Ararat: waiting out a blizzard at 4,200 m

In early October parties heading for the summit of Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı — Turkey’s highest peak) halted the climb after weather turned sharply worse around 4,200 m.

Near the main camp heavy snowfall and a blizzard cut visibility almost to zero, making a safe continuation of the ascent impossible.

Team leaders paused the summit push to keep climbers safe. Groups pulled back to the 4,200 m base camp and are waiting in tents under safety precautions.

Experienced mountain guide Nuri Saltık said that at the 4,200 m main camp dense snow and a strong blizzard had nearly wiped out visibility; climbers’ health and morale were fine, and they were sitting out the storm in tents. Once wind and storm ease they will reassess and decide when to resume the summit attempt.

Camp teams keep watching live weather data and wind speed.