Ten Years on the Mountain Path
During the “Ten Years on the Mountain Path” event held on March 6, the journey of the “4 Peaks” Youth Mountain Club from 2016 to 2026 was presented. The event was an opportunity to look back at the past decade and remember the people, projects, and initiatives that have shaped the club’s history.
Over these years, the club has evolved not only as a community organizing expeditions but also as a non-formal education platform where children acquire essential knowledge and skills. Lessons have covered mountain hazards, correct actions during disasters, expedition planning and preparation, orientation, map reading, first aid, altitude sickness, hiking gear, and many other topics. This knowledge helps children not only in the mountains but also in various life situations in general.
Over the ten years, lessons were organized for 28 groups, with 273 children participating, and 247 successfully completing the educational program.
Mountain expeditions are also a vital part of the club’s activities. Over the years, many interesting and sometimes quite challenging climbs have been carried out, including ascending the four peaks of Aragats in a single day, as well as Mount Azhdahak, Mets Abul, Aramazd, Nigasar, and other summits.
The number of children participating in expeditions has grown year by year. Unfortunately, we were only able to provide a clear numerical picture starting from 2024, as we did not track participant counts prior to 2024.
- 2024 – 926 participants
- 2025 – 1,124 participants
- 2026 – already 140 participants
The club has not limited its activities to the mountains of Armenia. Over the years, international mountain trips have also been organized in Iran (Siah-Gog, South Siah-Gog, and Rostam-Nisht peaks), Russia (Bezengi high-altitude mountain camp), Georgia (Mount Abul and Lagodekhi National Park), and an ascent of Mount Ararat was also carried out.
Other important directions of the club’s activities include tent camps, which have been organized fourteen times—in Stepanavan (11 times) and Sevan (3 times)—as well as environmental initiatives, during which cleanup events were held in various natural areas across Armenia.
During the decade, the “Junior Mountaineer” program was also established, within which 40 children have already received the corresponding badge by completing the educational curriculum and performing a climb of a specified difficulty.
Throughout these years, many people have stood by the “4 Peaks” club—friends, partners, supporters, and club members whose contributions played a vital role in shaping this journey.
The event was full of touching and memorable moments. Beautiful musical performances were played throughout the evening, creating a special atmosphere. One of the most moving moments was the final part of the event, when the club’s children took the stage to perform the club’s song “Mountains” (lyrics and music by Shushan Rubenyan). At that moment, it felt as if everyone in the hall had been transported to the mountains, remembering the journey shared together and the climbs yet to come.
The event was primarily hosted by the club’s children, which gave the evening a unique warmth and sincerity. The opening moment was especially impressive: children from the club’s first group, Mikayel and Evelina, who started this journey at just 12 years old, took the stage. Today they are 22, and although they no longer participate in expeditions, they returned with great love to take part in the club’s most important event and open it beautifully. During the opening, they were joined by one of the club’s youngest participants, Monte, who is only 8 years old. This symbolic meeting on stage seemed to unite the club’s entire path—past, present, and future—with the first generation of children and the new generation standing side by side.
One of the key highlights of the event was the presentation of the journey to Ararat, shared on stage by club members Maya and Rafael. Following their story, the audience watched a film about the children’s ascent of Mount Ararat, which once again transported the viewers back to those difficult but triumphant days.
During the evening, several certificates and letters of appreciation were awarded to those who showed great willpower, the most active hikers of 2025, the most active mother of 2025, those who participated in the most expeditions in the club’s history, the graduates of the 28th group, and those who climbed Ararat.
A special moment was when 10 club members received the “Junior Mountaineer” badge. This badge is given to children who have completed the educational program and carried out a climb of a specified difficulty, proving their readiness, courage, and love for the mountains.
All these episodes together became a beautiful reminder that the “4 Peaks” Youth Club is not just about children’s expeditions. It is a path that unites generations, building friendship, trust, and a great love for the mountains.
