Mount Aratat & the Wonders of Turkey Expedition Dispatch

August 18, 2013 – The Team Is at Camp I

We left our hotel at the edge of the city of Dogubeyazit at 9:30 this morning. A straight, rough dirt road led directly toward the mountain.

After 45 minutes of driving we found our horses waiting beside the road. Duffel bags were quickly unloaded and we all began to hike while the horse packers loaded their animals.

Deke had walked no more than a couple of minutes before the soles fell off his shoes! Fortunately Dennis wears the same size boot and the guys were able to stop the horses and get another pair of shoes from Dennis’ pack for Deke to wear. In no time the whole team was walking again.

Today was a hot day – the hottest that either Wally or Duygu recall seeing on Ararat and according to Jamal the hottest day of the summer season on the mountain so far this year. The heat took something out of us during the 6-hour walk to Camp I. We began hiking at 7,200 feet above sea level and when we reached Camp I our elevation was 10,900 feet.

Tea, drinks and snacks were waiting in Jamal’s dining tent when we arrived at 4:30 PM. The many fig and date snacks, nuts, as well as the “moon pies” all tasted great. There was some cool water which we used to wash the dust off our faces and legs. It began to get cooler in the late afternoon and it was quite a pleasant temperature by the time Mehmet served dinner. We had our normal first night on the mountain dinner: Barbequed lamb and chicken, homemade soup, fresh salad, pita bread and rice. The baklava which was put on the table for desert was delicious and Doc had several pieces before dinner as well as a couple after dinner!

It is off to bed now. Tomorrow we will hike higher toward our High Camp and return to this camp to rest and acclimatize more before we continue our ascent. The entire team is well, the effects of the heat were a factor but oxygen saturations are high and hydration and a good night’s rest should have everyone feeling great tomorrow morning.