A Windy Night in the Kackar Mountains of Eastern Turkey

March 24th, 2010

Sheila Simkin

Relaxing apres trek in camp on top of a high plateau…View image, the weather suddenly turned cold, ominous and rain began coming down in torrents along with very high winds. We rushed to put on warm clothes. The tents looked as if they were going to go airborne and we ran around like maniacs, tightening tent cords, hammering down the stakes, zipping flaps and generally battening down the hatches. Whoops…when one tent lifted off the ground and only fast work kept it from heading towards the Soviet Union, Jack shouted for everyone to get inside their tents to add body weight. ex-Marine and I sat in the middle of our tent surrounded by stinky clothes and duffels while the wind did it’s best to whip the tent off the ground.

It wasn’t until the wind died down that the group could come out of the tents for dinner in the mist and light rain. The only tent large enough for a group would have been the crew’s tent, loaded with supplies. This was not an option and since we didn’t have a dining tent, 14 very miserable people sat outside eating and freezing on the plateau. I think these photos say it all….

not a happy looking trek group in Turkey

eating outside no matter what the conditions are in Eastern Turkey
A trek really needs a dining tent but, fortunately, this was the only bad night of the trek. Breakfast in the sunshine once again, broke camp and prepared for the only pass.

You don’t have to be an experienced hiker to know when a mountain pass is imminent. First, small glacial lakes appeared. As we gained altitude, the trail became rocky and required concentration and extreme care through the rocks and occasional pockets of snow…View image. Once over the top of the pass, there were incredibly breathtaking views. Jagged and inspiring crags of the snow-topped Kackar mountains right before our eyes. Moments like this bring tears to my eyes and, bear with me here, I have to marvel at the glory of both God and nature. Or, if you are an Atheist, how about the wonders of the teutonic plates shifting?