We tackled another less-climbed ultra-prominent peak with an impressive 179 km of isolation. The rarity of climbs, based on Peakbagger reports, might suggest it’s not frequently visited—though locals could be the exception. Regardless, the hike is definitely worthwhile due to the stunning and diverse landscapes. The terrain offers a mix of different views and challenges….
We tackled another less-climbed ultra-prominent peak with an impressive 179 km of isolation. The rarity of climbs, based on Peakbagger reports, might suggest it’s not frequently visited—though locals could be the exception. Regardless, the hike is definitely worthwhile due to the stunning and diverse landscapes. The terrain offers a mix of different views and challenges.
We chose to approach the peak from the north. Unsure if we’d reach the trailhead, we relied on maps and satellite images that hinted at success—and we were right. We parked at the end of the valley, a few hundred meters before the road turned into a rocky stream. Walking the extra distance was a minor inconvenience; on the flip side, it added an unexpected bonus. After parking, we changed and started our hike.
A hint of green stubbornly clings to life in the middle of July.
The first stretch was a relatively flat valley road along a dry stream, which eventually turned into a trail. We then climbed a gradual slope with a few switchbacks; the ascent was quite manageable. At the end of the valley, we had two options: cut straight through a large boulder saddle or add a few hundred meters to follow the trail to another saddle. We opted for the latter.
From there, we entered a greener landscape and enjoyed a flat walk before descending about 80 meters to a bowl with a lake at the far end. We didn’t reach the lake, unsure if it existed beyond the map. A few hundred meters before the lake, we turned sharply right into a gorge. Initially, we were concerned as navigating gorge bottoms can be tricky. However, the trail was relatively easy; we scrambled up the right side to avoid a small snow patch.
Interestingly, the trail sneaks from the bowl straight into a gorge.
After the gorge, we reached a plateau. Rob headed toward Killi Tepe Peak 3057 bump on the left, while I traversed directly to another saddle. The landscape was fascinating. The next saddle marked the start of a new scene as we reached the ridge, which included some sharp rocks. This made the hike more engaging, with a few exposed steps adding to the challenge.
With numerous paths and a bit of scrambling on the slopes, we choose one.
At what we initially thought was the summit, we climbed another 150 meters, only to discover that the true summit was still another half kilometer away. Despite this unexpected extra distance, the terrain was relatively flat, making the additional journey manageable. We pushed on, and soon we reached the summit cairn.
At the summit, we took in the breathtaking views and enjoyed some well-deserved snacks. Rob used his handheld device to scan the surrounding peaks and confirmed that we were indeed the highest in the area. The moment felt rewarding as the stunning panorama and our achievement sank in. After a short break, we retraced our steps, choosing a few shortcuts to bypass the ridge scrambling. Two hours later, we were back at the car. The hike proved to be both interesting and memorable, likely the highlight of our trip.
Rob traverses some rocks and heads down into the gorge.
We headed back to Gaziantep, where I have a flight home scheduled for tomorrow. Rob, meanwhile, will climb a few more peaks in Turkey. We’ll meet again soon in Mongolia to tackle the peaks we missed last year. Our next adventure will be the modest bump of Bayanzürkh Hairhan, near Ulaanbaatar, and I’m eagerly looking forward to it.
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