The idea for our Anatolia trip started as a straightforward acclimatization hike before tackling higher peaks. Dave and I thought the 5,137m Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı) in Turkey would be the perfect warm-up before the 4,506m Gora Belukha in Kazakhstan. Simple, right? : ) But naturally, we decided to make things more interesting by adding…
Country: Hakkâri
Turkey – Hakkâri
Mor Dağı
A previously unreported ultra-prominent peak in Turkey? That’s a gem we definitely want to bag. Recep confirms we can climb it without permits—though some local knowledge wouldn’t hurt. After our drive two days ago, we felt a bit stressed about reaching our preferred starting point, but Erdem assured us over the phone that we could…
Kara Dağ
Two hours after takeoff from Istanbul, we touch down in Hakkâri-Yüksekova (YKO). A blast furnace greets us as we disembark; the desert heat radiating from the open aircraft doors. Despite the infernal conditions, the distant mountain range looks promising. Airport formalities are a breeze, and our guide for the trip, Recep, is waiting. Curiously, while…