Navigating the snowy mountains of Yerevan

Mountains have always been something I have loved. Though, coming from the South East of England, they're seen more as an otherworldy addition to the environment to me. And the fact that I haven't really travelled much, to suddenly be around such vast natural creations, the feeling of being sheltered in; constant moments of The Lord of the Rings come to mind. Cliffedges stand far above, snow covering most of the surroundings with different tones as the light bounces around. I climbed up the side of one mountain, relics from the fourth century were visible in the form of caves and religious symbols had been carved out. Impressive and beautiful, somehow found in the growing height of that mountain. Rocky, with ice on the first few steps and all the way up, I found it to be an experience I had never thought I'd find myself in; a realisation of where I was, what I was doing. It hit pretty hard, this strange feeling of peace and excitement. The history that seemed so gentle, so old, and so inviting despite the dangers of getting to it and down. Nobody else was to climb up that area, I guess I was stupid enough to attempt it. All the way to the largest cave in which the fear of trying to get back down began to enter. Slopes, ice, and the camera gear weighing on my back.

I took so many images that I will likely share them over the next few days, I don't see the point in lazily throwing them all into one post with such little context. So, for now I just want to share some of the introductory ones that don't necessarily need it. The beautiful nature around. The stray dogs that roamed the area with such excitement for every person they saw. To the point where I just had to pet them and give them hugs, knowing I could trust them a little more than the ones found in the city. This area contained a church so old that it is protected as a heritage site. A church carved part out of the mountain with such incredible sophistication. Such beauty to it that makes it feel like you really have just stepped into a fantasy world full of magic, and huge halls lost in time. Columns that stand tall and cold in the dark. I think the weather really added to it all. That unforgiving harshness of winter. But the beauty in the visuals and sounds: a stream that flowed around. The water that dripped from melting snow and ice. The echo inside empty halls and the sight of your breath with the flash of a phone torch just to be able to see anything.

To write about this is a struggle. It's hard to put such beauty into words, to describe the emotions felt to witness such historical importance. Not kept away in some museum or blocked off from the public. Open, to be able to touch it all, walk through it. And even drink the holy water that runs through the church from the mountains. Old carvings and artwork still present. I'll be going through my photographs over the next few days, researching more on the location, and writing about it a bit more. But for now, here are some of those beautiful views that hold the church within its safe hands. Note the cross that sits in the mountain!

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