On Aug. 4, Alexan Bayanduryan, 34, made the strenuous climb to the summit of Mt. Ararat on one leg and a pair of crutches as part of an international expedition. Armenian American Varuzhan Amirhanian from the Pyunic Union for the Disabled joined and assisted Bayanduryan, whose climb up Mt. Ararat came after three years of training.
In 1993, during the Artsakh War, Bayanduryan lost his left leg to a mine explosion. A father of two, he is known to be an active sportsman, participating in a number of wheelchair marathons, as well as an annual climb to the top of Mt. Aragats since 1997, organized by Pyunic.
“I was unaware of the difficulties I might face. The main obstacles came across at an elevation of 4,200 miles, but then oxygen shortage and headache were easily overcome. My mission was to climb Ararat in the name of the fallen soldiers-liberators, and I achieved my goal. Unfortunately, we could not see Armenia from the top because of the fog,” he said during a press conference.
Bayanduryan is the first man to climb the mountain on one foot. His next challenge will be to conquer Mt. Everest. “I must reach the summit of Everest. After a three-year effort, I managed to climb Ararat. Let’s see how much time I will need to scale Everest,” he was quoted as saying.
The Pyunic Union for the Disabled was established in 1988, and currently has 3,000 members. Its mission has been to protect the rights and legal interests of the disabled; to support the financial, medical, social, physical, and psychological needs of its members; and to promote sports for the disabled. Among other projects, the organization, whose director Hakob Abrahamyan is also president of the Armenian National Paralympics Committee, supported the two athletes who participated in the 2010 Paralympics that took place in Vancouver, Canada. The annual climb to the top of Mt. Aragats, organized by Pyunic, is scheduled to take place on Sept. 21.
In September 2009, Erik Weinmayer became the first known blind person to reach the summit of Mt. Ararat. The first recorded climb to the summit was made by explorer Dr. Friedrich Parrot, a professor of physics, and educator and poet Khachatur Abovian in 1829.
About 20 miles south of the Armenian border, the snow covered Mt. Ararat stands nearly 17,000 feet tall. It is believed to be the resting place of Noah’s Ark, and is a national symbol for Armenians worldwide.
Nanore Barsoumian
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12 Comments To "A One-Legged Climb to the Top of Mt. Ararat"
#1 Comment By Vahn On August 18, 2010 @ 2:29 pm
A very inspiring story. Abris Alexan. Thanks Nanore to bringing it to our attention
#2 Comment By Harry Parsekian On August 18, 2010 @ 3:03 pm
Great triumph for Alexan, after training for three years and achieving his goal.
It is something that will stay with him the rest of his life as he gazes at Ararat from Armenia.
Thank you for this inspiring story and I wish all Armenians could climb Ararat and get
the feeling of reaching the bosom of the Armenian people. It is both physically and mentally challenging yet greatly rewarding.
#3 Comment By MOUNT ARARAT GUIDE On November 3, 2010 @ 12:07 pm
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#4 Comment By Boyajian On August 18, 2010 @ 5:36 pm
Alexan, we are all longing to climb Mt. Ararat. Thanks for your inspiration.
#5 Comment By gayane On August 18, 2010 @ 7:46 pm
Alexan… I am proud of your dedication and strength… It is truly touching to learn that your achievement was dedicated to those fallen during the war.. I am sure they are proud of you as well.
My dream is to see Mt. Ararat face to face one day.. and as the Armenian Jewel on the Armenian land and not part of Turkey…
May God Bless young men and women who put aside their hardship and physical state and go for what they believe in…
Thank you for sharing this story with us.. Very inspiring….
Gayane
#6 Comment By Vanessa Kachadurian On August 19, 2010 @ 11:55 pm
Bravo Alexan, you show the true Armenian spirit of never giving up and strength to endure. You had your successful climb with a dear friend of ours Vatche Soghomonian who is in his 70s with the stamina of a 20 year old.
God Bless you and your love of Armenia, we can all learn about Armenian patriotism for our motherland. Thank you for setting the example to all.
#7 Comment By Sylva-MD-Poetry On August 20, 2010 @ 2:18 pm
Hye(Hi) Alexan Araratian
I wish I was ‘Your Other Leg’
To climb with you.
You achieved your ambition by one
How about …if you had two!
But you have million Armenian limbs with you
You achieved every Armenian wish
And we’re proud… as if we were with you.
You don’t need to climb mount Everest
That mount everyone can crew.
You climbed Ararat
That has different taste for Us and You;
You signed your steps on the rocks
Your breathe will remain breeding there.
Please call more youths
To dance ‘Sabre Dance’…
Fixing on the top our united flags.
We send our million blessings
To see you once again there
When you reach age ninety
With passionate serene dative Armenian spirits
With million elegant arms and legs dancing with you.
Sylva Portoian
#8 Comment By Mary On August 21, 2010 @ 11:46 pm
Uhhh, how wonderful, we are all very proud of him and all the disabled people in the world who accomplish so much. GOOD JOB!!!!
#9 Comment By Archie Azizian On August 24, 2010 @ 1:44 pm
A fantastic story and achievement by Alexan (a one legged man) who has accomplished the impossible by climbing the Mt. Ararat, the pride and joy of the whole Armenian race.Alexan, you are a great aspiration not only to the whole Armenian people in the world, but the entire disabled people around the world.
#10 Comment By Dlkshad Kanbelian On October 15, 2010 @ 6:40 pm
lave lave :)
#11 Comment By Pier Carolli On December 20, 2010 @ 3:29 pm
Hi Dear All,
I was on Ararat in 2009 summer.(25 Augost).
I climbed with a travel company in Dogubabayzit.He organise tour to Ararat and East region.
I profere you to climb with him.
There is a his website but I have’nt his phone number.
I can say that he is number 1 for Mt.Ararat..
http://www.araratsunrises.com
#12 Comment By John On January 23, 2011 @ 9:47 am
Hi Pier
It is looks very good ..I will climb with them in 2011 Summer.(22th June)