Mountains and again mountains …

Everything began with "Club of tourists", where I subscribed to a seminar in 1985. As a result of this seminar there was expected the tourist trip for 10 days. Before it we were taken for 2 day trip to Zedazeni (the monastery near Tbilisi). The backpacks were probably about 8-10 kilograms, not more. But I could not resist it ... I understood, that 10-day trip would be too hard for me ... And I began to train – packed stones in backpack and walked outside of the city I felt pain in my back, but I continued training.
Next year I subscribed the seminar again.
And here is my first a long trip – The West Caucasus (Abkhazia), spring of 1986. It was gravely, wet and cold. I slept on sponge in sleeping bag which was thin as blanket. A synthetic mat and downy sleeping bag was something beyond reach for me …

Then began trips to the sports camps. There I started to gain necessary things and addresses. The downy sleeping bag was sent to me from Lvov, the tent of parachute brought my friend from Moscow, the downy jacket was made in Tbilisi, the titanium carbines brought from Gori my another friend, the synthetic mat I bought in camp…
So I started to look like a person …

My friends Viktor and Rem

During one of the seasons in sports camp I got acquainted with boys from Tbilisi - Rem and David. We were in different groups, but in camp we lived in the same tent. After returning home Rem  and I  began training together. After work I often called at him.

So formed our bundle …

We climbed together until he went abroad. After he had departed, it was difficult for me to find a new partner for ascents. And general situation in our country changed. So, since that time I had not been on technically difficult paths. In 1 or 2 day trips I usually go alone (may be it sounds strange). My family is worried, certainly, but as this began long ago, they got accustomed a little.

Through Rem I got acquainted with Viktor.
He had been concerned with the tourism. After sports camp we usually went to tourist hike with big group of people. Sometimes combine the ascents with tourism – Rem, David and I went on tops, and others  made the small radial walks. Once in Chaukhi (East Caucasus) there were even children with us - David’s son and Viktor’s daughter. They were about 6 years old.
Soon our company disintegrated – everybody departed to different places (Moscow, Germany, Israel and so on). Now Viktor  and I, if we have time, go to small trips.
In Summer 2000 Viktor, his daughter Alexandra ( 15 years old ) and I were in Pshavi (Region of Georgia) for 10 days.

The mauntains help me to live …

Once Rem and I decided to do an ascent in October on mountain Asatiani (4a, Chaukhi). The road went via the villages. In every village the natives told us: «Where are you going? There is fresh  snow already and avalanche can be. You will perish».
But in spite of this, we continued our way. I always remember this event, when it becomes gravely in life. We nevertheless rose to the top. I remember, when we were standing on top, it was terrible - white desert was around us. It’s a totally different feeling, when down there is encampment and except you there are lots of people. I was forced to do the autotraining - "I am absolutely calm, it isn’t terrible". By the way, during this ascent I remain on declivity without rope... Brother Rem (as I called him) did everything correctly and pulled me out.

A little about running …

• “Hi, Revaz. How are you?”
• “Well, Robert, thank you. Yesterday I ran to Jvari monastery from my house… ”
• “Are you mad?”
• “I don’t know…”

                                     (From telephone conversation with my friend)

I like running very much. Recently I began to practice the cross-country races on long distances out of town. Once I have decided to run from 48 kilometers of Manglisi road (Manglisi - resort in 55 km. from Tbilisi) to Didgori, and from there by range to “Didi Digomi” (the district of Tbilisi). After it I has solved to run to Kojori by freeway (the resort in 20 km from Tbilisi).
It was all right, but it was nerve-racking - foreign cars go too quickly. 

After it I ran from Mtskheta (the ancient capital of Greorgia in 20 km from Tbilisi) to priory Shio-Mgvime. In 2000 autumn on Mstkhetoba (the holiday in town Mtskheta) I ran from my house (Metro - station “Gotsiridze”) to priory Jvari. In 2001 summer I repeated the route through Didgori.

Such deal...

The family tourism

In 1996 was born our daughter Mariam (I had already a son David 10 years old from first marriage) and already in summer we began hiking with her. I carried Mariam in "kangaroo". Often together we went to Botanical Garden, where there is a rock for training. There she slept on a small rug near the waterfall or on a glade while I was training. When she grew up a little, we had to wait till she began to walk, because she was too heavy to carry her all the way. After a certain period the part of trip Mariam went by herself, but on steep areas I took her on my back – she sat on rucksack as on the horse. In such position she even manage to take a daytime nap.

We walked anytime of the year...
Sometimes we take with us my son David and wife's niece.

Mariam particularly rejoices, when during our hiking we meet some animals. We saw the vixens, terrapins, crabs (in Kojori in one of the creeks). When I am walking alone, she always asks me afterwards, whom I saw and I tell her «stories from life». The arithmetic tasks, that I give her, are from life too.

Because of daughter I began to light fires on bivouacs – to tell the true, I don't like be busy with fire. When I go alone, I always take a small kerosene stove or gas burner. I prefer to sit on hillock, look at the horizon, admire neighborhood instead of fiddle with fire.. But Mariam likes collect the firewood, making tea and sometimes even boil the soup.

I try to build the route so, that we can see some historical monument, even semi destroyed – a little church or fortress. There are greater amount of them in vicinities of Tbilisi.

In spring we took Mariam to Mtskheta, to Svetitskhoveli temple. Recently we went up to Narikala (the ancient fortress in Tbilisi).

During our hiking I always turn her attention on ornament on stones, which even small church has.

And finally, the most important - cleaning after myself.
I do not like, when after me remains even a small paper. The same we teach Mariam. I always repeat to her that it  is our wood, our mountains, our glade and all this is necessary to keep.
We hope that when she will grown up, she will do the same...