Up The Rocks

Logo by Radim

The club “Up The Rocks” was established on January 5, 2008 by a group of enthusiasts. Since such kind of activities and lifestyles as rock climbing, mountaineering, backcountry skiing, hiking, rope jumping aren’t developed in Armenia yet, Up The Rocks’ goal is to promote them in the country, as well as to talk about the psychological aspects of extreme. Our principal objective is to explore and introduce the potential unclimbed crags and off-piste skiing areas in Armenia to foreigners and thus make Armenia popular worldwide.

Our Team

Aghvan Chatinian

Aghvan Chatinian – honorable member and tactical consultant

Was born on December 20, 1927. Started climbing at 22. Was considered a favorite mountaineer and Big Wall climber in the Soviet Union alpinism area. Was bestowed a degree of Master of Sports and member of the Soviet Union Alpinism Team.
In 1961 in the group led by Borov they made the first ascent of the famous route “Ushba’s Cross” and he was the sole leader for all the pitches during the climb.
Since 1952 a senior lecturer in Yerevan State Institute of Physical Culture, since 1982 docent, and professor since 1999 up to present. Has impressive amount of hard technical climbs in the Caucasus as well in the Pamirs, the Tian Shan and the Alps. Has taken part in more than 40 mountain rescue operations.
In mid 1950s became champion of the Caucasus Championship of rock climbing several times. In 1952 he won the world legendary Soviet Union climber Mikhael Khergiani from Svanetia by 41 seconds and took the first place, but that fact is noted almost nowhere not to overshadow the legendary Khergiani.

Mkhitar Mkhitaryan

Mkhitar Mkhitaryan – founder-promoter of “Up The Rocks”
Was born March 3, 1980. Started climbing at 23 and skiing at 24. “Spitak” rescue team member since 2004. In 2006 successfully passed the German Mountain Rescue Ski-Test organized by Bergwacht Mountain Rescue Center for “Spitak” rescue team staff.
Since 2006 student of the University of Practical Psychology and Sociology as a clinical psychologist.

Rope jumping founder-promoter in Armenia since 2007 December.

Andranik Miribyan

Andranik Miribyan – climber
Was born October 11, 1977. The most romantic climber of the world. Started climbing and skiing at 25. “Spitak” rescue team member since 2004. In 2006 successfully passed the German Mountain Rescue Ski-Test organized by Bergwacht Mountain Rescue Center for “Spitak” rescue team staff.
Has the habit of amusing his friends in extreme situations, never losing creativity and always finding optimal solutions.

Robert Vardanyan

Robert Vardanyan – rock climbing trainer
Was born October 7, 1952. Started climbing at 23, being a member of the Alp-club of Yerevan Physics Institute. Is experienced in Big Wall climbing category. Has climbed the Pamirs, the Tian Shan, the Caucasus and the Alps. One of the promoters of “Spitak” rescue team in 1989, as well the head of “Spitak” rescue center’s rock climbing brigade.
Certified rock climbing and mountaineering instructor by the Soviet Union Alpinism Federation as well by Bergwacht Mountain Rescue Center.
During the years of the Soviet Union the title of Candidate for Master of Sports was bestowed on him but afterwards he took no interest in winning ranks.
Being venturesome by nature it happened many times that during the climbing or some work at high altitudes he made his friends’ blood run cold by his mad tricks. Despite his age he climbs with ease as if he were in his twenties.

Vaghinak Sirekanyan

Vaghinak Sirekanyan – climber from Russia
Was born July 12, 1991. Started climbing at 10. Engage in sport climbing and rock climbing. Master of sports since 2007. Specialization – speed climbing. Participant in World Youth Championship in Imst (Austria). Bronze winner in European Youth Cup 2007 in Warsaw (Poland). Multifold prize winner in Russian cups and championships. A member of youth Russian team since 2006. Want climbing to be the most popular in the world.

Hrachya Hovhannisyan

Hrachya Hovhannisyan –coordinator of the page Psychology of Extreme
Was born September 14, 1978 - Candidate of Psychology Sciences (PhD), YSU lecturer-member of academic staff. Doing psychology research in the field of extraordinary situations, psycho diagnostic, psycho prophylactic and post-traumatic psycho-rehabilitation work.
From 1999 to 2004 he did research and was in advisory capacity for RA rescue brigades covering issues, such as psyche reliability and security, conducted trainings and psychology monitoring with Armenian peaceful forces going to Kosovo in 2004, participated in everyday and professional security maintenance projects.
Member of a number of psychological organizations and undertakings. Has published academic works in popular periodicals. Currently involved in issues, such as activities and preservation of psychosomatic health of a person.

Yulia Grigoryants

Yulia Grigoryants - photographer
Was born October 28, 1984. In 2005 graduated from The State Engineering University of Armenia, faculty of "Software for Computing Technics and Automated Systems". Becoming "Spitak" rescue team member in 2006 took a great interest in hiking and climbing. Is keen on photographing. Being a beginner in climbing has never been afraid of high altitudes and expressed a great tolerance in high anchores on the route waiting for the climbers to take photos.

Miqael Davtyan

Miqael Davtyan - Expert by SEO
Was born on May 25, 1973. In 1995 graduated from the State Engineering University of Armenia, Department of Chemistry. In 1998 graduated Postgraduate School of SEUA, Environmental Engineering, Master's degree. All his life he has been interested in rock climbing and mountaineering, and in 2007 he found his own place on the rocks and in mountains, stood up on the ski, and as his instructor says – he was born for skiing, climbing, mountaineering and all extremes which you can imagine. Now he is a head of group which every week goes for long or short trips. His energy and interest in mountains gives this group a new power, like a fresh breeze in hot day. His motto - do like me, or if you could do better than me. :-)

Anahit Harutyunyan

Anahit Harutyunyan – alpine skiing instructor, rock climber
Was born April 27,1980. Graduated from Armenian Agricultural Academy, Selection and genetics of agricultural plants, BS degree, Diploma with honour 2002 - 2004 : Graduated from Armenian Agricultural Academy, Selection and genetics of agricultural plants, MS degree, Diploma with honour Her first climbing practice was in 1998 when she became a member of the Rescue Team "Spitak" and went to the Noravank Canyon to participate in rock climbing competition with the members of team. She is involved in the ski rescuing patrol group of “Spitak” rescue team, and she is also ski instructor – finished rescue ski instructor courses with German Bergwacht instructors and passed exams as consistent with German tests. And she is a true friend, but as all girls a little bit crazy, and it's super!

Souren Stepanian

Souren Sepanian – representanive in Iran
Was born in 1962. Started climbing in 1977, in 1980 became experienced in rock climbing and mountaineering, in 1989 took part in first armenian team climbing the North wall of Alamkouh by the French route. His activities include winter technical climbs. The administrator member of Iranian national alpinism club. Professional photographer. One of the promoters of Iranian mountain photographer center. Has worked on one of the stories of Iranian mountaineering, is in touch with all mountaineering Armenian diaspora of the world.

Vahe Kosakyan

Vahe Kosakyan - coordinator, alpine skiing instructor, climber
Was born December 17, 1981. In 2003 graduated Armenian State Economic University , Chair of Finance and Accounting By specialization of Insurance. 2003-2005, served in National Special Forces of RA Started to wonder in Armenian beautiful mountains since 1995 , Member of Spitak rescuer center since 1997, where starts climbing experience. He was involved in the ski rescuing patrol group of “Spitak” rescue team, and he is also ski instructor – finished rescue ski instructor courses with German Bergwacht instructors and passed exams as consistent with German tests.

Vache Manukyan

Vache Manukyan - climber, biker
Was born February 5, 1981. In 2006 graduated from the Yerevat Academy of Fine Arts. “Spitak” rescue team member since 1998. In 2002 successfully passed the German Mountain Rescue Test organized by Bergwacht Mountain Rescue Center for “Spitak” rescue team staff.
Organizer of motorcycling in Armenia.
Due to his long hands and emphasized gesticulation he is not advised to enter chandelier shop.
To view his soul click here