt. Aragats

John hurrying back to officeJohn hurrying back to office