Year-End Summary Event
Since in 2022 we made our first ascent outside Armenia, it was time to hold a report event presenting the results of that year and of our seven years of activity overall. The event was called “2+0+2+3=7 years” (the digits of 2023 add up to 7). As always, the event was to take place in February, since that is the month the club began its activities. As always, the hall was full of guests: leaders of various hiking clubs, people who follow and are interested in our work, parents, children, relatives and friends. The atmosphere in the hall helped the children hosting the event overcome their nerves, and we began.
Besides presenting the path we have traveled both in Armenia and abroad, the “2+0+2+3=7 years” event also introduced the “Junior Mountaineer” badge, which was the most important highlight. It was important not only for the event itself, but for mountaineering in general.
The basis for awarding the badge is the protocol of the general assembly and the decision of the president of the Armenian Federation of Alpinism and Mountain Tourism, which approved:
- the procedure for awarding the “Junior Mountaineer” title;
- the design of the “Junior Mountaineer” badge;
- the design of the “Junior Mountaineer” badge certificate;
- the training and ascent programs of the first stage of initial preparation (IP-1) for the “Junior Mountaineer” badge.
That day, 13 children of 4 Peaks Alpine Club who had completed the program — and then some — received the “Junior Mountaineer” badge. The children’s ascents in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the other days of that trip were presented in detail. We also presented the ascent of the four peaks of Aragats, which is the main program whose completion makes a child eligible for the “Junior Mountaineer” badge. Certificates of appreciation were given to the children who showed great willpower during the ascents. As a report, we also shared some statistics, which looked like this:
□ Lessons were organized for 22 groups, with 209 children taking part and 194 completing the program;
□ Hikes were organized to 123 destinations: 79 mountain summits and 44 trails;
□ 8 seven-day “Tent Camps” were organized in Stepanavan;
□ 5 large cleanups were organized;
□ Largest group ascent: 101 people on Mount Ara;
□ Largest overnight hike: 65 people on the shore of Lake Akna, with an ascent of Lchasar and, the next day, Azhdahak;
□ Most summits in one day: 7 peaks of the Pambak Mountains (Hol, Gndik, Arkayits, Odzatagh, Azhdaha, Maghkhaz, Pahakasar);
□ Some of the hardest or most incredible ascents: Mount Aramazd, Karkatar from Hors village, the four peaks of Aragats, the North Peak of Aragats from Gegharot, seven summits in one day, Siah Gog…
□ Highest summit: Mount Siah Gog (4,500 m);
□ An established tradition: on January 28, an ascent of a summit and a visit to Yerablur;
□ Rear guards and lead guards from among the children;
□ 5 report events have been organized;
□ Participation in the After Hiking project;
□ A memorandum of cooperation;
□ We have the www.4Peaks.am website, a song, a flag and a logo;
□ 13 of the club’s children have received the “Junior Mountaineer” badge.
We closed the event by performing the club’s song “Mountains”.
