Ararat Blitz, 5137 m — 3-Day Climb for Acclimatised Participants

Ararat is the highest summit in Turkey and a stratovolcanic massif of the Armenian Highlands. Greater Ararat is 5137 m high. The mountain is known as the place where, according to the biblical tradition, Noah’s Ark came to rest.

The classic way up Ararat requires no difficult rock climbing, but the blitz format turns a technically accessible route into a serious high-altitude task. Between the camp at 3340 m and the summit there is almost 1800 m to gain, and then the same distance to descend back to that camp. The main effort falls on a single long day, and there is almost no time for adaptation or recovery.

In the ordinary seven-day programme participants first sleep at 3340 m, make an acclimatisation excursion to 4200 m, return lower down and only then move to the high camp. The blitz has none of those stages. On the very first day after the flight the group climbs to camp, and the following night it sets off for the summit.

The programme is therefore intended for people who have recently been above 4000–5000 m and have kept that acclimatisation, or who have a confirmed high-altitude record and have agreed their participation with Mountain Guide. Isolated successes without acclimatisation are not a reason to recommend that tactic to anyone else.

A sound strategy is to place the Ararat blitz after another summit in the same journey, or soon after it. Combining it with Elbrus or Kazbek allows you to use the adaptation you have already gained, but it requires a separate calculation of flights, of recovery time and of each participant’s condition.

The upper part of the route crosses snow and ice. Whether crampons and an ice axe are needed is decided by the actual state of the slope, not by the calendar alone. Boots, crampons, ice axe, sleeping bag and warm layers must all be agreed before departure.

An early start helps you cross the snow section before the warmth of the day. Once the sun is on it the snow can soften and noticeably increase the effort of the descent. Strong wind, precipitation, poor visibility, a lagging pace or signs of altitude illness may all be reasons to turn around.

The guide sets the time of departure, the pace and the turnaround times. The decision to continue the climb is taken in the light of the weather, the state of the route and how everyone is feeling, and a safe return takes priority over the summit.

If your high-altitude experience is not sufficient, choose the classic programme with acclimatisation instead. Participation in either format requires mountaineering insurance covering an altitude of at least 5137 m, search and rescue and emergency evacuation.

Day 1. Arrival in Igdir and the move to the camp at 3340 m.

Participants fly independently to Igdir airport, where a member of the team meets the group. Once the baggage is collected the transfer to Ararat begins, followed by the walk up to the camp at 3340 m. The guide checks equipment, assesses how everyone is feeling and compares the high-altitude experience you declared with your actual condition. The blitz format does not create acclimatisation in a day: admission assumes recent high-altitude experience and is confirmed by Mountain Guide in advance of booking. After settling in, participants have dinner, prepare clothing, crampons, ice axe and headtorch, and try to conserve energy before the night start. Night in tents.

Day 2. Ascent of Ararat, 5137 m.

The group sets off early in the morning. The start time and the tactics are set by the guide, taking into account the weather, the state of the snow and ice, the pace and how the participants are feeling. On the upper part of the route crampons and an ice axe may be used. A participant is cleared to continue the attempt if they hold a safe pace, follow the guide’s instructions, work confidently with the agreed equipment and pass the checkpoints without signs of a dangerous deterioration. Reaching the summit is not guaranteed: at any sign of altitude illness, in unsafe weather or if the group falls behind the control times, the guide will decide to turn around. After the attempt the group descends to the camp at 3340 m, recovers and prepares to leave the mountain. Night in tents.

Day 3. Descent to the village of Eli and the end of the programme.

After breakfast the group strikes camp and descends to the village of Eli. The task of the day is to finish the route safely after the effort of summit day, so the pace of the descent is set by the guide and it matters that participants stay attentive until the walking section is over. At the vehicles the baggage is handed over to the local team, after which the group leaves for Igdir airport. The departure time is set by the schedule of the agreed flight and the margin needed for the journey and for check-in. At the airport participants check in themselves and the programme ends.

• Guiding — for a group of 4 people or more, a Mountain Guide team leader; for a group of up to 3 people, a local guide according to the tariff chosen
• Local assistant guides on summit day — no more than 4 participants per guide
• Group transfers on the route Igdir – Ararat – Igdir
• Meals as set out in the programme, from dinner on the day of arrival to breakfast on the day of departure
• All the permissions and registrations required for the route
• Tents for the two nights during the mountain part
• Horses to carry the group equipment and up to 15 kg of personal baggage per participant

• International and domestic air tickets to Igdir and back
• A visa and any other entry documents for Turkey, where these are required for your nationality
• Personal climbing and trekking equipment
• Medical insurance covering a high-altitude ascent to 5137 m
• The costs of medical assistance, search and rescue and evacuation that are not covered by your insurer
• Personal expenses, including drinks, communications and shopping
• Additional costs if a participant ends the climb early or separates from the group
• Costs arising from delayed or cancelled flights, unfavourable weather or a forced change to the schedule

दस्तावेज़:

• पासपोर्ट
• हवाई जहाज़ के टिकट
• चिकित्सा बीमा

व्यक्तिगत साजो-सामान:

• बैकपैक 30–50 लीटर
• स्लीपिंग बैग, आरामदायक तापमान +10°C या उससे कम
• मैट (कैरिमैट)
• ट्रेकिंग पोल
• क्रैम्पॉन (काँटे)
• आइस एक्स (आइस ऐक्स)

कपड़े और जूते:

• ट्रेकिंग बूट्स जिन पर क्रैम्पॉन लगाए जा सकें
• स्नीकर्स
• वॉटरप्रूफ परत – जैकेट और पैंट (5000/5000 मेम्ब्रेन से लेकर Gore-Tex तक के विकल्प उपलब्ध हैं)
• फ्लीस सूट
• थर्मल अंडरवियर (ऊपर और नीचे)
• डाउन जैकेट
• मोटे दस्ताने
• पतले दस्ताने
• बैंडाना / बफ (घाटी में धूप से बचाव के लिए, और ठंड में गर्दन या चेहरे को ढकने के लिए)
• टोपी
• शिखर दिवस के लिए गर्म ट्रेकिंग मोज़े

अन्य:

• हेडलैम्प (एलईडी)
• धूप के चश्मे
• स्की गॉगल्स
• थर्मस – 1 लीटर (ढक्कन पर बटन के बिना होना बेहतर है)
• चेहरे के निचले हिस्से के लिए विंडप्रूफ मास्क (इसे स्कार्फ से भी बदला जा सकता है)
• गेटर्स
• सनस्क्रीन और लिप बाम
• केमिकल हीट पैक (अनिवार्य नहीं, लेकिन बहुत उपयोगी हो सकते हैं)
• व्यक्तिगत फर्स्ट-एड किट
• इलास्टिक बैंडेज और/या सपोर्ट ब्रेस