A Trip to Highest Mountain of Turkey

For those who do not know about Turkey's nature a lot, I will tell you now a little bit. So Turkey is a country where you can experience -40 and 45 degrees, go to amazing mountains and natural areas.There are some times that you can see snow in east and you can swim in west at the same time. It is not the biggest country but It is not that small either. From west to east It takes more than 2000 km.

So It was around 2013 when I went to Ağrı.It is the highest mountain in Turkey.A mountain that is 5138 meters high. It is the highest mountain in Turkey but not the hardest. As there is a nice path than you can walk. You do not have to climb anything. Mostly people go to mountain in summer as it is easier to reach to peak. I also went in summer. First of all you have to go to Dogubeyazıt town of Agrı city. In there you can find sever agencies and hotels. If you go by a local agency, they will arrange everything for you of course depending on money and agreement. We were a mountaineering climb so we went with this agency that our leader had known for some time. They carry your backpacks with animals also water and stuff again depending on your agreement. We brought our own water and food. You can also go on your own you don't have to make a deal with any agency but you do have to get a permission from military in the area and let them know when you go and when you will come back.

So the first camp is at 3200 meters and the last place you can reach by car is at around 2000 so it is a couple of hours of nice walk to first camp to acclimatize as you definitely need it. It is a quite nice place If I am not wrong there was a spring that you could get water. I am not sure though. After that you walk to second camp which is at 4200 meters. So at this camp you might have altitude sickness which is headache and fatigue and maybe can be hard to breath kind of. Headache and breathing problem happened to me. The medicine was going to a higher altitude around 4500 meters. I went there and waiter for an hour. When I came down I was better. After this If weather is good you can start walking for peak at midnight and you can be in the peak in 3 hours depending on your pace. At around you will need ice shoes because up there it is totally ice and frozen. You will have an amazing view at the peak that is for sure so do not be like me and have back up batteries with you. The return to the city can be done in the same day after peak. You will be in the city at around 5 I can say. Weather is really changeable so be ready for anything.

At the end you will have an amazing time for sure. You can ask your questions as comments. I will be glad to answer.

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