Ascent to Mount Khustup
On June 19, 2026, we set off for Syunik to make our next high-mountain ascent. This time our destination was the majestic Khustup, which dominates the landscape around Kapan.
Mount Khustup is located in the Syunik region, about 9–10 km southwest of Kapan, in the Khustup–Katar mountain range. Rising to 3,201 m, the mountain stands out for its fragmented slopes, rocky walls, cliffs, and rich alpine vegetation. Its northeastern slopes are forested, and the Geghanush, Vachagan, and Shishkert rivers all rise from its various slopes.
Khustup also carries historical and symbolic significance. It is closely tied to the name of Garegin Nzhdeh, part of whose remains rest on the mountain’s slope, near the Kozni spring.
On the first day we made the long drive from Yerevan and reached Kapan. From there we continued on off-road vehicles, climbing up to our campsite at around 2,000 m above sea level.
Our camp lay under Khustup’s majestic gaze. Above the tents pitched on the green, flowering slopes rose the mountain’s massive, pale rock walls. Wildflowers, horses grazing nearby, and the mountain calm made the scene feel almost like something out of a fairy tale. Only one thing kept us from fully enjoying Khustup — the area’s extraordinary number of mosquitoes. We had never encountered so many in the mountains before.
The next day Khustup greeted us with a soft, sweet-colored sunrise. The first morning light lit the mountain’s rocks in golden and pink hues, while the successive ranges of Syunik still lay asleep in a light mist in the distance. Early in the morning we gathered and began the climb.
The route ran through slopes covered in damp, lush vegetation. In some sections the grass was taller than the children. Along the way we heard a bear growl from a deep ravine — a reminder once again that we were in the living, unpredictable world of wild nature.
One of the day’s most memorable moments was when a mountain goat and its kid appeared. They came very close to us, on Khustup’s rocky slope. The mother goat and her small kid moved confidently over the rocks. That encounter was a true gift from nature and became one of the most treasured memories of the climb.
The weather was ideal throughout the day. Clear skies and good visibility let us not only enjoy the route but also take in the beauty of Syunik’s landscape from the summit.
In the final stretch, the green slopes gave way to the rocky, stony terrain typical of Khustup. Our strong group of children, staying united, reached the summit as one. From the top, deep ravines, forested slopes, green ranges, and distant peaks opened up before us. In that moment, all the fatigue of the climb gave way to pride and the joy of standing on the summit.
After the climb we returned to the campsite, and on the third day we set off back to Yerevan, carrying with us the colors of Khustup’s sunrise, the thrill of our encounters with wildlife, and the memory of one more shared victory.
- Route length: 12 km
- Elevation gain: 1,150 m
- Khustup’s height: 3,201 m
