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Rize - Kackar Mountain Range
 Looking
like a pristine natural park, the Kackar Mountains
between Rize and Hopa have a dazzling array of plants
and animals, clear blue lakes, green forests and
razor-sharp glaciers which can be seen year-round.
The highest peaks in the range are Altiparmak (3480m),
Kavran (3932m) and Vercenik (3710m).
Every year hundreds of climbers
visit Kackar Mountain, whose southern face offers
an easy climb. If there is no fog, there is a magnificent
view of the mountains of the eastern Black Sea.
The northern face is usually for more experienced
climbers, with the opportunity to visit the thermal
springs at Ayder on the trip down.
Climbing the mountain in the
winter is as hard as the summer climb is easy. In
the winter months, snow fills the mountains and
covers the high pastures, and the houses disappear
completely. The slopes of the glaciers are very
conducive to avalanches.
Height: 3932m.
Location: The eastern
Black Sea, parallel to the coast between Rize and
Hopa.<br> The best time for climbing: August to
September during summer,<br> 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.
Climbing: 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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