Caucasus Hike 2: Central Armenia
Day 16: The Meeting Point of Four Countries 31.4 kms, June 22, 2021 Going around one last bend... and there it is. The wide, open plain of the Aras River laid out before him. The flattest area the Traveler has seen since the beginning of this hike. And rising up on the other side is the majestic Mount Ararat. Along the side, are the first patches of green with irrigated orchards showing the beginning of one of Armenia's most important agricultural regions. The Traveler takes a moment to let it all soak in. One of the things that makes Ararat such a special mountain, is that it stands all alone, surrounded by open plains. A standalone mountain give off a much greater aura of grandeur than a mountain surrounded by other mountains, the Traveler thinks. Unfortunately, the view is marred by a gray haze covering the valley. The Traveler assumes it must be due to pollution—as over a million people, a third of Armenia's population live in this valley. So Mt Ararat ...