Ski Touring on Ararat, 7 Days

The southern route on Ararat begins after the drive from Igdir by way of Dogubayazit to the village of Eli at about 2200 m. From here the group climbs to a tented camp at 3200 m, makes an acclimatisation outing to 4200 m and comes back down to sleep lower. That sequence gives the body time to adapt before the ascent to 5137 m.

The spring route is run as a high-altitude ski tour. On snow-covered sections participants climb on skins, use ski crampons and descend on skis. Higher up, the state of the slope may require a changeover to mountaineering crampons and an ice axe. Skis therefore do not replace mountaineering preparation, and a full descent from the summit is not a promised part of the programme.

Ararat has a comparatively direct profile on the southern route, but the altitude, life under canvas, the early start and the long summit day all demand good physical condition. Participants must check the compatibility of skis, bindings, skins, ski crampons, boots and mountaineering crampons in advance, and must be able to control their speed confidently off prepared pistes.

Group and personal equipment up to 20 kg per participant is carried by horses. That eases the trek to camp, but it does not remove the need for a personal rucksack with clothing, water, food and the compulsory emergency kit. On the mountain part the group lives in tents and must be prepared for limited comforts.

The state of the snow on Ararat changes as spring goes on. Each day the guide sets the start time, the way the group moves, the permissible line of ascent and the point at which the descent begins. If conditions do not allow the climb or the skiing to continue safely, the decision to turn back is taken regardless of the group’s plans.

Ski-touring skis, boots, bindings, skins and ski crampons are not available for hire, so each participant brings their own compatible ski set.

Day 1. Arrival in Igdir and meeting the team. A Mountain Guide representative meets participants at Igdir airport and arranges the transfer to the hotel. After checking in, the group meets the guide, goes over the southern route on Ararat and checks each participant’s ski-touring, avalanche and mountaineering kit. It is important to find any incompatibility between boots, bindings, ski crampons and mountaineering crampons before going up on the mountain. Dinner and a briefing in the evening. Night in a hotel. Arrival by way of Van is possible, but that transfer is paid separately.

Day 2. Trek from the village of Eli to the camp at 3200 m. After breakfast the group drives to the village of Eli at about 2200 m. The trek to the first tented camp starts here. How the group moves depends on the lower edge of the snow: participants use skis wherever the snow cover allows them to travel on skins. The trek takes roughly five hours and is the first stage of acclimatisation. Horses carry the agreed load within the terms of the programme. Night in tents at 3200 m.

Day 3. Acclimatisation outing to 4200 m. The group climbs above the camp without the aim of reaching the summit. The outing helps the body adapt to altitude and allows the use of skins and ski crampons, and the changeover to mountaineering crampons, to be checked. The way of moving and the high point of the day are set by the guide according to the snow, the wind and the state of the participants. After a rest and something to eat, the group descends back to 3200 m. Night in tents.

Day 4. Second acclimatisation day and preparation for the summit. In spring the high camp is not moved, so the group stays at 3200 m. Depending on how everyone feels and on conditions, there is either a short training outing or the day is used for recovery. The guide confirms the start time, shares out the group equipment and checks the avalanche kit, skis, bindings, crampons and ice axes once more. After dinner, an early night. Night in tents.

Day 5. Summit attempt on Ararat, 5137 m. An early start. Participants climb on skis for as long as the snow and the gradient allow, and on hard firn or ice they change to mountaineering crampons and an ice axe at the guide’s decision. Reaching the summit and an unbroken ski descent from it are not guaranteed. The turnaround point and the point at which the ski descent begins are set by the guide. After the attempt the group returns to the camp at 3200 m. Night in tents.

Day 6. Reserve day or descent from the mountain. This day is provided in case of unfavourable weather. If the summit attempt took place the day before, the group strikes camp, descends to the village of Eli and transfers to the hotel. In the evening the current programme provides for dinner with a local family. If the reserve is used for a second attempt, the group returns to camp the same day after the outing, strikes it, descends to the village of Eli and transfers to the hotel. Night in a hotel.

Day 7. End of the programme. After breakfast, a transfer to Igdir airport is arranged. Participants flying out by way of Van pay for a separate transfer. The departure time is agreed with the flights and with the actual end of the mountain part of the programme.

• Mountain Guide guides: a lead guide throughout the programme and assistant guides on summit day; no more than four participants to one guide
• Hotel accommodation in Dogubayazit in twin or triple rooms, for the number of nights set out in the programme
• Tented accommodation on the mountain part of the route
• Transfers Igdir – Ararat – Igdir according to the programme
• Three meals a day throughout the programme, with dinner on the first day and breakfast on the last
• The necessary permits and registrations for the route
• Group equipment: tents, ropes, ice screws, radios, navigation and a group first-aid kit
• Horses to carry group and personal loads up to 20 kg per participant

• International and domestic flights
• The transfer by way of Van
• Personal ski-touring, avalanche and mountaineering equipment
• Medical insurance and the costs of search and rescue, transport and evacuation
• The visa and other entry documents where these are required by the participant’s nationality
• Single occupancy
• Personal expenses, drinks, communications and additional services
• Costs arising from changes to the programme beyond the included scope of services

Documents:

• Passport.
• Flight tickets.
• Medical insurance.

Personal equipment:

• Backpack. 30-50l.
• Sleeping bag, comfort temperature from -10C and below.
• Sleeping mattress.
• Trekking poles.
• Crampons.
• Ice axe.

Clothing and shoes:

• Trekking shoes with crampons.
• Trainers.
• Waterproof layer – jacket + trousers. The industry offers a range of products from simple 5000/5000 membranes to Gore-Tex products.
• Fleece trousers and jacket.
• Thermal underwear top + bottom.
• Down jacket.
• Thick gloves.
• Thin gloves.
• Bandana (in addition to sun protection in the valley, it can be used to warm your neck or face in the cold).
• Warm hat.
• Warm trekking socks for the climbing day.

Travel accessories:

• LED headlamp.
• A pair of sunglasses.
• Ski goggles.
• Thermos – 1l. Better without a button on the lid.
• Windproof mask on the lower part of the face (with some success, you can replace it with a scarf).
• Alligators.
• Sun block and lip balm.
• Chemical heating pads (not necessary, but can be very useful).
• Personal medical kit.
• Knee braces.