Up The Rocks

The club “Up The Rocks” was established on January 5, 2008 by a group of enthusiasts with a strong motivation to develop rock climbing and backcountry skiing culture in Armenia. Since then we have moved forward significantly and right from the beginning our main objective has been to keep the rock climbing ethics and gratitude to the nature.
Now, in different countries of the world, climbers have started to talk about the fabulous rock formations of Armenia, having included it in their future climbing trips list.

Consequently, inspired by our experience, we see all the doors opened, as the climber does after sending the route, climbing which was beyond his/her limit.

Mkhitar Mkhitaryan

Mkhitar Mkhitaryan – founder-promoter of “Up The Rocks”
Was born March 3, 1980. In 2010 graduated from University of Practical psychology and Sociology “Urartu”.
Started climbing at 24, skiing at 25 and slacklining at 30. “Spitak” rescue team member since 2004. In 2006 successfully passed German Mountain Rescue Ski-Test organized by Bergwacht Mountain Rescue Center for “Spitak” rescue team staff.
Rope jumping founder 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 marginal situations, never losing creativity and always finding optimal solutions.

Jared Nielson

Jared Nielson - climber/photographer
Was born April 24, 1977. Started sport climbing and snowboarding at 17, at age 19 started Big wall/aid climbing as well as Ice climbing.
Jared has been an developing new routes and climbing areas all over the Western United States since age 20, to include FAs of big wall routes in Zion National Park. In between 1998 and 2000, Jared and a few close friends working with The American Safe Climbing Association replaced the belay stations and bolt ladders on Zion classics such as Moonlight Buttress, Desert Shield, Prodigal Son, as well as other routes in Zion National Park.

Vladimir Belousov

Vladimir Belousov - climber
Was born November 2, 1977. In 2001 graduated Moscow State Industrial University.
Main activities: mountaineering, rock and ice climbing, skiing.
Started climbing at 1993, first serios expedition at 2003. Had climbed in Europe, Nepal, China, Kirgyzstan, Caucasus and Crimea. FA route in Nepal Himalaja on Mt.Kwangde.
Employee.

Hrachya Hovhannisyan

Hrachya Hovhannisyan – strategy and management consultant
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.
Has published academic works in popular periodicals.
Is the founder-promoter of Psychological Center “Satar”.

Aghvan Chatinyan

Aghvan Chatinyan

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.

Robert Vardanyan

Robert Vardanyan
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.

Souren Stepanian

Souren Stepanian
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.