Expedition

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Göllücebaşı :1

Göllücebaşı is one of the prominent summits of the Bolkarlar range in the Taurus Mountains. After completing my solo Medetsiz traverse earlier, I had been eager to return—this time to experience the region under full winter conditions. I monitored the weather closely for weeks and finally found a suitable window, deciding to set out solo once again. On March 28, 2026, I woke at 4:30 a.m., left home at 5:30 a.m., and arrived in Maden village at 7:40 a.m. The road beyond this point, leading to Meydan Plateau, was completely impassable due to snow, so I began my approach on foot. After roughly 6 km of hiking, I reached Meydan Plateau at 9:30 a.m. and continued toward the high alpine basin. My first major waypoint was Karagöl, which I reached at 11:00 a.m. The lake was entirely frozen and buried under a thick layer of snow. I crossed it directly and continued toward Çiniligöl, arriving at 11:40 a.m. Like Karagöl, it was fully frozen and heavily snow-covered. After crossing Çiniligöl, I began the main ascent toward Göllücebaşı, clearly visible ahead. Although the weather was ideal—clear skies, no wind, and strong sun—the long approach began to take its toll. Progress slowed significantly, often limited to short bursts of 10–15 meters followed by rest. Unsure whether I could reach the summit in time, I set a turnaround time of 2:00 p.m. However, at that point I found myself only about 200 meters below the summit, and turning back so close did not feel right. Estimating that the descent would be faster, I decided to continue. I reached the summit of Göllücebaşı at 3:00 p.m. After about 20 minutes on top—enjoying the expansive winter landscape with tea and snacks—I continued my traverse instead of retracing my steps. Descending toward Gökboyun, I reached its summit at 3:40 p.m., roughly 20 minutes below Göllücebaşı. From there, I followed a line west of the lakes, returning to Meydan Plateau at 5:10 p.m. The final 6 km back to Maden village proved particularly exhausting, as the warming temperatures had softened the snow, making each step more demanding. I eventually reached the village at 7:20 p.m., completing a long and physically taxing day. This outing turned into a challenging yet deeply rewarding solo winter traverse, linking two frozen lakes and two summits in the heart of the Bolkarlar. 20260328_Gollucebasi 20260328_Gollucebasi1 20260328_Gollucebasi2 20260328_Gollucebasi3 20260328_Gollucebasi4 20260328_Gollucebasi5 20260328_Gollucebasi6

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Gökboyun :1

On March 28, 2026, I reached the summit of Gökboyun at approximately 3:40 p.m. while descending from Göllücebaşı. 20260328_Gokboyun

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Özyurt (Hacıbaba) :10

Özyurt Mountain, locally known as Hacıbaba, is the highest peak in Karaman Province, Türkiye. This outing marked my tenth time on the mountain and my sixth solo ascent. For this attempt, I planned to investigate another northwestern line, starting near Akarköy village. On March 7, 2026, after completing my preparations, I left home at 7:30 a.m. I arrived at the trailhead at 8:15 a.m. and began hiking at 8:30 a.m. The morning started under low visibility due to fog, and the forecast indicated that strong winds would develop around midday. The lower part of the climb progressed smoothly up to about 1,800 meters. Beyond this point, the conditions became significantly more demanding. Snow depth increased, and strong northerly winds began to affect balance and movement. In several places, the terrain required more careful climbing, as wind-packed snow formed unstable and physically taxing sections along the route. With the gusts occasionally forcing me to stop and regain stability, progress became slower and more deliberate. Each step required careful placement and constant attention to the terrain to maintain a safe line along the ridge. Despite these difficulties, I continued upward at a controlled pace and reached the summit at approximately 1:25 p.m. Conditions on the summit were harsh, with strong wind and poor visibility, so my stay was brief. After a quick cup of tea, I began descending at 1:40 p.m. I initially retraced my line along the northern ridge, then later diverted onto a separate east–west running ridge to complete the planned traverse. After a long but controlled descent through the windy upper slopes and snowy terrain, I reached my vehicle at around 6:15 p.m., finishing another physically demanding yet deeply rewarding solo winter ascent of Hacıbaba. 20260307_Hacibaba 20260307_Hacibaba2 20260307_Hacibaba3 20260307_Hacibaba4

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Dedegöl :4

Mount Dedegöl, the highest peak of the Central Taurus Mountains, is located in Isparta Province, Türkiye. This ascent marked my fourth time on the mountain, undertaken as part of the Summit Turkey team. On February 22, 2026, I arrived at the Vali Fountain around 5:00 p.m. Due to snow-covered sections along the gravel access road, it was not possible to continue by car. As a result, I carried all my equipment—including camping and technical gear—and hiked up to Melikler Plateau. By the time I reached the plateau, the rest of the team had already established camp. I quickly set up my tent and completed preparations for the early alpine start. The following morning, I woke at 3:30 a.m., and we began the ascent at 4:45 a.m. under cold but stable conditions. Maintaining a steady pace, we gained elevation gradually and reached the summit at 11:30 a.m. The winter landscape was exceptional—clear skies, expansive snowfields, and dramatic alpine light combined to create what was likely one of the most stunning winter panoramas I have experienced on Dedegöl. After a brief but memorable summit break, we began descending at 12:20 p.m. and returned to camp around 3:30 p.m. Once back at Melikler Plateau, we packed our equipment and departed at approximately 5:00 p.m., concluding a physically demanding yet visually unforgettable winter ascent. 20260222_Dedegol 20260222_Dedegol2

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Özyurt (Hacıbaba) :9

Özyurt Mountain, locally referred to as Hacıbaba, is the highest peak in Karaman Province, Türkiye. This climb represented my ninth attempt on the mountain and my fifth solo ascent. My goal was to revisit a previously used western approach near Kızılyaka village, this time modifying the line to incorporate an extended south-to-north ridge traverse. On February 14, 2026, after completing final preparations, I left home at 10:00 a.m., reached the trailhead at 11:05 a.m., and began hiking at 11:20 a.m. Fresh snow covered the lower elevations, likely from the previous day, and was already beginning to soften under rising temperatures. I initially followed the gravel road leading toward the marble quarry, then at approximately 1,900 meters diverted toward the southern start of the ridge. Snow depth increased progressively with elevation. Once on the ridge, sections of the route became more technical, with deep, wind-compacted snow adding both physical strain and exposure. Movement required deliberate pacing, stable footing, and continuous terrain assessment to maintain safety along the crest. Maintaining a steady rhythm, I reached the summit at approximately 2:55 p.m. Conditions at the top were calm enough to allow a short but enjoyable break, during which I took in the winter landscape and had tea and food. I began descending at 3:25 p.m., choosing a different line via the northern ridge to complete the traverse. The descent demanded continued focus but remained manageable, and I returned to my vehicle safely at around 5:40 p.m., concluding a physically demanding yet highly satisfying solo winter ascent. 20260214_Hacibaba 20260214_Hacibaba2

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Sultan Dediği :1

Sultan Dediği Mountain is located in Konya Province, Türkiye. This ascent marked my first climb of the mountain, carried out as part of the SEDAK team from Konya. We chose the classical Yeşiltekke route, aiming for a clean and efficient winter ascent. On February 1, 2026, I woke at 6:15 a.m. and met three teammates in Karaman, from where we drove together to Yeşiltekke. We arrived at the trailhead around 8:30 a.m. and waited for the rest of the SEDAK team coming from Konya. Once the group was complete, we started the hike at 9:45 a.m. The ascent progressed steadily. Above approximately 2,000 meters, snow coverage increased noticeably, but both the weather and snow conditions remained stable and supportive, allowing for consistent movement without major technical difficulty. We reached the summit at around 1:30 p.m. and spent some time there enjoying the views while taking a relaxed break for food and drinks. We began our descent at 2:15 p.m., following the same route back down. The return was uneventful, and we completed the climb around 5:15 p.m., finishing a pleasant and well-paced winter ascent of Sultan Dediği Mountain. 20260201_SultanDedigi

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Özyurt (Hacıbaba) :8

Özyurt Mountain, locally known as Hacıbaba, stands as the highest summit in Karaman Province, Türkiye. This climb marked my eighth attempt on the mountain and my fourth solo ascent of the mountain. My objective this time was to investigate yet another new route, approaching from the western side near Muratdede village. I set out on January 25, 2026, waking at 6:20 a.m. and reaching the starting point shortly afterward. I began moving at 8:15 a.m., encountering continuous snow cover from the very first steps of the route. The snowpack was inconsistent—alternating between firm, icy sections and softer, unconsolidated layers—forcing a slow pace and careful movement throughout the climb. The ascent followed a gradual line toward the southern shoulder, from where I transitioned onto the summit ridge. Progress along the ridge demanded constant evaluation due to changing footing and exposure. I topped out at approximately 1:50 p.m., under clear and calm conditions. With the weather cooperating, I was able to linger on the summit, taking in the expansive views and refueling before the descent. During the final ridge traverse, I noticed climbers approaching from the eastern, standard route. They arrived roughly half an hour later, and we shared the summit briefly before visibility began to deteriorate as fog moved in, signaling it was time to leave. At 2:45 p.m., I started my descent, intentionally choosing a separate westward ridge to complete the loop. Despite improving visibility lower down, the mixed snow conditions continued to demand focus until I exited the technical terrain. I returned to the trailhead around 5:15 p.m., closing out a physically taxing and mentally demanding winter ascent—one that required disciplined pacing, conservative judgment, and sustained attention in complex terrain. 20260125_Hacibaba 20260125_Hacibaba2

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Özyurt (Hacıbaba) :7

Özyurt Mountain (also known as Hacıbaba) is the highest peak in Karaman Province, Türkiye. This ascent marked my seventh attempt on the mountain and my third solo climb. For this outing, I aimed to explore yet another new route, approaching from the north side, roughly between Özyurt village and Kazımkarabekir. On January 10, 2026, I woke at 6:45 a.m., reached the trailhead near Özyurt, and began hiking at 8:20 a.m. I made steady progress and reached the first shoulder around 9:45 a.m., where the north face of the mountain came fully into view. From this point onward, snow coverage began and gradually increased with elevation. Although the forecast had predicted sunny conditions, the weather deteriorated as I gained altitude. First, a strengthening snowstorm set in, followed by dense fog, significantly reducing visibility. Near the summit, I encountered a steep, exposed rocky section coated with a thin layer of ice. I attempted two possible lines but retreated both times due to the high objective risk. A third option—less steep and holding deeper, more stable snow—proved safer, allowing me to continue. I reached the summit at approximately 1:45 p.m., but conditions were severe, with intense wind and snowfall. After taking a few low-quality photos, I immediately began my descent. As planned, I followed a different route for the descent, but unfortunately, the weather continued to worsen throughout the snowy sections of the mountain. I completed the climb around 5:45 p.m., concluding a demanding, highly technical winter ascent of Hacıbaba—one that required constant route evaluation, conservative decision-making, and full commitment under challenging conditions. 20260110_Hacibaba

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Özyurt (Hacıbaba) :6

Özyurt Mountain (also known as Hacıbaba) is the highest peak in Karaman Province, Türkiye. This ascent marked my sixth attempt on the mountain, once again accompanied by my friend Özgür Culfa. For this climb, we followed the classical route from Kazımkarabekir, aiming for a straightforward winter ascent. On December 28, 2025, I woke at 7:15 a.m., reached the trailhead near Kazımkarabekir, and began hiking at 9:20 a.m. We made steady progress and reached the summit shoulder around 2:30 p.m. Fresh snow from the previous day was clearly visible, but the main challenge was a rapidly intensifying snowstorm at higher elevations. From the shoulder, I continued the final push solo. As the storm strengthened, wind-driven snow froze my face, and even keeping my eyes open became difficult. I was unable to put on my snow mask in these conditions and decided to push quickly for the summit, reaching it at approximately 3:00 p.m. Although the views from the top were spectacular, the combination of strong winds and freezing temperatures allowed only a very brief stay. I began descending almost immediately. We followed the same route on the descent and completed the climb around 7:00 p.m., concluding another demanding yet rewarding winter ascent of Hacıbaba. 20251228_Hacibaba

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Özyurt (Hacıbaba) :5

Özyurt Mountain (also known as Hacıbaba) is the highest peak in Karaman Province, Türkiye. This ascent marked my fifth attempt on the mountain, this time as part of the SEDAK team from Konya. For this climb, we followed the classical route from Kazımkarabekir, aiming for a straightforward winter ascent. On December 21, 2025, I woke at 7:00 a.m., reached the trailhead near Kazımkarabekir around 8:30 a.m., and began hiking at 9:15 a.m. We made steady progress and reached the summit at approximately 2:15 p.m. Snow coverage was noticeably lighter than the previous weekend, but melt–freeze cycles had turned many sections into hard ice, making progress slow and careful. Fortunately, relatively warm temperatures softened the surface throughout the day, improving traction and reducing overall risk. After a brief stay on the summit, we began our descent via the same route and completed the climb around 6:15 p.m., concluding a challenging yet rewarding winter ascent of Hacıbaba. 20251221_Hacibaba

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Özyurt (Hacıbaba) :4

Özyurt Mountain (also known as Hacıbaba) is the highest peak in Karaman Province, Türkiye. This ascent marked my fourth attempt on the mountain, once again accompanied by my friend Özgür Culfa. Notably, I had summited Özyurt solo just one day earlier, making this back-to-back effort both physically and mentally demanding. For this climb, we aimed to explore yet another new route, approaching from the western side near Muratdede village. On December 14, 2025, I woke at 5:00 a.m. and picked up Özgür at 7:30 a.m. We reached the trailhead near Muratdede village around 8:30 a.m. and began hiking immediately. Based on my ascent the previous day, I was already familiar with the increasing snow coverage at higher elevations. We made steady progress and reached the summit shoulder around 12:30 p.m. From there, the terrain transitioned into technical ridge climbing, with deep, compact snow significantly increasing both exposure and difficulty. From this point onward, I continued the final push solo, carefully managing each step along the ridge, and reached the summit at approximately 1:30 p.m. After a brief stay at the top, I descended back to where I had left Özgür. During our break, we noticed a domestic goat on the mountain and soon realized it was the same goat we had encountered during our climb two weeks earlier. Shy yet clearly curious, it approached us several times while we rested, sharing tea and food. We offered it some fruit and salty snacks before beginning our descent. We followed the same route down and reached our car around 5:30 p.m., concluding a challenging and memorable winter ascent—made even more special by an unexpected reunion on the mountain. 20251214_Hacibaba

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Özyurt (Hacıbaba) :3

Özyurt Mountain (also known as Hacıbaba) is the highest peak in Karaman Province, Türkiye. This ascent marked my third attempt on the mountain and my second solo climb. For this outing, I chose to explore another new route, this time approaching from the western side near Kızılyaka village. On December 13, 2025, after final preparations, I left home around 10:00 a.m. and arrived at the trailhead at 10:45 a.m., beginning the ascent immediately. Snow coverage became visible at higher elevations, gradually increasing as I gained altitude. Upon reaching the summit shoulder, the route transitioned into technical ridge climbing, with deep and compact snow significantly increasing the difficulty. Progress from this point required careful movement and precise foot placement to manage exposure and maintain safety. Despite the conditions, I continued steadily and reached the summit at approximately 1:30 p.m. I spent some time at the top enjoying the winter scenery, accompanied by tea and food, before beginning my descent at 2:10 p.m. Following the same route, I returned safely to my vehicle around 3:40 p.m., completing a demanding but rewarding solo ascent. 20251213_Hacibaba

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Özyurt (Hacıbaba) :2

Özyurt Mountain (also known as Hacıbaba) is the highest peak in Karaman Province, Türkiye. I solo climbed it last year, but this time I returned with a friend, Özgür Culfa, to attempt a new route from the north side of the mountain. Since I couldn’t find any previous ascents using this line, we had to navigate and discover the route on our own. On November 30, 2025, I woke up at 4:45 a.m. and picked up Özgür at 5:40 a.m. We reached Özyurt village around 6:00 a.m. and started hiking at 6:15. I had previously scouted the lower section of the mountain and recorded the early part of the trail. We followed this track slowly so that by the time the recorded section ended, the sun would rise and give us enough visibility to choose the best line upward. We reached the summit shoulder around 10:30 a.m. From this point, the route transitioned to mixed rocky terrain requiring occasional hands-on movement. We continued carefully, but about 30 meters below the summit, Özgür decided the terrain wasn’t worth the risk. I continued the final push solo and reached the summit at around 12:45 p.m. After a short stay on the top, I descended back to where I had left Özgür, and we had our brunch there. We then began our descent, making our way down the long northern route. We arrived back at our car around 5:30 p.m., completing a full day of exploration and the first known attempt and successful ascent of this specific northern route. 20251130_Hacibaba

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Kaldı :1

Kaldı, the third-highest peak of the Aladağlar range in the Taurus Mountains, was my next objective with the Summit Turkey team. On September 6, 2025, we met in the village of Çukurbağ, Niğde, shared a hearty breakfast, and loaded our gear onto a pickup that carried us to the Bölükorman camping area—slightly beyond Sarı Memedin Yurdu. We arrived around 1:45 p.m., where four horses awaited to transport our equipment to the Çadıroluğu campsite in Parmakkaya Valley. From Bölükorman, we began our hike and reached Çadıroluğu around 4:30 p.m. I quickly set up my tent in anticipation of the forecasted rain. After dinner at 6:30 p.m., we held a technical meeting to review the planned route, equipment, and rope team strategy. By 8:00 p.m., I was back in my tent, and asleep an hour later. We woke at 1:45 a.m. and set off at 2:40 a.m. under clear, starlit skies. By 5:30 a.m., we reached Avcıbeli, then continued with a steady ascent toward Kaldıbaşı. At 9:00 a.m., we entered the top sahası section, where the route becomes technical. Here, we geared up for the rock climb to the summit. At 11:10 a.m., we stood on Kaldı’s 3,734-meter summit, rewarded with sweeping views across Aladağlar’s rugged skyline. Because of the forecasted afternoon rain, we limited our summit stay to 20 minutes before starting the descent. We returned to Çadıroluğu camp by 4:00 p.m., packed quickly, and departed at 5:15 p.m. for Bölükorman, reaching it at 6:40 p.m. After a final dinner in Çukurbağ, I began the drive home at 9:00 p.m.—exhausted, but fulfilled by another successful climb in Aladağlar. 20250907_Kaldi

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Medetsiz :1

Medetsiz, the highest summit in the Bolkarlar mountain range of the Taurus Mountains, had long been on my list. This time, I set out solo. On August 23, 2025, I left home at 15:30 and reached the Meydan Plateau by 17:30. After pitching my tent, I had dinner around 18:45 and spent some time studying the mountain to plan my route before turning in for the night. I woke at 04:30 and started from camp at 05:30 a.m. Instead of following the classical route to Medetsiz, I chose a more challenging alternative that included traversing two additional summits along the way. My first stop was Tahtakayası (≈3,372 m), which I reached at 08:45. After a short 15-minute break, I continued toward Koyunaşağı (≈3,431 m), arriving at 09:40. A 20-minute rest here gave me the energy to push on toward Medetsiz. At 10:00 I left Koyunaşağı and, after a long ridge walk, reached Medetsiz summit (3,524 m) at 11:50 a.m. The panoramic views across the Bolkarlar were stunning. Though I was already tired, Köpükgöl Hill (≈3,438 m) ahead caught my eye, and I decided to include it while I was close. Leaving Medetsiz at 12:15, I summited Köpükgöl Hill at 12:53 and began my return at 13:20. Rather than reclimbing Medetsiz on the way back, I traversed around its slopes and reconnected with my earlier trail from the opposite side. I retraced my path to the pass below Koyunaşağı, then descended via the classical Medetsiz route toward Karagöl. By 17:30 I reached Karagöl, took a short rest, walked around the lake, and refilled my water at the fountain. Finally, I returned to Meydan Plateau at 18:50, packed my gear quickly before sunset, and departed camp at 19:30. It was a demanding yet deeply rewarding solo traverse of four summits in the heart of the Bolkarlar. 20250824_Medetsiz

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Tahtakayası :1

On August 24, 2025, I departed from my camp on Meydan Plateau at 5:30 a.m. and reached the summit of Tahtakayası at approximately 8:45 a.m., marking the first peak of my Medetsiz traverse. 20250824_Tahtakayasi

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Koyunaşağı :1

On August 24, 2025, I left my camp on Meydan Plateau at 5:30 a.m., summited Tahtakayası (3,372 m) at 8:45 a.m., and continued on to reach Koyunaşağı at 9:40 a.m., marking the second peak of my Medetsiz traverse. 20250824_Koyunasagi

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Köpükgöl :1

On August 24, 2025, I departed my camp on Meydan Plateau at 5:30 a.m., summited Tahtakayası (3,372 m) at 8:45 a.m., Koyunaşağı (3,431 m) at 9:40 a.m., and Medetsiz (3,524 m) at 11:50 a.m., before continuing on to reach Köpükgöl Hill (3,438 m) at 12:53 p.m., the fourth peak of my Medetsiz traverse. 20250824_Kopukgol

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Kızılkaya :1

Kızılkaya, the highest summit in the Aladağlar range and the second-highest peak in the entire Taurus Mountains, is one of Türkiye’s most iconic and technically demanding climbs. For this ascent, I once again joined the Summit Turkey group. On August 16, 2025, we gathered in Çukurbağ village, Niğde, and after breakfast, loaded our gear onto a tractor for transport to Karayalak Camp (2,200 m), arriving around 13:30. After pitching tents, we held a technical briefing covering rope team coordination, anchor placement, gear usage, and descent strategy. I had an early dinner and went to sleep at 9:00 p.m. to rest for the long climb ahead. We woke at 01:30 a.m. and set out from camp at 02:10 a.m. The initial approach followed the classical Karayalak route, involving loose scree and boulder fields. At 06:00 a.m., we reached Mola Taşı (approx. 3,000 m), a common rest point, and by 08:00 a.m., we were at Karasay Beli Pass (3,400 m), the shoulder connecting Kızılkaya and Karasay peaks. After a 45-minute break, we roped up for the technical rock section. The climb required multiple short pitches of Class III–IV rock (UIAA III-IV) with exposure. Several sections were protected with fixed belays and rope support. Progress was slow but steady, and we reached the summit of Kızılkaya (3,767 m) at 01:00 p.m., after nearly 11 hours on the move. The panoramic views across the Aladağlar—including Demirkazık, Alaca, and the Yedigöller plateau—were outstanding. Our descent began at 13:30 with three rope-assisted down-climbs (~60 m each) on the upper rock face. The lower rocky sections were descended without rope protection, requiring careful down-climbing on exposed terrain. We reached Karasay Beli again at 05:00 p.m. While waiting for others, I made a quick solo ascent of Karasay Peak (3,550 m), returning by 05:45 p.m. After a short rest, we descended the red scree gully back toward camp, reaching Karayalak Camp at 08:00 p.m. Following a brief dinner, we packed up and departed camp by 09:00 p.m., returning to Çukurbağ for a final meal. I began the drive home at 11:00 p.m., finally arriving at 02:00 a.m. the next morning. 20250817_Kizilkaya

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Karasay :1

Karasay is considered one of the easier, non-technical summits of the Aladağlar range and is often climbed together with its neighboring peak, Eznevit (3,560 m). The two share a connecting ridge, making them a popular double ascent for trekkers who want a less technical alternative to the range’s bigger peaks. On August 16, 2025, during my descent from Kızılkaya with the Summit Turkey group, I reached the Karasay Beli pass. While waiting for the rest of the team to finish their rope-protected descent, I decided to make a quick solo ascent of Karasay. The route from the pass was straightforward, with a steady ridge climb taking about 15 minutes. I reached the summit around 5:15 p.m., where I enjoyed sweeping views of Kızılkaya, Demirkazık, and the high Aladağlar ridges. Although I didn’t continue on to Eznevit this time, the peak was clearly visible across the ridge—a tempting and natural extension for a future visit. After a short break, I descended back to Karasay Beli to rejoin the group and continued down toward our camp in Karayalak. 20250817_Karasay

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Alaca (Lorut) :1

Alaca (also known as Lorut) is the fifth-highest peak in the Aladağlar range, part of the Taurus Mountains. For this expedition, I once again joined the Summit Turkey team. On August 2, 2025, we met in the village of Çukurbağ in Niğde, shared a hearty breakfast, and loaded our gear onto a tractor that transported us to the Bölükorman camping area—slightly beyond the Sarı Memedin Yurdu campsite. We arrived around 1:00 p.m., and I immediately set up my tent, anticipating the forecasted rain. Sure enough, a downpour began around 3:00 p.m., forcing us to take shelter in our tents. The rain lasted well beyond 5:00 p.m., which I used as an opportunity to rest. After dinner around 6:30 p.m., we held our technical meeting and reviewed the planned route. I was back in my tent by 8:30 p.m. and asleep by 10:00 p.m. We woke at 1:00 a.m. and set off at 1:45 a.m. under starlit skies. By 7:20 a.m., we reached Avcıbeli. After a steady and scenic climb, we summited Alaca at 10:40 a.m., taking in the breathtaking views from one of Aladağlar’s iconic peaks. Due to the chance of afternoon rain, we limited our summit break to 30 minutes before beginning the descent. We returned to Bölükorman camp around 4:30 p.m. I packed my gear quickly, but just as I was about to take down my tent, the rain returned. We waited it out inside our tents. Once the rain stopped, we broke camp and departed by 6:00 p.m. After a well-deserved dinner back in Çukurbağ, I hit the road around 8:00 p.m., tired but fulfilled. 20250803_Alaca

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Büyük Demirkazık :2

Büyük Demirkazık, the second-highest summit in the Aladağlar range, is one of Turkey’s most iconic and technical peaks. I had climbed it once before, but the mountain commands so much respect that even a second ascent feels like a fresh challenge. For this expedition, I teamed up with the Summit Turkey group again. On July 5, 2025, I met the team in Çukurbağ village, Niğde. After a hearty breakfast, we loaded our gear onto a tractor and set off toward the Karayalak camping area. We arrived around 2:00 p.m., and setting up my tent turned out to be quite the challenge due to strong winds in the area. Once settled, we held a technical briefing covering gear usage, route plan, anchor points, and rope team coordination. Afterward, I returned to my tent, had dinner, and went to sleep around 9:00 p.m. The next morning started very early—we woke at 12:30 a.m. and began our ascent at 1:45 a.m. via the classical Red Scree (Kızılçarşak) route. By 5:15 a.m., we reached the base of the Red Scree section, and around 8:00 a.m., we arrived at the shoulder of the mountain. After a 30-minute break, we began the technical rock face climb. We summited Büyük Demirkazık at 11:30 a.m., enjoying spectacular views and well-earned rest at the top for about an hour. The descent began with two rope-assisted down-climbs, each approximately 60 meters. We completed the remainder of the rocky descent without rope protection and reached the shoulder again at 4:15 p.m. Following another break, we descended the Red Scree and arrived back at the Karayalak camp around 9:00 p.m. Tired but satisfied, we packed our gear and left the area by 10:00 p.m. After a final dinner stop in Çukurbağ village, I began the drive home around 11:45 p.m. Exhaustion caught up with me midway, so I pulled into a gas station, slept in the car until 6:30 a.m., and continued the drive back home. It was a demanding climb—both technically and physically—but an unforgettable adventure in one of Turkey’s most iconic alpine settings. 20250706_BDK

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Mount Hasan :3

Mount Hasan, an impressive stratovolcano in Türkiye’s Aksaray province, stands as one of the most prominent peaks in Anatolia. On June 21, 2024, I arrived at the mountain’s base—an area near Karbeyaz Hotel that also offers several convenient camping spots. I reached the site around 8:00 p.m., set up my tent, had dinner, and went to bed early, anticipating an early start with the SEDAK hiking group, which was scheduled to arrive around 3:00 a.m. We began our ascent at 3:40 a.m. via the route known as Yılankar, which is considered a classical yet slightly steeper option than the broader southern approach. The route starts with a moderate incline over scree and transitions into rocky, semi-steep terrain around 2,800 meters. Snow presence was minimal to none, and no technical gear was required. By 8:15 a.m., we had reached the so-called “small summit” at 3,256 meters. This is the point where most hikers conclude their climb and consider it the summit of Mount Hasan. However, across the crater lies the mountain’s true summit, slightly higher at 3,268 meters. While the group took a one-hour break at the small summit, I seized the opportunity to solo traverse the crater and reach the true summit on the opposite side. I returned around 9:40 a.m., rejoined the group, and we began our descent shortly after at 9:50 a.m. We arrived back at the campsite around 1:30 p.m. 20250622_Hasan

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Pilot Tepe :1

Located in the beautiful Niğde Province of Türkiye, Pilot Tepe had been on my list for a while. On June 14, 2025, I set out with my family and we arrived at the Meydan Plateau around 11:30 a.m. We hadn’t fully decided whether we’d camp or not—and if we did, whether it would be at the plateau or by Karagöl. So we chose to hike up to Karagöl first, leaving our camping gear behind just in case. About 1.5 kilometers later, we arrived at Karagöl. The view was stunning—wildflowers blooming around the lake, with the mountains still wearing traces of snow. After setting up a small shade tent for my family, I went on a solo hike to Çiniligöl and then continued up to the summit of Pilot Tepe. I reached the top around 2:45 p.m. and spent about 45 minutes soaking in the incredible views of both Karagöl and Çiniligöl. Once I returned, we all agreed to camp by Karagöl. I made a quick round trip back to the Meydan Plateau to grab our gear and managed to set up camp just before nightfall. The next morning, I woke up early around 5 a.m. and took a quiet walk around Karagöl. After breakfast, we did a family hike to Çiniligöl. Later in the day, I carried some of our gear back to the car, returned for the rest, and after a relaxed lunch in our tent, we packed up and headed home—tired, happy, and already thinking about the next adventure. 20250614_PilotTepe

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Dedegöl :3

Mount Dedegöl, the highest peak in the Central Taurus Mountains, is located in Isparta Province, Türkiye. On May 24, 2025, I arrived at the Melikler Plateau around 5:30 p.m. and set up my camp. The next morning, I woke at 3:30 a.m. and began the ascent at 4:00 a.m. After a steady climb, we reached the summit at 7:45 a.m., where we paused to take in the breathtaking views. We began our descent at 8:45 a.m. and returned to camp around 11:00 a.m. After a brief rest in my tent, I packed up and headed to the nearby Yaka Canyon. I decided to attempt a solo passage through it. I trekked about 4.5 kilometers into the canyon and encountered two snakes resting on a rock directly in my path. I observed them for a while, took some photos and videos, then decided to turn back. Interestingly, the information board at the canyon entrance stated the total length as 4 kilometers. However, even after hiking 4.5 kilometers, the canyon continued. It seems that the 4 km distance likely refers not to the trail starting at the entrance, but to the narrower, more enclosed section of the canyon, which begins approximately 2 kilometers in. 20250525_Dedegol

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Dedegöl :2

Mount Dedegöl is the highest peak in the Central Taurus Mountains, located in Isparta province, Türkiye. On April 19, 2025, I arrived at Melikler Plateau around noon with my family and set up our camp. This climb wasn’t pre-planned, but I had the intention to summit if the conditions allowed. Coincidentally, the Anadolu Dağcılık club was also camping in the area, and I asked if I could join their climb. I woke up at 3:30 a.m. and began the ascent at 4:15 a.m. After a steady climb, we started using ice axes and crampons about 300 meters below the summit. We reached the top at 10:00 a.m., took a break to enjoy the breathtaking views, and began our descent at 11:00 a.m. I arrived back at camp around 1:00 p.m. 20250420_Dedegol

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Kızlar Sivrisi :1

Kızlar Sivrisi, the highest peak in the Bey Dağları mountain range, is part of the western Taurus Mountains. For this climb, I joined the Summit Turkey club from Istanbul. On March 21, 2025, I arrived in Elmalı, Antalya, around 11 p.m. and checked into Akça Hotel for the night. The next morning, I met up with the rest of the group, and we set off for Büyüksöyle Village. From there, we loaded our gear onto a tractor, which transported it as close to the base camp as possible. The final stretch required a 1 km hike with all our equipment. At the camping area, there was a chalet where most of the group stayed, but I opted to set up my own tent. We spent some time practicing crampon and ice axe techniques in preparation for the ascent. After dinner in my tent at 7:00 p.m., I went to bed early at 9:00 p.m. The summit push began early the next morning. We woke up at 2:30 a.m. and started our ascent at 3:45 a.m.. After a steady climb, we reached the summit at 11:00 a.m., took a short break to enjoy the breathtaking views, and began our descent at 11:30 a.m.. We arrived back at camp around 3:00 p.m. and eventually returned to Elmalı by 7:30 p.m. Exhausted from the climb and facing a six-hour drive home, I decided to spend another night at Akça Hotel to rest before making the journey back. 20250323_KizlarSivrisi

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Erciyes :2

Mount Erciyes, an inactive volcano in Kayseri province, Türkiye, is the highest mountain and volcano in Central Anatolia and the fifth highest peak in the country. This was my second attempt to summit Erciyes, and my first winter ascent, with the Summit Turkey club from Istanbul. On March 1, 2025, I arrived at Erciyes Ski Resort around 10:30 a.m. and met up with the group. We took the first cable car to a café at the top of the hill, and the ski resort activated the second cable car for us, bringing us close to our camping area. We set up camp around 2:30 p.m. and spent some time practicing crampon and ice axe techniques. After having dinner in my tent at 6:30 p.m., I went to bed by 7:30 p.m. We woke up at 3:00 a.m. and started our ascent at 4:15 a.m. After a steady climb, we reached the summit at 11:20 a.m. and began our descent at noon. We returned to camp around 2:00 p.m. On the way back, the ski resort did not activate the second cable car, so we had to hike down with all our gear, including camping equipment. We finally reached the ski resort around 4:00 p.m. 20250302_Erciyes

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Emler :2

Emler is the fourth-highest peak in the Aladağlar mountain range, part of the Taurus Mountains. I attempted to summit this mountain for the second time, this time in winter, with the Summit Turkey club from Istanbul. On January 25, 2025, I arrived in Çukurbağ village, Niğde, around 10 a.m., where I met up with the rest of the group. After a shared breakfast, we loaded our gear onto a tractor, which took us to the Sokullupınar camping area. We set up camp and then hiked up to the Karayalak camping area for acclimatization. After dinner in our tents, we went to bed early, aiming to wake up around 11:30 p.m. Our hike began at 12:15 a.m., and thanks to the snow tracks from the previous day, we reached the Karayalak camping area in less than an hour. By around 6 a.m., we reached the point known as “Kapı” (Door). This is often considered the real starting point of the climb, but by this time, we were already significantly behind schedule. The challenging snow conditions made the hike much more difficult than anticipated. Before continuing on to the steep section beyond “Kapı,” we conducted an avalanche risk assessment. The test indicated a potential risk, especially higher up, near a pass. Considering the avalanche threat and the fact that we were already behind schedule—making the summit unfeasible even if we had continued—we decided to prioritize safety and turn back.

20250126_Emler

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Mount Hasan :2

Mount Hasan, a volcano located in Aksaray province, Türkiye, is one of the most prominent peaks in Anatolia. This climb marked my second ascent of the mountain and my first experience with winter climbing. For this adventure, I joined a club called Alpin Dağcılık. On November 30, 2024, I arrived at the mountain’s base near Karbeyaz Hotel, the typical starting point for hikes, at around 1:30 p.m. and set up camp. We began our hike at 3:15 a.m., following the classical route. Snow from a recent snowfall a week prior covered the mountain, and as the first climbers since the snowfall, there were no visible tracks to follow. Fortunately, the weather was mild enough that we didn’t require technical equipment like ice axes or crampons. After a steady ascent, we reached the summit at approximately 10:45 a.m., taking about 7 hours and 30 minutes from base to summit. We spent around 30 minutes at the summit, enjoying the views, before starting our descent. Aware of the potential for freezing temperatures later in the day, we aimed to return to camp quickly. The descent was smooth and efficient, taking just 2 hours and 15 minutes. We arrived back at our camp at 1:30 p.m., completing a memorable and successful climb. 20241201_Hasan

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Büyük Demirkazık :1

Büyük Demirkazık is a peak in the Aladağlar mountain range and the second highest summit in the range, after Kızılkaya. This climb was part of a 4-day, 3-night expedition that aimed to summit three peaks: Küçük Demirkazık, Büyük Demirkazık, and Davlumbaz. For this trip, I joined a group called Summit Turkey. On October 26, 2024, I met the group in Çukurbağ village, Niğde. After breakfast, we loaded our gear onto a tractor and traveled to Arpalık Plateau, where four horses were waiting to carry our equipment to the Obayeri camping area. Büyük Demirkazık was the second summit of our expedition, following Küçük Demirkazık. We woke up around 5:30 a.m. and began hiking around 6:20 a.m., taking the classic route. We reached the shoulder via the East Scree and stopped for breakfast before starting the technical climb up the rock face. We reached the summit around 2:00 p.m. After spending about 30 minutes on the summit, we began our descent right away. After two rope-protected down-climbs, the sun set and it grew dark. We continued with several more technical descents, all in the dark. By 12:30 a.m., we reached the shoulder, but there was still a long way to go, and it was cold and dark. The East Scree route was too dangerous to navigate in the dark, so we decided to take the Red Scree route to reach the Karayalak camping area, where transportation had been arranged to take us back to Çukurbağ village. We finished descending the Red Scree around 2:30 a.m. and started hiking through the valley. Around 4:30 a.m., we encountered a dangerous snowy section of the valley that was risky to cross in the dark. We decided to find shelter and wait for dawn. After sunrise, we crossed the snowy area safely and reached the Karayalak camping area around 11:00 a.m. on October 29, 2024. The recorded trail below ends at the snowy section where we got stuck, as my phone battery died while we waited for dawn. As a result, approximately 8 km of the trail leading to the Karayalak camping area is missing. 20241028_BDK

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Küçük Demirkazık :1

Küçük Demirkazık is a peak in the Aladağlar mountain range. This climb was part of a 4-day, 3-night expedition that aimed to summit three peaks: Küçük Demirkazık, Büyük Demirkazık, and Davlumbaz. For this adventure, I joined a group called Summit Turkey. On October 26, 2024, I met the group in Çukurbağ village, Niğde. After breakfast, we loaded our gear onto a tractor and traveled to Arpalık Plateau, where four horses were waiting to carry our equipment to Obayeri camping area. We arrived just before sunset and quickly set up camp before it got dark. It was extremely cold, and I only managed to get some partial rest during the night due to the low temperatures. We woke up around 5:30 a.m., prepared for the day, and left at 6:00 a.m. for our first summit, Küçük Demirkazık. This climb requires technical climbing experience, which I did not have, and it is known as one of the most challenging technical ascents in the region. We reached 3,300 meters elevation around 10:00 a.m. By this point, the climb had not been very technical, but the remaining ascent was much more difficult and required setting up ropes. Our guide, Emre Varol, climbed first and set the ropes along the route. However, after completing the first pitch, he suggested that I refrain from continuing due to the partial snow cover on the pitch and loose rocks. I agreed, recognizing that it wasn’t a safe climb without prior experience. I waited at that point while the rest of the group continued to the summit and then returned. We descended back to camp, arriving around 8:00 p.m. after sunset. After a quick dinner, we went to sleep to rest for the next summit the following day. Fortunately, the weather was warmer than the previous night, allowing me to sleep much better. I was only able to record the trail one way because my phone battery died. 20241027_KDK

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Erciyes :1

Mount Erciyes is an inactive volcano located in Kayseri province, Türkiye. It is the highest mountain and volcano in Central Anatolia and the fifth highest peak in Türkiye. I climbed this mountain with the SEDAK club from Konya province. We departed from Konya early in the morning on August 17, 2024, and arrived at the Erciyes Ski Resort in the afternoon. We took the cable car up to the café at the top of the hill, and from there, we hiked about 2 km with all of our gear, including our camping equipment. We set up camp around 5 p.m., enjoyed dinner, and went to bed. We woke up at around 1:30 a.m. and began hiking at 2:00 a.m. After a steady ascent, we reached the summit around 8:00 a.m., had breakfast, and began our descent at 9:20 a.m. We returned to camp around 1:00 p.m. 20240818_Erciyes

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Emler :1

Emler is the fourth highest peak in the Aladağlar mountain range, which is part of the Taurus Mountains. I climbed this mountain with the MEDIDAK club from Mersin. I arrived in Çamardı, a town in Niğde, around noon on July 20, 2024, where I met up with the rest of the group. After having lunch and stocking up on supplies from the local stores, we headed to the Turkish Mountaineering Federation (TDF) training center. From there, we transferred to a tractor that took us to the Karayalak camping area, where we set up camp. After a shared dinner, we went to sleep. We woke up around 1:30 a.m. and started our hike at 2:00 a.m. By the time we reached Dinlenme Taşı (Rest Stone), dawn had just broken, and the temperature was very cold. Not wanting to stay still too long as my sweat was chilling me and I didn’t have extra layers, I informed the others and decided to continue ahead. I reached the summit around 9:00 a.m., with the rest of the group arriving about an hour later. The view from the summit was breathtaking, with all the peaks of the Aladağlar range visible. After spending about an hour on the summit (I stayed for two hours since I had arrived earlier), we had breakfast, took photos, and soaked in the surroundings. We then descended back to the Karayalak camping area, where I arrived at around 3:00 p.m. The Emler hike demands strong physical endurance and acclimatization to altitude, but no technical climbing skills are required. 20240721_Emler

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Aydos :1

Mount Aydos, the highest peak in Konya province and the second highest in the Bolkar mountain range (part of the Taurus range), is a prominent climbing destination in Türkiye. I joined a mountaineering group (SEDAK) for this climb, who planned to arrive early in the morning at around 2 a.m. and begin the hike immediately. I decided to arrive earlier to set up camp and rest before the climb. On June 29, 2024, I reached Çakıllar village at around 7 p.m. Beyond the village, there’s an 8-kilometer gravel road leading to the trail base. After driving about 4 kilometers on this road, my car started experiencing issues. I decided to return to Çakıllar village to meet the group and travel with them to the trail base. Instead of setting up camp, I rested in my car while waiting for the group, who arrived at around 1:30 a.m. We reached the trail base together at approximately 2 a.m. We started hiking immediately, following what is known as the ERDAK Club Route, though with some modifications. By 10 a.m., we reached the summit, where we were treated to breathtaking views of Mount Hasan, Mount Erciyes, Demirkazık, and Medetsiz in the distance. We spent about an hour and a half enjoying the scenery before starting our descent. We returned to the trail base at approximately 2:30 p.m. 20240630_Aydos

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Mount Hasan :1

Mount Hasan, a volcano located in Aksaray province, Türkiye, is a prominent peak in Anatolia. On June 8, 2024, I reached the mountain’s base, where most hikes typically begin. This area features a hotel named Karbeyaz and several camping spots. I arrived at around 9 p.m., set up my camp, and went to sleep early, as I planned to join a hiking group (SEDAK) that was scheduled to arrive at 2 a.m. and start the hike immediately. We began the hike between 2:30 and 3 a.m., initially following the classical route. However, just below a rock structure called Damlataş, we deviated from the usual trail that winds through scree and instead ascended directly. This route was slightly precarious due to patches of snow and loose rocks. We reached the summit between 9 and 10 a.m., taking in the breathtaking views. For the descent, we followed the classical route and arrived back at the camp at around 3 p.m. 20240609_Hasan

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Özyurt (Hacıbaba) :1

Özyurt Mountain (also known as Hacıbaba) is the highest peak in Karaman province, Türkiye. Before my successful climb, I made two prior attempts, both of which were unsuccessful. The first attempt was on October 28, 2023, but I had to abandon the hike due to a family emergency. The second attempt took place on November 11, 2023. We began the hike around noon, but as we approached the summit, it became clear that it would get dark before we could complete the climb. Reluctantly, we decided to turn back approximately 500 meters below the summit. On January 6, 2024, I decided to make a third attempt, this time solo. I successfully reached the summit at around 3:30 p.m. Unfortunately, it got dark half way down and I was descending along a different trail down than the one I had taken up. While the trail wasn’t technical, it was rocky, and my physical fitness wasn’t adequate for such a challenging hike. By the time I finished, my legs were trembling, I struggled to sit for several days, and my toes were covered in blisters. Although the elevation of Özyurt Mountain isn’t particularly high and the climb isn’t technical, it does demand a good level of physical fitness—especially for the route I chose. That said, there are alternative, easier trails available for summiting this peak. 20240106_Hacibaba

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Dedegöl :1

Mount Dedegöl is the highest peak in the Central Taurus mountain range, located in Isparta province, Türkiye. Originally, I planned to summit the peak solo, but at the last moment, I decided to bring my nephew along. This was my first attempt at climbing a mountain of this height. Although it didn’t require technical climbing skills, I underestimated the challenge, believing we could complete the climb with ease. Unfortunately, we made a critical mistake right from the start: we didn’t carry enough water. We began our ascent around 9 a.m. and reached the summit by approximately 1 p.m., but we had already run out of water on the way up. On the descent, we made another poor decision to go off-trail, hoping to find water. However, the terrain became increasingly difficult and led us farther from our base camp at Melikler Plateau. On top of that, we couldn’t locate any water sources. Thankfully, we encountered a shepherd family who generously provided us with water and tea. They also had guests with an off-road truck who were kind enough to offer us a ride back to our base camp. In the picture below, Melikler Plateau is visible in the far distance to the left of my right hand. In the trail I recorded below, the last 7 kilometers of the trail were recorded during the off-road truck ride back. 20190831_Dedegol

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