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: Kahraman Maras
Turkey – Kahraman Maras
Killi Tepe
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….
Uludaz
I land in Gaziantep after 3 a.m. By 4 a.m., Rob and I are at the airport—our third reunion on this trip. At 9 a.m., it’s not just Rob and me, but our car stopping near the summit of Uludaz, another ultra-prominent mountain in Turkey. We park a little lower, at one of the switchbacks….
Engizek Dağı – Attempt
Early in the morning, we drove to the ultra-prominent Uludaz. After an easy drive, we turned our attention to Engizek Dağı. We detoured to Ahirdaği and Ahir Dağı—Peak 2345 along the way. By the time we reached the base of Engizek Dağı, it was already late afternoon. We hoped for a quick hike, but time…
Ahir Daği – Peak 2345
After taking in the views of Kahramanmaraş from Ahirdaği, we traveled a bit further east toward the more prominent Ahir Daği (p940). A paved road leads to the ski center, followed by a reasonably good unpaved road that approaches the summit. The road ends a few hundred meters from the top, so we parked at…
Ahirdaği
After a superb breakfast in Kahramanmaraş, we briefly explore the area and spot the enticing Ahirdaği peak. Checking the maps shows a P300 road leading straight to the summit. With some time on our hands, we head towards the communication masts at the top. Soon, we park near the high point and walk a couple…