Odzun - Dsegh - Lorut

On Tuesday morning (October 30, 2018), I spend some time in the hostel, enjoy another warm shower, and take advantage of the offer for hot drinks and wifi. After the eleven o'clock coffee, we pack our stuff and can leave the Minihouse Hostel in Sanahin around one o'clock. We drive along the main road, once again, down to the Debed Valley and then upstream. After about 110 minutes, we leave the M6 and turn right to Odzun. So we have to climb up to a plateau again. After another good hour and a half, we reach the town center, where I visit the church. The origins of this building can probably be traced back to the 4th century, at least that's what the priest's explanations suggest. Another very beautiful little church, which looks particularly impressive in the evening sun. In the center of Odzun, I replenish our water and food supplies and then descend to the monastery trail. There I set up our tent at the first suitable spot and let the evening fade away high above the Debed Valley. Due to the lack of light pollution in the area, it is now possible to catch a glimpse of our home galaxy in the darkness. Very nice.

On Wednesday morning, we have sunshine at the tent, which makes it much easier to start the day. After the morning routine, we hike along the monastery trail, always just below the edge of the plateau, heading south. After half an hour, I leave Rango and luggage at a fork in the road and climb up to the Holomayri church ruins. Then we continue along the path to Aygehat. Rango is allowed to guard the backpack in a cave while I walk into the village and look for a coffee. Back at the truck, I briefly talk to my grandparents, the ten euros of credit are gone without a trace in less than 15 minutes, just like the connection to Jahnsbach. Criminals! In the afternoon, we hike to the Kobayr monastery, which is currently being restored by a few locals, and then continue to Tumanjan. I decide to make my way a bit further towards the next village. At the entrance to the ascent to Dsegh, we fill up with food and water again and then set up our camp at the next suitable spot.

Thursday, November 1, 2018, also greets us with sunshine. Around twelve o'clock, we start the ascent to Dsegh. On the way, we pass another church ruin. A few decades ago, there was a strong earthquake in the Lori region, and the temple may have been a victim of it. Not much is left intact. Shortly after one o'clock, we reach the center of Dsegh, and I treat myself to some sweets before we continue hiking. I want to try to reach Dilijan and then Lake Sevan via the mountains to the southeast. So, we continue on the Dsegh plateau, descend into the Marts Valley, and then walk along the water upstream. The landscape is still very beautiful. In the afternoon, we are picked up by a minivan, which takes us to the turnoff to Lorut. By that time, we have already covered about 15 kilometers. So, I'm not unhappy when the opportunity arises to be taken further up into the village shortly afterwards. We get off in front of a market, I stock up on food for the next 2 - 3 days, and we find a place on the outskirts of the village for our camp. A young local offers accommodation in his house and wants to pick us up an hour later. Since the guy seemed slightly tipsy, dismantling the tent is not an option for now, and I make myself comfortable for the night. No one else shows up in the next few hours...