HIGH QUALITY GUIDING IN THE TURKISH MOUNTAINS

An expedition’s heavy load carried by a mule in the Northern Aladag - Cımbar Valley.

Turkey, known as Asia Minor throughout the world, is a country of mountains. From western end to to the far eastern end, many well-known mountains adorn this land of rich cultures. You are obviously missing something great if you did not yet see the Turkish mountains: from the rocky Taurus ranges along the Mediterranean Sea to the legendary Mount Argeus in the middle Anatolia; from the Pontic Alps in the Northeastern flanks of the country to the holy Mount Ararat ..

Now with our advent, you can have high quality guiding and an expert help for organising a climb to any of the Turkish mountains. Look for the experience and capabilities of this guiding service and compare them to other trekking & mountain companies' guides and services - you will immediately see the difference.. We are just a few guides who always climb, both in Turkey and abroad- with a total of many years of fine climbing experience on snow, rock, ice and high - altitude.

We encourage novices, intermediate level climbers and experts from all age levels to join us throughout the Turkish wilderness, experience the yet uncrowded hills and pleasant, diverse cultures..

The most important thing in our climbs is, we conduct small- team expeditions, fast and effective. Safety and fun - in a real team spirit- are the foremost matters we consider important. You will be climbing alongside the most safety conscious, experienced and caring guides to be found in Turkey.

The Tourism Company SENECA TOURISM is the one we have been working in close relationship: they conduct all the arrangements in touristic sevices, accomodation and transport as well as the additional services. Their reliability is our guarantee!

Web Address: www.senecatour.com
e-mail:info@senecatour.com

One of the magnificient Barazama waterfalls, which are reached by means of a 50 mile long trek at the end of the Trans-Aladag  ıtınerary.

GUIDE CV SECTION

TUNç FINDIK

Born in 1972, Tunç Fındık is a Turkish climber and guide book writer to the Turkish mountains. He has been actually climbing for 12 years with a nature sports background of nearly 18 years- including technical speleology. He is the second Turkish climber to scale Mount Everest, and first to do so from the Nepali side. He has climbed more than 70 new routes,first winter routes and first Turkish ascents of many peaks in the Turkish mountains and abroad: he climbed in Nepal- Himalaya Mountains, Pakistan- Karakorum mountains, Kyrghistan - Tien-Shan and Pamir Mountains, ıran- Alborz Mountains, Georgia- Eastern Caucasian mountains, Russian Federation- Middle Caucasian Mountains, Bulgaria, French Alps and Scotland. He is a volunteer in the Turkish Search and Rescue Society AKUT and acts as the leader of Ankara Mountain Operations Unit, having participated in numerous rescue operations. Tunç worked as a climbing instructor and translator in the former Turkish Mountaineering Federation. He has an extensive archive of over 14.000 slides and occasionally works as a photographer. Tunc speaks excellent English and is married, living in the Turkey's capital city Ankara. He earns his life from writing and translating books, giving motivational talks and getting sponsorships, as well as guiding. Tunç has been writing on Turkish adventure and climbing magazines and has his own web page: www.tuncfindik.com
  

At the summıt of an 3600 m. high summit  in the Aladag.

KÜRŞAT AVCI

Born in 1972, Kürşat Avcı is a pharmacist by his university degree but he works as the head of Turkish Red Cross' Search and Rescue Unit, and he is a Search and Rescue specialist with many qualifications, including being an instructor of first-aid. He is a competent climber on rock, ice and snow, having at least 10 years of experience and has climbed extensively both in Turkey and abroad. He has many first ascents, first winter ascents and first Turkish ascents to his credit in Turkish mountains. Kürşat has also climbed in Kyrghistan- Tien-Shan Mountains, Bulgaria and Russian Federation-Caucasia. He worked as the head mountain guide in Turkish companies for many years with an excellent record of safe guiding and he is a qualified mountaineering instructor, having been employed by tourism companies and also the former Turkish Mountaineering Federation. Occasionally writing in the Turkish climbing magazines, Kürşat has a big archive of climbing photographs and also his own web page concerning mountaineering: www.kavci.cjb.net. Kürşat speaks very good English and he is married, living in Ankara.

MOUNTAINS

AGRI DAGI (MOUNT ARARAT)

Mount Ararat stands as the loftiest point of Turkey with it's height of 5165 metres, and is situated in the extreme eastern corner of Turkey at the border with ıran and Armenia. The mountain is reputed to be the place where ''The Noah's Ark'' is to be found- as featured in the Bible. Ararat is a dormant volcano with a perennial ice cap and a glacier armor covering the western, northern and eastern sides of the mountain. Rising up from a flatland, Ararat has it's own weather patterns year round: severe blizzards, thunderstorms and high winds are not rare. The classical south face route of Ararat is simple: Up to 4800 metres it is a hard trekking following a mule path and then one has to negotiate the glacier cap to get to the summit. It is here that, in summer and in winter you need an ice axe, a pair of crampons and maybe a fixed rope line to get hold of. The other routes of Ararat such as West Ridge 'Parrot Glacier' route or Northeast Ridge are more steeper, longer and harder to approach and involve more climbing over glacier terrain. Any climb up Ararat necessitates fixing of two camps at around 3200 and 4300 metres, both in summer and winter.

Great white Mount Ararat in a winter morning. The left hand ridge is the Western Ridge/Parrot Glacier Route and the South Face Route is directly facing the camera.

The sufficient time needed for an ascent of Mt. Ararat (together with the trip to the eastern Turkey and spare days for possible bad weather) is 8 to 10 days.

The best time for climbing Ararat in summer is june and august. In winter the preferred months are february and march. Notwithstanding, expeditions to Ararat can be arranged at any time of the year as you wish.

On our climbs, the minimum number of clients is 1, and maximum number is 6. Please call us for extra numbers.
The general trip itinerary for climbing Mount Ararat from any route is as follows:

DAY 1- Meeting at the airport of a big city in the Eastern Turkey- either Van, Agrı or Kars. Travel to the town of Dogubeyazıt or Igdır and overnıght at the hotel.
DAY 2- Rest, sightseeing and getting the provisions for the climb.
DAY 3- Camp 1, 3200 metres.
DAY 4- Camp 2, 4200 metres.
DAY 5- Summit day
DAY 6 and 7 - Reserve days for any delay- weather, illness, etc.
DAY 8- Back to the town of Dogubeyazıt or Igdır, overnight at the hotel.
DAY 9- Flight back to ıstanbul.

East face of Mount Ararat in summertime.

The route alternatives, departure dates and prices are as below:
" Classical Route -South Face: Easiest way up Ararat, often scaled by so many climbers and trekkers. With the arrangement of lorry and mules for tranportation of loads up to the camp 2 (4200 metres), this route does not necessitate the carrying of huge loads on back.. This convenient route is reached from the town of Dogubeyazıt.
" West Ridge- ''Parrot Glacier Route'': A moderate glacier route and in our opinion, the finest route with the best scenery to the top.. Camping around the spectacular Lake Küp at the foot of the west ridge, this fine route is reached from the town of Igdır, and crossing of a glacier terrain is involved. This is real mountaineering, with the team members carrying everything on their backs and cooperating with the guide.
" Northeast Ridge Route: Being a moderate route, this is the place that you will be away from the crowds of people. Approach is from the town of Igdır and ıs really strenuous, and on the way up encounters with the wild life is not rare. This route involves scrambling and easy climbing among the rocky ridges and snow couloirs of the northeast face, with a severely icy steep part - albeit short- near the top, and the excellent views of the purely conical shaped Mt. Little Ararat.
" Winter ascent of Ararat: The Eastern Turkey's enormous cold can be - 40 in towns with an altitude of 1500 metres.. and in 5000 metres, it can be similar to the deep cold of the Arctic regions! Climbing Ararat in winter, even from the easiest route, can be very challenging and demanding.. Try this frozen mountain this winter, together with our specialized team. Please ask for the details.

The high camp at 4200m. on the south face of Ararat, in winter.

Climbers at the 5165m. high summit of Ararat, in a marvellous winter’s day. The conical shaped peak  beyond is Little Ararat Peak.

MOUNT SUBHAN-MOUNT ARARAT JOINT CLIMB

This programme is just a longer version of the one above, and it allows much better acclimatisation for climbing Mount Ararat.
Mount Sübhan, an extinct volcano of 4044 metres altitude, lies just west of Lake Van. The route involves easy trekking right up to the top, and the views of Ararat and Lake Van is just marvellous. Acclimatising here to 4000 metres, it is much easier to ascend Mount Ararat after this climb. Also, sightseeing around Lake Van is not to be missed -at any cost!

The itinerary, departure dates and prices are as below:
DAY 1- Meeting at the airport of Van and overnıght at the hotel in Van
DAY 2- Rest, sightseeing and getting the provisions for the climb
DAY 3- High camp at Mount Suphan
DAY 4- Summit day
DAY 5- Back to Van and overnight at the hotel
DAY 6- Travel to the town of Igdır or Dogubeyazıt according to the chosen route for climbing Mount Ararat
DAY 7- Rest, sightseeing and getting the provisions for the Ararat climb
DAY 8- Camp 1 at Ararat
DAY 9- Camp 2 at Ararat
DAY 10- Summit day
DAYS 11 and 12- Reserve days for any delay
DAY 13- Back to the town of Igdır or Dogubeyazıt
DAY 14- Flight back to ıstanbul.

DEPARTURE DATES FOR SUBHAN- ARARAT JOINT CLIMB:
July 5, 2003
August 2, 2003

PRICES FOR SUBHAN- ARARAT JOINT CLIMB:
Please call for the prices for one person, two persons and three plus persons.
Our prices are for the fixed departure times above, please call for winter ascents and custom designed itineraries.

KAÇKAR MOUNTAINS

A fine pasture and  misty green hills around Elevit, Kackar Mountains.

Ancient pasture of Çat, on the way to Vercenik Massıf, Kackar Mountains.

The camping places on Kaçkar are always green, having good and clean water supplies and generally reached easily by foot paths.

The best time for climbing in this region is from the beginning of july to early september.

The Kaçkar Mountains have some interesting climbing and high summits on it's four different regions:
" The Mount Kaçkar, with its altitude of 3932 metres, is the highest peak in the region and the Kavron range. There are options of rocky ridges, moderate glacier routes and hard rock climbs for the ascent of this snowy peak.

" The Mount Verçenik, with a height of 3711 metres, is a very fine rocky pyramid governing other peaks around it. This is the highest and most prominent peak of the Verçenik Massif. The climb is generally exposed and depending on the conditions, it can be mixed or purely rock climbing.

" The Mount Bulut (Mountain of Clouds), with an altitude of 3562 metres, is the highest peak of the Bulut range and a fine climb of it's class, being a non-technical scramble. The peak is the loftiest of the Bulut Range.

" The Mount Altıparmak, which is 3472 metres tall, reigns tens of deep blue glacier lakes from it's rocky summit, and is the biggest peak of the Altıparmak Range in the North east of the main Kaçkar Range.

Trans- Kaçkar Crossing is a traditional crossing of this range from North to South (or vice versa) or, if wanted, west to east. This is a long trekking, at least 8 to 10 days or more, depending on the details of the chosen route. We can custom design a trekking route depending on your timetable or likes. Very fine pastures and interesting cultural background (sometimes including pasture festivals!), high passes , lonely mountains and walking at least 80 to 100 kilometres among unnamed peaks and valleys, making at least 8-9 camps.. if this is what you dream, join othe team!

Mount Kackar (3932 m.) as seen from the Okuzcayırı camp, Kackar Mountains.

Most of the Kackar range peaks necessitate a half or full day of driving to the nearest pasture/ town and then one or two days of trekking with heavy packs (or with load carrying animals, depending on the route). The routes can be linked and/or a long trekking can be organised without including any technical climbing. Remember that , our guides are the writers of the only existing Turkish Guidebook to the Kaçkar Range- we are the real Kaçkar experts!

Mount Vercenik (3711m.) with it’s numerous lakes around, Kackar Mountains.

Our advised fixed itinerary for sampling the Kackar and Vercenik ranges is as follows:
DAY1- Meeting at the city of Trabzon in the northeastern Turkey and travel to the town of Ayder
DAY 2- Rest day, sightseeing and supplying the provisions for the climb in Ayder
DAY 3- Trekking to the high camp of Okuzcayırı, situated below the Mount Kackar
DAY 4- Climbing Mount Kackar
DAY 5- Reserve day for another climb or bad weather
DAY 6- Back to Ayder and the town of Camlıhemsın and travel to the hıgh pasture of Vercenbek
DAY 7- Rest and explore around Mount Vercenık
DAY 8- Climbing Mount Vercenik
DAY 9- Back to the city of Trabzon for flight back to ıstanbul.

DEPARTURE DATES FOR KACKAR MOUNTAINS:
July 22, 2003
August 19, 2003

PRICES FOR KACKAR MOUNTAINS:
Please call for the prices for one person, two persons and three plus persons.
Our prices are for the fixed departure times above, please call for custom designed itineraries.

THE ALADAG

''Alps of the Turkey'' can exactly define the lofty and rocky Aladag Range. This is a very fine mountain group that closely resembles the Dolomites of the ıtalian Alps and indeed, the rock is Dolomitic Limestone in many places. Most of the technical rock and big wall climbs in Turkey take place here and the Aladag is the background for hard technical winter ascents too. Situated in the Taurus mountains, between the cities of Adana and Nigde, the scenery of the Aladag is wild and arid, owing to the harsh colours and jagged contours of the rock strata.

The highest peaks of the Aladag are generally above 3500 metres and while some are easy, trekking type climbs, others strictly remain in the realm of the technical climber. However, the loftiest peaks of the Aladag range have easier classical routes, albeit exposed..

Climbs in the Aladag Range can be made year round. Though for rock climbing, the best season is july, august and september. Many possibilities are open for the aspiring climbers in the way of the first ascents . For trekking, the best season is June and July, so as to make a crossing of the range. At this time, water is abundant all over the range, snow covers the scree slopes and lower slopes are bloomed with a rich plant life.

Some possible routes are below:
" Ascent of Mount Demirkazık: At 3756 metres, Demirkazık is the highest peak of the range and it involves an easy but very exposed scrambling-type climb to get to the top..

" Ascent of Mount Kaldı: At 3734 metres, this is the second highest and one of the mightiest mountains of the range. Being at the southern corner of the range, in clear weather it offers very good views down to the Mediterranean Sea. The ascent is an exposed but easy rock scramble.

" Ascent of the Rock Spire Parmakkaya: ın Turkish meaning '' rock finger'', this slender limestone spire is a vertical monument of 125 metres on it's south side- the original climbing route of the first ascent. The climbing is rated 5.10a and it is very exposed in all the pitches. Being nearly 3 rope lengths, this is a short but fine rock climb for sampling the Turkish rock!

" Trans-Aladag: This is the classical crossing of the range from west to east, beginning from the village of Demirkazık. After testing the local hospitality and delicious local food, the range will be crossed via the rocky valley of Karayalak and a beautiful high camp will be made at the 3000 metre high plateau of Yedigöller- which harbors many jewel-like lakes and jagged dolomitic limestone peaks. On the way up to this plateau, ascending to the summit of an easy but high peak- Emler Peak of 3623 metres- is optional. Descending into a very deep rock valley- the grand Hacer Gorge, to a pine forest, the crossing will end at the impressive waterfalls of Kapuzbası, which are really a view to behold. There are five main waterfalls, which are formed naturally of The Aladag's ground waters draining here in the east side of the range.

This trekking generally takes 5-6 days and ends in the cities of Adana or Kayseri, and a total of nearly 80 kilometres would be walked..

The climbs mentioned above can be connected to the trekking or other climbs, according to your preferences. Please call for detailed itineraries, dates and prices.

Northeastern flanks of Mount Erciyes (3917 m.) as seen from the high camp.

Mount Erciyes is a lonely dormant volcano rising from the flat Middle Anatolian plateau, and it is known as Argeus by the ancient people who worshipped it's white, snowy peak.. There are old, historical settlements on it's foothills and even one high shrine inside a cave near the summit!

Erciyes is 3917 metres high and has long ridgelines sweeping down to the city of Kayseri, which is one of the biggest Middle Anatolian cities. Like Mount Ararat, Erciyes always creates it's own weather pattern and the mountain collects much snow in winter, therefore justifying the build up of many skiing centres on it's slopes.

This high and beautiful mountain has two main routes ascending to it's peak, and it has two summits. One is the lower and easy summit of 3891 metres, and the other is the main summit, which is actually a 17 metre high vertical rock tower at 3917 metres..

At the summit ridge of Mount Erciyes, with the Sultansazlıgı Lake beyond down.

The route options on Erciyes are as follows:

" East Face Route: Being the classical route to the top, this is a straightforward scree/ snow gully climb. With exposure not too great, many climbers make it to the lower peak by this route, sometimes even non-climbers! ın spring months, this route is a beautiful hard snow climb, when the ascent must be done in crampons and ice axe.

" North Glacier Route: This route is approached by a spectacular terrain- small forests and vintage buildings of the historical Hacılar village. Technically harder and more exposed when compared to the classical route, this climb will include more than moderate angled ice climbing if completed direct to the summit- hence an interesting ascent!

Climbs to the Mount Erciyes can be organised throughout the year and also in winter, and each climb will take 4 days including travel and extra time for waiting out the possible bad weather.

Please call for detailed itineraries, dates and prices.

WHAT DO OUR SERVICES INCLUDE AND WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?

Our full service trips include: Hotels, guest houses, pensions and mountain huts, transfers to and from the mountain, transportation to and from the airports of Van, Agrı, Kars or Trabzon at arrival and departure, 3 meals per day during the visiting time in Turkey (on the cities, trekking and mountain), tranportation by mules, guide fees, permits and official work for the mountain (if necessary), tents for usage at the mountain, sleeping pads, group climbing gear such as rope, snow shovel, ice screws or rock gear etc., first aid kit carried by the guide, camp stoves, stove fuel, camp cooking sets.

What is NOT included: ınternational flights AND connection flights to the meeting towns of Van, Kars, Agrı or Trabzon, Turkish Republic Visa and /or border entrance fees, personal extras such as drinks, snacks and phone calls at the hotels, personal medicine and vaccinations, health/ travel and rescue insurances, tips, personal gear such as clothing, sleeping bag, rucksack, boots etc., personal climbing gear such as ice axe, crampons, helmet etc., personal changes of itinerary, unexpected expenses such as emergencies, accidents, rescues, weather, political situations, crime etc.

LIST OF EQUIPMENT FOR  TREKKING , SUMMER AND WINTER CLIMBS

GEAR FOR TREKKING

2 cotton t-shirts and 1 cotton long sleeved shirt
1 cotton sun hat and/or cotton head scarf
2 pr. cotton socks and 2-3 pr. cotton underwear briefs
1 cotton walking shorts and 1 cotton long trousers
1 pr. sandals
1 polyproplene or polyester lightweight underwear shirt
1 polyproplene or polyester lightweight underwear pant
1 fleece balaclava or warm headgear
2 pr. good quality mountain/trekking socks
1 pr. all-leather, top-quality, crampon compatıble mountaineering boot
1 pr. high boot gaiters
1 fleece trousers
1 heavyweight fleece jacket
1 waterproof breathable jacket
1 waterproof breathable trousers
1 pr. thermal -fleece gloves
1 pr. telescoping ski poles
1 head torch with extra batteries and bulbs
1 glacier glasses and possibly an extra glass for emergency
extra prescription glasses and contact lens supplies
1 litre unbreakable water bottle with insulating cover
water treatment tablets or fluid
lip sun cream and skin sun cream- at least SPF 20-
skin blister repair kit
anti- diarrhea pills
painkillers
cough/ cold medicine
toothpaste/ toothbrush
female /male hygiene supplies
soap and small towel
a small repair tape (with sewing kit and adhesive tape)
lighter and matches in waterpoof case
compass, pocket knife
small cup, camping spoon and fork
camera, videao camera, film and cassettes with extra batteries and carry case
1 small size rucksack (15- 20 litres, for carrying around)
1 large size rucksack (65-80 litres, for trekking and mountain)
1 large kit bag or duffel (for general carry and for mule carry)
1 sleeping bag ( good for-10 degrees centigrade)
1 inflating sleeping pad (optional)

ADDITIONAL GEAR FOR CLIMBING AND WINTER MOUNTAINEERING

1 pr. fleece/ boiled wool mittens
1 pr. waterproof breathable and hard wearing gauntlets or mitten covers
ınner gloves
1 pr. heavyweight plastic boot socks
1 expedition weight thermal shirt
1 expedition weight thermal pant
1 heavyweight warm hat or balaclava
1 face mask for extreme cold
1 snow/wind goggle
2 locking carabiners
3 normal climbing (D or oval) carabiners
1 climbing helmet (UıAA approved)
1 HMS pear shaped locking carabiner for belay and rappel use
1 descender/belay device (ATC, Sticht plate, fig.8 etc.)
2 small and one large, 5-7 mm. prussik loops
1 long classical ice axe with leash
1 ice tool (depending on the route and season) with leash
1 pair crampons (fitting perfectly to your boots)
1 pr. overboots/insulated supergaiters( for winter climbs)
1 lightweight down jacket (for Ararat winter ascent, more heavier type!)
1 sleeping bag for winter cold (-30 degrees centigrade)
1 heavyweight, double thicness sleeping pad

ALTERNATIVE BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS TO YOUR TRIP

Before or after your trekking or climbing trip, you can see the historically important touristic places of Turkey or relax at luxurious spots as you wish. ıf you want to do so, all you have to do is just to let us know and according to your taste , we will arrange anything! Your choices may be ranging from a very fine, five-star seaside holiday in southern Turkey or a fine tour to Cappadocia or sighteeing in the history packed ıstanbul. Just let us know..

TRIP REGISTRATION

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

1)  NAME OF THE TRIP

2)  DATE OF THE TRIP

3)  YOUR SURNAME AS ON THE PASSPORT(family or last name)

4)  YOUR SURNAME AS ON THE PASSPORT (first or middle name)

5)  GENDER/SEX

6)  DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH

7)  NATIONALITY

8)  CURRENT ADDRESS

9)  CURRENT E- MAIL ADDRESS

10) CURRENT FAX

11) CURRENT TELEPHONE NUMBER

12) PERMANENT ADDRESS

13) EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION NAMES; RELATION; ADDRESS; E-MAIL; FAX; TELEPHONES

14) OCCUPATION

15) PASSPORT NUMBER, NATION, PLACE AND DATE OF ISSUE, EXPIRY DATE

16) DO YOU HAVE ANY DIETARY CONCERNS? PLEASE EXPLAIN.

17) CLIMBING OR TREKKING BACKGROUND

18) DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL MEDICAL CONDITION? PLEASE EXPLAIN.