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Archive for March, 2012

New Trip! Discover the Wonders of Turkey and Climb Mount Ararat

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

Ripe with untapped opportunities for outdoor exploration, Turkey is a spectacular travel destination for adventure seekers. Join us as we climb Turkey’s highest mountain, Mount Ararat at 16,854ft/5,137m. A glaciated, dormant volcanic cone, Mount Ararat has long been a site of intrigue because, according to Judeo-Christian tradition, it is the final resting place of Noah’s Ark. We will leave the quest for the Ark to the experts and focus on the summit, but we’ll keep our eyes open just in case.

Mount Ararat

Mount Ararat

Before we venture up the mountain, we will acclimatize by exploring some of Turkey’s most exciting places. The journey begins in Istanbul, one of the world’s most historically rich cities. We take in a few of the key historic sites including the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. Next we head to Cappadocia where huge pinnacles of rock define the region’s lunar landscape and where buildings, including our hotel, are carved into the rocky hills. We will begin by exploring the ancient underground cities that served to protect villagers from invading armies for centuries. Then, to stretch our legs and prepare for Mount Ararat, we will climb Mount Hasan at 10,672ft/3,253m in the Cappadocia region.

Istanbul’s Blue Mosque

Istanbul’s Blue Mosque

A balloon flies over Cappadocia

A balloon flies over Cappadocia

Finally, we head to the mountain. The climb involves basic glacier travel, but does not require mountaineering experience. On summit day, you will walk with crampons and an ice axe to the summit, but we will practice proper techniques during our acclimatization hikes so that you will be ready. We will spend four nights/five days on the mountain.

Climb to the summit

Climb to the summit

Looking for a family get-away during summer vacation this year? Our Turkey expedition is great for families. While the mountaineering required on Mount Ararat is suitable for young teenagers, we can make other travel arrangements for family members who do not want to climb.

Contact our office for more information or to reserve your spot on this year’s expedition so that you can see the wonders of Turkey firsthand! Dates for 2013 will be available soon. Visit the Turkey homepage.

Travel Reading Series: The Biography of an Everest Icon

Friday, March 16th, 2012

When people think of Everest icons, climbers like Sir Edmund Hillary and Reinhold Messner come to mind, but behind the scenes there is another beloved icon working long, hard hours each climbing season. Her name is Elizabeth Hawley. While Ms. Hawley has never climbed Mount Everest, she could describe the mountain to you in such detail that you would never believe that she hasn’t even been to Base Camp. Since 1963 when she reported on the American Everest Expedition, she has been collecting and archiving information about Himalayan climbs making her the leading expert on the subject. This month our featured book is her biography called I’ll Call You in Kathmandu: The Elizabeth Hawley Story by Bernadette McDonald.

Read the full book review here.

You want to meet Ms. Hawley? Join our 2013 Spring Everest Expedition!

Meet the Climber: Howard Stockburger

Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

We’d like to introduce Howard Stockburger, a Berg Adventures climber and member of our 2012 Aconcagua Expedition. He sent us a great recount of this year’s climb that we are happy to share with you. Read Howard’s article and visit other BAI climbers on the Meet a BAI Climber page.

Aconcagua climber Howard Stockburger

Aconcagua climber Howard Stockburger

To plan your own Aconcagua adventure, visit the Aconcagua homepage or contact our office to get the latest Aconcagua brochure.

Kilimanjaro Gets a New Summit Sign

Monday, March 5th, 2012

Say it ain’t so. The crooked, weather-beaten summit sign on Kilimanjaro will no longer greet climbers as they cross the mountain’s summit ridge and climb the mountain’s highest point. Now a shiny new sign stands at attention on Uhuru Peak waiting to congratulate a new generation of climbers.

Anyone who has climbed Kilimanjaro knows that the old sign was more than a place marker; it was a symbol of accomplishment providing climbers with the last push they needed to make it all the way to the top. The new sign will surely fill the important role of the old one, and we can only hope that before long it will be just as weather-beaten and crooked.

I can’t help but wonder about what happened to the old one. I’m sure there is a good story there.

Be one of the first to get a summit shot with the new sign and join us on Kilimanjaro this summer!

New summit sign on Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro’s new look

Old summit sign on Kilimanjaro

Sign no more