Dozens attend ‘Nature Sports Festival’ in Turkey’s Hakkari

HAKKARI- Anadolu Agency

More than 100 local and foreign visitors have attended the “Nature Sports Festival” in Turkey’s southeastern Cilo Mountains region. 

Cilo, the country’s second highest mountain, the peak being at an altitude of 4,137 meters, is located in the Yüksekova district of Hakkari province.

The three-day festival starting from June 29 was organized by the Cilo Sat Lakes and Glaciers Mountaineering and Nature Sports Association along the Sat glacial lakes at an altitude of 3,400 meters.

Several activities including trekking, paragliding, canoeing, swimming and mountain biking were organized as part of the festival.

Workers of National Medical Rescue Teams, 112 Emergency Line Health Services and Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority were also present at the festival.

Speaking to state-run Anadolu Agency, Ersan Basar, head of the Turkish Mountaineering Federation, underlined the importance of the region for mountaineers.

“This region is very important for mountaineers. Unfortunately, it was closed for a long time due to terrorism,” Basar said. “We have successfully climbed the summit. I think the number of climbers will increase in the future.”

Vladan Cosic, a tourist from Croatia, said: “This is one of the very rare natural places. I came across untouched natural beauty here.”

Meanwhile, Hakkari Alpine Commando unit Brigade Commander Emre Tayanç said: “Getting together here from different places gives me a lot of hope for the transformation of this area. We will use this place for tourism, animal husbandry and mining.”