21 September 2004, Azg/am (Melanie Badalian) - Vahagn Gurzadian and Sver Aarset Repeated the Route of Parrot and Abovian.

On August 10 two members of the British Royal Astrological Association, Vahagn Gurzadian and Sver Aarset, climbed the Biblical mount of Ararat.

Aarset managed to reach 3.800 m whereas Gurzadian reached the top. They repeated the scientific expedition of professor Parrot and Armenian writer Khachatur Abovian made 175 years ago in 1829.

The Northern slope of the mount has been a closed military zone since 1920, no foreigner was permitted. But the Turkish authorities gave permission to the Aarset-Gurzadian expedition in view of their scientific researches.

The English scientist, Sver Aarset is a prominent specialist in the field of modeling the dynamics of the galaxies.

Vahagn Gurzadian is professor of the University of Rome, head of the "Cosmologia" group in the Institute of Physics in Yerevan, board member of "Euroscience", organization elaborating the European science. He is
an editor of the US International Journal of Modern Physics D and the British Advances in Astronomy and Astrophysics book series.

The scientists had some experience of mountain climbing but the idea of Ararat expedition came to them during Aarset's visit to Yerevan for cooperation with Gurzadian and his group.

During our short meeting Vahagn Gurzadian shared some interesting details of the expedition with us.

"It was not an easy journey, there were several problems mainly at the foot of the mount not up there".

Before climbing Ararat we were on Aragats and then we left for Kars. When we approached Ararat, the territory facing Armenia turned to be a military zone with lot of armors and helicopters circling above. At
first they were very suspicious about us but in a while, after finding out who we were and what our mission was, they suggested to stay and set off the next day.

We chose the Abovian-Parrott route because it is the most natural one from the Armenian side. Abovian and Parrott managed to climb just after the 3-d try because of problems with aclimization. Our second try was successful. The night before the climb we were wondering whether our equipments would stand the glacier. Parrott's diary that I had with me helped me much, we could see that we were following their route. I left
Aarset on the height of 3000 m and continued up to 4.800 m. Even the professional mountaineers don't take the risk of climbing so up high at one stroke because the so-called mountain sickness starts. I felt dizzy and decided to go back. It was not an easy decision as I was not sure to make the second try.

Next morning we set off at 4.15. On 3.800 m Aarset decided not to continue feeling that he is holding us back. He knew that Ararat was a special symbol for me.

I feel kind of guilty that most of my friends in Armenia didn't have this chance. Even if they were here no one would let them join us. I could never imagine that the climb to Ararat would be possible only due to my scientific activity. I am very thankful to all those contributing to our expedition, especially to Arax Gold company.

Besides the fact that we were on Ararat I think that our materials on ancient monuments are not less important. We took the pictures of an Armenian church situated at the altitude of 2.100 m, an Armenian castle and other monuments of archeology and architecture.

On our way back through Etchmiadzin we told His Holiness Karekin II about our journey. By the way, Parrott also visited Etchmiadzin but before the climb, and there the Catholicos presented the 20-year-old interpreter, Khachatur Abovian.