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Height: 3932
m.
Location: The eastern Black Sea, parallel to
the coast between Rize and Hopa.
The best time for climbing: August to September
during summer, February to March during winter.
Characteristics:The
mountain is made up mostly of granite, cyanite, andesite
and diorite. Swift running water and glaciers have caused
significant erosion, which has given the mountains a
rough broken appearance. The northern slopes, which
are covered with lush vegetation, rise right out of
the sea. The Kackar Mountains can be divided into three
sections: Vercenik in the west, Kavran in the centre,
and Altiparmak in the east.
Transport: The easiest way to reach the Kackar
Mountains is from the north via Trabzon-Rize-Ardesen,
finally arriving at Camlihemsin, a journey of 75km.
When hiking to the peak of Kackar, it is possible to
stop over at the mountain pasture at Ayder. From here
one may reach the beginning of the ascent to the peak
by way of either the Lower Kavron or the Upper Kavron
road. Another important peak in this range is Vercenik,
which can be reached via Cat and Bashemsin.
Climbing
equipment:Rope, helmet, crampons, ice picks, appropriate
and adequate camping gear and clothing for humid and
rainy weather. Climbing preparations can be made in
Ardesen and Camlihemsin.
To climb Mt. Kackar take the road to Ayder Ilicasi,
and for Mt. Vercenik, go to the village of Cat, which
has a superb view. It takes about 4 hours to climb up
to Ortakoy, and from there continue to the mountain
pasture at Ismer, where you can set up camp. Here you
will be at the base of the 3711m peak of Vernecik, and
there are many ways to tackle the peak. The historical
ruins of Zirkale and the village of Kolona are on the
road to Vercenik.
The climb up the peaks of Kavran: A number of different
ascents can be used to reach the peaks of these mountains.
The Northern Face:The
last opportunity for outfitting is at Ayder. Lower (Asagi)
Kavran and Upper (Yukari) Kavran can be reached by car,
or 1½ hours on foot and then another 2 hours to reach
the Bogacayiri (Okuzcayiri), where camp can be set up
at 2900 meters. From here there are a variety of climbs
to the nearby peaks. The highest peak, Kackar (Kavran),
with an altitude of 3932 meters, is to the south. A
climb up the northern face takes 7-9 hours.
The Southern Face: The southern approach is reached
by following the road through Yusufeli, Barhal, Yaylalar
(Hevek), Olgunlar and Meretet. Local transport is available
to Yusufeli and Olgunlar. It is also possible to rent
a vehicle in Yusufeli. Final preparations should be
made in Yusufeli but last minute food items can be bought
at the village of Yaylalar (Hevek). Local accommodation
is available in boarding houses, or campsites. It is
possible to reach Olgun by car, and pack animals may
be rented to carry supplies.
The hike from Yaylalar to Dilberduzu, the main camp
site, can be easily made in 5 hours. Around the main
camp are a number of peaks, which are good for one-day
outings, and the peak of Mt. Kackar can be reached a
number of different ways. It takes 9-10 hours to reach
the top and there is a camp site there. Between August
and September there is no need for crampons or ice-picks.
The main campsite at Mt. Kackar, Dilberuzu, is south
of the peak itself. The peak cannot be seen from the
campsite, and to see it requires a 30-minute climb up
the peaks to the south and southwest of the campsite.
The elevation of the campsite is 3000 meters, and it
is possible to ascend up either side. If you go south,
it is possible to reach the Altiparmak mountains.
Climbing the Mountains of Altiparmak:
The northern route passes through Ayder and Dutha. By
setting up camp at Agvecur, Kackar or Zigam, you can
climb Mt. Karatas (3492m) or Altiparmak (3480m). Those
who take the southern route, drive from Erzurum to the
village of Altiparmak Barhal. From here, it is a 5-hour
hike to the campsite at Karagol. From the campsite,
there are different ascents which depends on each climber’s
level of skill.
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