After climbing Akbaba Tepesi, we realized Sabri, one of our drivers, wasn’t just good company—he’s also an avid hiker. He joined us on the ascent, slower but determined, earning a well-deserved pat on the back. On the way down, I asked if he’d drive us to Kessi Dagi the next morning before our flight. He agreed, and just like that, we had a plan.
The next morning, we met Sabri at the hotel and headed off toward another ultra-prominent peak. Sabri suggested approaching from the south, but a quick map check showed it was the long, scenic route—great for a leisurely day, but we had a plane to catch. We needed to be back at Erzincan airport by 2 pm. The northern route offered two options: the shorter, eastward path, possibly still under construction (it’s been a work-in-progress for a decade), or the longer, westward road, likely paved. We rolled the dice on the shorter option. Despite some construction, we made it through.
The road to the trailhead was in decent shape, recently flattened, but a high-clearance vehicle was crucial for creek crossings. Without it, you’d be adding a few extra kilometers to your hike—a delightful surprise, no doubt.
We parked near a picturesque lake with a waterfall, geared up, and started hiking. The initial slopes were a breeze, leading us to an upper lake, which we circled on the right. Then, the terrain got serious—rocky, rugged, and enough descents and re-ascents to slow us down considerably. We found a faint trail, which helped on the loose terrain. A few hundred meters later, we hit the ridge and finally got some sunshine. The ridge walk was a pleasant, gradual climb over grassy terrain.
At the summit, we found a wooden plate with a name Esence Dağı 3549m —a bit of unexpected trivia. We snapped our usual selfie, enjoyed an apple, and started our descent. On the rugged plateau, we took a shortcut to the right, heading straight to the car, where Sabri and Adam were waiting. Adam wisely skipped this peak after some altitude issues on Ararat—probably for the best.
It was a fantastic day, another ultra-prominent peak added to our list. This one was fifty meters taller than Akbaba Tepesi, with a solid 142 km of isolation. We drove back to Erzincan airport, taking a longer but well-paved road on Sabri’s suggestion. It was the right call. We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to relax before our flight. For Dave, this was his last planned peak in Turkey before heading to Kazakhstan for Gora Belukha. Steven and Adam were off to Norway for more peaks, while I was bound for Istanbul. Ironically, I’d almost fly back to Gaziantep to meet Rob for another climb—Uludaz and Killi Tepe. The world’s both small and vast when you’re a peakbagger!
Steven’s account of our hike can be found here.
