US envoy Ricciardone climbing Turkey’s peak, Ağrı Mountain

AĞRI – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

The U.S. ambassador to Ankara Francis Ricciardone started climbing Turkey’s highest peak Mount Ağrı with his family on July 14.

Ricciardone arrived in the eastern province of Ağrı on July 13 to climb Mount Ağrı, the highest mountain in the country with a height of 5,137 meters. He is accompanied by his wife and daughter, who also joined the climb.

The Ricciardone family started their trip by visiting the İshakpaşa Palace, an example of 18th century Ottoman architecture located five kilometers from Ağrı’s Doğubayazıt district, and then went by car to the Topçatan village, at an altitude of 2,200 meters, to start the climb.

The U.S. envoy and his family reached a height of 3,200 meters on July 14 and spent the night there, while they are expected to climb to the camp at 4,200 meters on July 15. Ricciardone will reach the peak of the 5,137 meter high Mount Ağrı on the third day of the climb. A local guide is climbing with the ambassador.

Ricciardone, who is known for his athletic ability, also joined the 6.5-kilometer 25th Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Races in Istanbul on July 7, ranking 32nd in the men’s 60-69 years of age category.