High Camp brings spectacular views, altitude sickness, and the dreaded "pee bottle" dilemma. Read the hilarious and tense reality of preparing for a 2:00 AM summit push.
Chasing Noah's Ark: Climbing Ağrı Dağı in 1967 (Part 3)
The Warrior’s Bow: A Reflection on Rainbows from Mt. Ararat
Ward Patterson’s Notes: Climbing Ağrı Dağı in 1967 (Part 2)
The Scree Scramble and the Great Vintage Crampon Disaster
A Lost Photo Appears: Climbing Ağrı Dağı in 1967 (Part 1)
No Toilets, Thin Air, and High Stakes: High Camp Chronicles
The Meaning of Ararat: Moving to High Camp & Biblical History
Climb High, Sleep Low: Acclimatizing on Ağrı Dağı (Mount Ararat)
Squish-Squish: Surviving Rain & Acclimatization at Low Camp
Language Lessons & Sausage: Life in the Low Camp Mess Tent
A Vertical Life(way): Nomads on Mount Ararat
Çevirme: The End of the Line and the Start of the Trail
One Last Night in Doğubayazıt: The Eve of the Ararat Ascent
Ishak Paşa Palace: A Medieval Dinosaur and Ancient Urartu
Doğubayazıt and the Silk Road: Following Marco Polo's Footsteps
Cowboy Town: On the Frontier of the Wild Wild East in Doğubayazıt
Road Tripping Eastern Turkey: From Lake Van to Iran
Fire and Ice: Beholding Mount Ararat
The Bells of Madaba
Madaba, Jordan, sits astride the ancient path known as the King’s Highway. The city itself sprawls this way and that from the slopes of an ancient tell. The highest point of the city is topped by a church dedicated to the Martyrdom of John the Baptist. For some, the memory of John is reason enough for a visit. My focus, however, is the bell tower. The tower is visible for miles and miles around. Obviously if one could climb it, it would be the best place from which to get the “big picture” of the region. But is it possible?