Tweet
Climbing On: A group of Armenian mountaineers to conquer the highest
peak in Iran
http://armenianow.com/sports/51838/armenian_mountaineering_federation_climbing_demave nd_iran
SPORTS | 06.02.14 | 17:36
Courtesy Armenian Mountaineering and Hiking Federation
By JULIA HAKOBYAN
ArmeniaNow Deputy Editor
For most people, the majestic mountains in winter appear even more
inaccessible. But for a small group of people the snow-capped peak is
an enticing challenge and an opportunity to test their strength and
fortitude, overcome fear and enjoy the victory.
"When I go to the mountain, I say 'Dear Lord, give me the strength to
go ahead and reach...' I like the feeling, when first it seems that my
strength is failing, and then suddenly you find such a strong reserve
... Overcoming difficulties makes you strong, " says Yelena Shuvayeva
Petrosyan, one of the members of the Armenian alpinists' team, which
today, February 6, are headed to Iran to climb Demavend, the highest
peak in Iran (5,671 m height mountain( about18,406 ft) and the holy
mountain in Persian mythology.
This will be the second winter ascent of Armenian alpinists on
Demavend. In 2012 another Armenian group reached the peak, leaving
behind 216 climbers from 25 countries. The Armenian team shared the
victory with Iranian climbers and became the first international team
that conquered Demavend.
Shuvaeva-Petrosyan will climb Demavend for the first time, as well as
the rest of the team. This ascent is not a tournament, and the
Armenian team will be the only one to be seen these days on Demavend,
an extinct volcano. The group consists of six people, including two
women.
"I am excited, because winter ascent to Demavend is not easy due to
strong winds and adverse weather conditions. The temperature there
could go as low as -70 C (-94 F) and the wind may reach 110 km / h.
There are no rescuers in winter season and no medical care can be
provided. We have to make 25 kilometers to reach the first camp," says
Shuvayeva-Petrosyan, the writer and the editor of "Tourist Armenia"
magazine.
"We are all full of hope and determination," she says. "As for me, I
am looking forward to feel the energy of the Holy Mountain, which is
of the same value for Iranians as Ararat for Armenians."
Yelena, as well as other team members have experience in climbing, and
were trained at the Armenian Mountaineering and Hiking Tourism
Federation (AMHF). The team started to prepare for Demavend two months
ago and climbed the tops of the Armenian Atis, Araler and Aragats
mountains, and attended lessons by Yerevan Medical University
specialists on frostbites and first aid.
AMHF was founded in 2011 through the efforts of a group of alpinism
professionals and amateurs. Souren Danielyan, the vice-president of
the federation said that Armenian mountaineering has good traditions
and roots, as it was very popular in Soviet times.
"The mountaineering climbing was strongly supported by the state and
was very popular," says Danielyan. "After the collapse of the USSR,
alpinism as a sport has almost disappeared in Armenia. Through many
years, the Armenian mountaineers and the Armenian tricolor were not
seen in any of the peaks outside of Armenia."
Due to Danielyan and his friends, mountaineering climbing started
reviving in Armenia for the last decade and eventually the group of
enthusiasts decided to set up a federation to propagandize the sport
and restore the former fame of the Armenian mountaineering.
"Our federation is not government supported. We were told since
alpinism is not an Olympic sport therefore there is no need to invest
and promote. Apart from a few, one time private investments, we are
supporting the federation and its activity by our own means."
AMHF works closely with the ministry of emergency situations;
Danielyan himself is a retired captain of rescue service.
"In the recent couple of years there appeared many amateur groups on
the social networks, encouraging young people to be engaged in extreme
sports, including climbing. This often results that untrained and
inexperienced people find themselves in mountains. Now, luckily, due
to mobile phones they can call us for help."
AMHF has several clubs in Yerevan, where all those who wish to climb
mountains can get professional trainings free of charge. The one-month
course includes lessons from geography to first aid in emergency
situations to workshops on mountains. Some classes take place in the
"Grand Sport" sport complex, which houses the only indoor climbing
rock in Armenia. After passing the exams, they receive certificates.
Last month AMHF became the first Armenian sport federation to get a
Quality Summit International Award, a prize from Business Initiative
Directions (BID) for activity in 2013.The winner was chosen during a
survey of 50 independent international experts. The Armenian
Federation says that the Quality Summit International Award, which
rates 166 countries, will further promote growth and improvements of
its activity.
"It was a real surprise for us," says Danielyan. "As we were told we
got the prize largely due to our active participation in various
public events in the country, such as tree planting, or our assistance
to veteran alpinists, as well as for our rating on the internet.
Unfortunately, we won't go to take the prize, as the ceremony takes
place in Geneva and we don't have financial means for it. But we are
proud because of another achievement too, as we managed to send eight
members of our federation to the best mountaineering school in Russia.
Upon return, the guys will train the beginners and this is really
important for us"
"The truth is that we love what we do from the bottom of our hearts
and this is the reason we overcome problems and have achievements,"
adds Danielyan.
peak in Iran
http://armenianow.com/sports/51838/armenian_mountaineering_federation_climbing_demave nd_iran
SPORTS | 06.02.14 | 17:36
Courtesy Armenian Mountaineering and Hiking Federation
By JULIA HAKOBYAN
ArmeniaNow Deputy Editor
For most people, the majestic mountains in winter appear even more
inaccessible. But for a small group of people the snow-capped peak is
an enticing challenge and an opportunity to test their strength and
fortitude, overcome fear and enjoy the victory.
"When I go to the mountain, I say 'Dear Lord, give me the strength to
go ahead and reach...' I like the feeling, when first it seems that my
strength is failing, and then suddenly you find such a strong reserve
... Overcoming difficulties makes you strong, " says Yelena Shuvayeva
Petrosyan, one of the members of the Armenian alpinists' team, which
today, February 6, are headed to Iran to climb Demavend, the highest
peak in Iran (5,671 m height mountain( about18,406 ft) and the holy
mountain in Persian mythology.
This will be the second winter ascent of Armenian alpinists on
Demavend. In 2012 another Armenian group reached the peak, leaving
behind 216 climbers from 25 countries. The Armenian team shared the
victory with Iranian climbers and became the first international team
that conquered Demavend.
Shuvaeva-Petrosyan will climb Demavend for the first time, as well as
the rest of the team. This ascent is not a tournament, and the
Armenian team will be the only one to be seen these days on Demavend,
an extinct volcano. The group consists of six people, including two
women.
"I am excited, because winter ascent to Demavend is not easy due to
strong winds and adverse weather conditions. The temperature there
could go as low as -70 C (-94 F) and the wind may reach 110 km / h.
There are no rescuers in winter season and no medical care can be
provided. We have to make 25 kilometers to reach the first camp," says
Shuvayeva-Petrosyan, the writer and the editor of "Tourist Armenia"
magazine.
"We are all full of hope and determination," she says. "As for me, I
am looking forward to feel the energy of the Holy Mountain, which is
of the same value for Iranians as Ararat for Armenians."
Yelena, as well as other team members have experience in climbing, and
were trained at the Armenian Mountaineering and Hiking Tourism
Federation (AMHF). The team started to prepare for Demavend two months
ago and climbed the tops of the Armenian Atis, Araler and Aragats
mountains, and attended lessons by Yerevan Medical University
specialists on frostbites and first aid.
AMHF was founded in 2011 through the efforts of a group of alpinism
professionals and amateurs. Souren Danielyan, the vice-president of
the federation said that Armenian mountaineering has good traditions
and roots, as it was very popular in Soviet times.
"The mountaineering climbing was strongly supported by the state and
was very popular," says Danielyan. "After the collapse of the USSR,
alpinism as a sport has almost disappeared in Armenia. Through many
years, the Armenian mountaineers and the Armenian tricolor were not
seen in any of the peaks outside of Armenia."
Due to Danielyan and his friends, mountaineering climbing started
reviving in Armenia for the last decade and eventually the group of
enthusiasts decided to set up a federation to propagandize the sport
and restore the former fame of the Armenian mountaineering.
"Our federation is not government supported. We were told since
alpinism is not an Olympic sport therefore there is no need to invest
and promote. Apart from a few, one time private investments, we are
supporting the federation and its activity by our own means."
AMHF works closely with the ministry of emergency situations;
Danielyan himself is a retired captain of rescue service.
"In the recent couple of years there appeared many amateur groups on
the social networks, encouraging young people to be engaged in extreme
sports, including climbing. This often results that untrained and
inexperienced people find themselves in mountains. Now, luckily, due
to mobile phones they can call us for help."
AMHF has several clubs in Yerevan, where all those who wish to climb
mountains can get professional trainings free of charge. The one-month
course includes lessons from geography to first aid in emergency
situations to workshops on mountains. Some classes take place in the
"Grand Sport" sport complex, which houses the only indoor climbing
rock in Armenia. After passing the exams, they receive certificates.
Last month AMHF became the first Armenian sport federation to get a
Quality Summit International Award, a prize from Business Initiative
Directions (BID) for activity in 2013.The winner was chosen during a
survey of 50 independent international experts. The Armenian
Federation says that the Quality Summit International Award, which
rates 166 countries, will further promote growth and improvements of
its activity.
"It was a real surprise for us," says Danielyan. "As we were told we
got the prize largely due to our active participation in various
public events in the country, such as tree planting, or our assistance
to veteran alpinists, as well as for our rating on the internet.
Unfortunately, we won't go to take the prize, as the ceremony takes
place in Geneva and we don't have financial means for it. But we are
proud because of another achievement too, as we managed to send eight
members of our federation to the best mountaineering school in Russia.
Upon return, the guys will train the beginners and this is really
important for us"
"The truth is that we love what we do from the bottom of our hearts
and this is the reason we overcome problems and have achievements,"
adds Danielyan.