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KAÇKAR - THE GREEN MOUNTAINS
	In the rainy and lush landscapes of northeastern Turkey, the Kackar mountains form the northern section of the Anatolian mountain chain. The Kackar Kavron summit, at an altitude of 3932 meters, is the highest point in the range. Oved the tea gardens are the Kaçkar Mts. which has the wildest jungles of the country. Two glaciers on the north face of Kaçkar peak and one glacier on tha south face of Kaçkar peak which cherishes in the rivers sprining from the permamenet snows, the thermal healty waters and the glaciers, arriving at the rivers sprining from permanent snows, the thermal healty waters and the glaciers, arriving at the forest are another interesting property of Kaçkar. Some of residents call the Kaçkar "Honey Mountains". With the help of a wide number of wild plants in region. Extensive glacier and water erosion have given these mountains their craggy, rugged look, and they are known for the complexity and power of the streams and rivers which rush down to the lower altitudes. In fact, this range is the third most important glacial region in Turkey following the Agri (Ararat) and Cilo_Sat mountains. The geological and mountaineering aspects of the Kackars contribute to their importance in Turkey's economy and tourism.
Climate The region enjoys an almost sub_tropical climate of temperate yet rainy weather with an average temperature of 14! C. The lowest temperature, 7! C., fall in the month of January while August sees the hottest days reaching a maximum recorded temperature of 22.6! C. Location & Flora The Kackars rise in between the shores of the Black Sea to the north and the River Coruh valley to the south. On the northern flank, a good variety of vegetation flourishes in the rainy climate. Up to 500 meters above sea level, tea plantations and citrus orchards cover the hillsides. Chesnut, hornbeam, beech and other large leafed trees forest the slopes to 750 meters. Between 750-1500 meters of elevation, pines mix in with the broad leafed trees forest the slopes to 750 meters. Between 750-1500 meters of elevation, pines mix in with the broad leafed trees until gradually they remain the only species of tree from 1500-2000 meters.
	Alpine Meadows Alpine meadows and other grassy vegetation covers the ground above 2100 meters. On the southern faces of the Kackars, which receive strong sunshine and less precipitation, the agriculture is based on the cultivation of fruits and vines. As on the north side in the higher elevations, meadows of wild flowers and grass blanket the slopes up to 2300 meters. Trips & Climbs The Altiparmak, Kavron, Varsamba mountains are the principal peaks of the Kackars. Both the north and south faces of the Altiparmak and Kavron can be scaled but Varsamba should only be attempted from the north face. It is imperative to use a local guide when climbing the Kackars.
	AGRI (MT. ARARAT) Rising at the borders of Turkey and Iran, Mount Agri, an inactive volcano capped year round with ice and snow, rises to 5137 meters. The Old Testament records that it was on this mountain that Noah's Ark came to rest after the great flood. Southwest of the mountain, the Little Mount Agri (Ararat) reaches up to 3896 meters; the Serdarbulak lava plateau (2600 m) stretches out between the two pinnacles. Climbing the spectacular Agri is a challenging and rewarding experience. The top of Ararat is covered with a large cap glacier and many valley glaciers run from the top. The worlds attention has been drawn have due to Noah's history. In the south near a village theri is a long fossil which is supposed to belong to Noah's Ark because of similarity, according to some archologists studiying this subject. In the summer, the weather in the area and on Mount Agri is sunny, warm and dry. However, in the winter and spring, cold and harsh conditions prevail, and mountain climbers occasionally face blizzards and turbulent weather. July, August, and September are the months when most world mountain climbers come to the area. Climbing up Agri is most enjoyable during this period. However, despite the usual sunny and clear weather at that time of year, high altitude mountain weather swirls around above 3000 meters. The southern side of the mountain offers the easiest and safest climb to the summit. With this route one has access to the best route communication and transportation facilities and it is safe. It is not recommended to climb Mount Agri alone and without a guide. Getting There The Trabzon- Erzurum- Iran International Transit Highway, an asphalt road skirts the western and southern flanks of Agri before leading into Iran. Dogubeyazit, 270 km from Erzurum and nearby Igdir, the two closest towns to the mountain, are located on this route. Planes, trains, and buses connect Erzurum with Ankara.
Regional Attractions The area surrounding Agri has retained its natural beauty. The local population still engages in a traditional life styles. In the summer months the villagers move to the yayla, the summer pastures, to find fresh grazing for their herds of sheep, goats, cattle and horses. Women continue to weave carpets and kilims in time _ honored designs; Village of Ortulu is particularly renowned as a center of beautiful handicrafts. Other nearby tourist attractions include the Ishakpasha Palace, a fabulous 18th century castle of a local potentate, and the meteor hole near the Iranian border. Do not miss the spectacular site of the Ishak Pasa Palace, only 6 km from Dogubayazit. Ishak Pasa, Ottoman governor of the province, constructed the palace in the 17th century with a mixture of architectural styles. Nearby you can see a bas-relief of an Urartian king, and a rock tomb from the ninth century B.C. Near Dogubayazit, Turkey's most scenic natural monument, Mount Agri rises to a height of 5,137 meters. To see the place where it is believed that Noah's Ark came aground, go to Üzengili Village, 25 km east of Dogubayazit. Be sure to try the local dessert (Actually it is very widely popular all around Turkey) Asure (Noah's Pudding), believed to have first been made by Noah's wife from the last bits of food in the ark.
	Ararat is the largest and highest (16,940 feet, 5,165 m) volcano in Turkey. Ararat is located at 39.7N, 44.3E. In this image, north is to the lower left. The border with Armenia is 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the summit and is roughly along the left edge of the image. Ararat has not erupted in historic time. The most recent eruption was probably in the last 10,000 years. The volcano is thought to be the resting place of Noah's ark. The observation of vessel-shaped features in aerial photographs of Ararat caused a stir in the late 1950s. Expeditions found the features to be landslides and lava flows. The cause of volcanism in eastern Turkey has not been established. However, the region lacks moderate and deep earthquake activity common to most subduction zones. An alternative model proposes renewed subduction of continental lithosphere A third model proposes that volcanism is related to shear along the contact of the two plates. Mount Ararat lies in the far east of Turkey close to the borders with Iran, Iraq and Armenia. Kackar mountains, which are still accessible to visitors and in many ways more attractive to mountain walkers since they comprise a complete range of mountains, rising to 3932m, rather than the isolated volcanic cone of Ararat. Ararat is the great prize however for mountain collectors, not only because it is the highest summit in Turkey but also for its historical significance. (Armenian Masis; Turkish Agri Dagi; Persian Koh-i-Nuh), mountain, extreme eastern Turkey, near the border with Armenia and Iran. Except on the northwest, where a spur nearly 2134 m (7000 ft) high merges with a long ridge, the mountain is completely isolated, being surrounded on all other sides by elevated plains ranging from about 760 to 1370 m (about 2500 to 4500 ft) above sea level. From an elevation of about 2680 m (about 8800 ft) Ararat rises in two peaks, known as Great Ararat (5122 m/16,804 ft) and Little Ararat (3914 m/12,840 ft). Above the 4267-m (14,000-ft) level, Great Ararat is perpetually covered with snow. Vegetation, consisting for the most part of grasses, is chiefly confined to the area between about 1525 and 3355 m (about 5000 and 11,000 ft). According to the Old Testament (see Genesis 8:4), Noah's ark landed on the "mountains of Ararat" after the deluge. On July 2, 1840, great masses of the mountain were torn loose by a violent earthquake. The resulting avalanche buried a village and the St. Jacob's Monastery on its lower slopes producing the Ahora Gorge.