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Azerbaijan 2013

Trip to Azerbaijan and trekking to Qizil Qaya 3726m

Visit to Prince Island (Istanbul), Baku, Quba, Xinaliq, Nabram and ascent to mountain Qizil Qaya
29/8/2013 - 7/9/2013

Mountain Qizil Qaya 3726m

Caspian Sea

Photographs

The diary

Thursday 29/08/2013 : Xanthi - Istanbul - Prince Island - Baku
At 12:00 midnight I went with Giannis and Petros at the bus station after a beer at the bar. Departure at 00:40 by bus from Xanthi towards Istanbul. We delay one hour and a quarter to cross the border. At the bus station Otogar Istanbul arrived at 8:20 in the morning because during the trip the bus made several stops. We left the big bags in storage of the METRO company for 2TL per backpack and we took the metro and went to Aksaray (3TL) from there we went by tram to Eminonu to take a boat to Buyukada (11:30). The trip by boat was 1:15 and cost 5TL. As soon as we arrived we went to the Prince's almost entire island on foot for over four hours. We passed by St. Demetrios and we went to St. George where he had a good view by the circular path and follow the carriages with tourists. With all haste back to the harbor and found a boat at 16:00 for Kebatas (1:15). By tram to Aksaray where we ate and continued by Metro for Otogar. We got things and we continued with the metro to the airport where we arrived at 20:00. Our flight left Baku at 23:20 and we arrived at our destination at 3:40.

Friday 30/08/2013 : Baku - Quba - Xinaliq
Passed the check-in without any particular problem in Istanbul. We arrive in Baku airport and after a while arrive our friends from Athens ( Elias, Thanassis and Maria). The taxi driver with the van we had arranged Mrs. Evdokia ( official embassy in Baku ) was waiting for us and took us half an hour to the new bus station ( 35 euro ) Baku Avtogazol (5:30). One of the first bus will depart this was for Quba, a minibus with 30 seats. The bus filled up quickly and happily departed at 7:30 and at 9:30 we were in Quba. On the way we did not see anything after the fatigue was great and slept all the way ( ticket 4 AZN). Strolling in the city, we get two Lada Niva available to take us to 30 Manat each village Xinaliq. After we arranged the jeep did the shopping for all the days that we would stay in the village and on the mountain and at 12:00 we departed. The route was beautiful and passed by dense forests of beech and a towering canyon. Climbing altitude vegetation decreased and all I see was deserted alpine landscapes with a little green. In two hours we reached the village Xinaliq at 2150 meters altitude. There we found the Guest House of Rahman where we would stay for 20 Manat person with food. The guest house had two rooms with one bed while most of us will slept on the floor. The toilet was external was formula and whereafter low height and its use was the most difficult part of the entire trip. After proper rest discussed with Rahman who did not know a word of English but none in the entire village and informed us that it is impossible to go to Bazarduzu it needs special permission from Baku. We moved the path to control where there was a military standpoint and banned entry. We arrived to the camp, but to no avail. We returned back to the village frustrated by the fact that it was impossible to climb the mountain that we were planning. Studying the maps for the area I found the mountain that were above the village and we decided to try.

Saturday 31/8/2013: Xinaliq - Camp 2460M
We left the unnecessary things in the guest house at 10:30 and we departed to find a campsite above the village. Several higher we found a smooth green meadow ( 2460M ) where nearby descended a stream with little water. Thanasis Petros and me did an exploration toward west in order to bypass the guard and continue with the original target mountain Bazarduzu but some deep and steep ravines would make the effort very difficult because you had to carry all our own equipment. So we decided to try mountain Qizil Qaya 3726 meters. We returned to camp and in the afternoon we went to a small peak, east of the camp with 2632 meters altitude, to get a better picture of the mountain and plan the route and climb. The evening camp Maria had stomach problems and did not sleep at all.

Sunday 01/09/2013 : Camp 2460M - Qizil Qaya 3726m - Camp
At 6:15 departed together for the mountain, traversing the rocky slopes to the right. We found a smooth passage for the mountain ridge ( 3190m ). The ride was very smooth and was grazing lush pastures. Maria had headache and stomachache and walk very slowly. At an altitude of 3280 meters Maria stopped by Thanassis because he was very tired and was moving very slowly, so it would be impossible to reach the top. We continued quickly climb the east ridge of the mountain that was very smooth and wide. Passing a smooth side of the ground that looked plowed arrived at the foot of the peak approximately assumed that they were. Coming back in we saw that it was too far to the top. Finally at 13:00 we arrived at the top Qizil Qaya 3.726 meters was like a plateau with a small rocky peak where there were the metal point. At 14:00 we started the descent and at 16:45 we arrived in camp where we met Thanasis and Maria who had arrived earlier.

Monday 02/09/2013 : Camp 2460M - Qizil Qaya 3726m - Camp (2nd ascent )
At 5:35 departed together with Petros Thanassis and Maria for the second attempt after climbing the day before Maria was not well and did not arrive in the Thanassis the top. When we started it was dark and had too much moisture (fog ) and drizzle. This time we went straight up towards the rocks where we had spotted a shorter but steeper route. Originally found path up the middle of the side which is to continue to go right back traversing the slopes and making big circle. We decided to climb straight up the rocks to reduce the path and cycle path did. After some searching we found an easy path and we met back in the 3360 meters. Then traverses the eastern ridge of the mountain from the back side and made very smooth and gentle climb towards the top with the GPS driver after he was very foggy. We arrived very easily all together on top at 10:45 with the help of GPS, and stayed until 11:40 guarded behind the rocks. The top Qizil Qaya was covered with fog and only a few openings left to admire the mountains of the Caucasus. We returned back by the same route and at 14:15 we arrived at the camp. Giannis and Elias went to the village (Xinaliq) with a lot of food that they cooked and had a hearty dinner after the joy we all reached the top.

Tuesday 03/09/2013 : Camping - Xinaliq - Quba - Nabran ( Caspian )
Woke up at 8:00 and at 10:00 we left for the village. The weather was very clean and had very good visibility. After 40 minutes we reached the downhill Xinaliq and went to Rahman 's house to arrange the jeep for our return back to Quba. After you have prepared the backpacks and got a tea, at 13:40 we left for the city Quba with the car Lada Niva. Descending to the lower altitude the weather changed and we walked into the mist and moisture. At the canyon we stopped to have lunch and we pay for a small meal 100 Manat (very expensive). What we figured the next few days is that the portions were very small and the prices very high. Arriving in Quba rained a lot and it was impossible to look around the city. Such we found a minibus to move us to Nabram is a seaside resort in the Caspian. After 1:20 minute journey we arrived in the Caspian Sea ( 17:40 ). We found a hotel apartment for all of us which costs 70 AZN. After that we went straight to swim in Caspian had a great beach with fine black sand, and the water was black. The surface of the Caspian Sea is 28 meters below sea level. While we are swiming a thunderstorm starts, such we had to quickly return to the room.

Wednesday 04/09/2013: Nabran - Baku
At 10:00 we left by bus from Nabran. The vegetation in the area was very dense and seemed tropical but during the trip changed and became steppe when we are approaching Baku. We found a hotel apartment for 6 people (Old Gate Hotel) next to the old city walls. Baku city was very modern and spotless. We walk through the old city and the new city. We were impressed by the great contradiction that had the country. In the evening we met Costas and Evdokia ( embassy officials ) and we sat down for a drink and a chat on the beach.

Thursday 05/09/2013 Baku
As soon as I woke up Elias and Giannis had diarrhea. We had breakfast and hotel changed by going to Buyuk Gala (Horizon Hotel). Because it feels good remained in the city center. The afternoon we arrived to the train station going to the promenade and back from the northwest of the city. We ate at a local restaurant and in the evening we say goodbye to Elias, Thanassis and Maria who were leaving in the morning for Athens (2:30).

Friday 06/09/2013 Baku - Mountain of Fire (Yanar Dag) - The other side of Baku
After breakfast at the hotel Guyuk Gala we move our luggage back to Old Gate Hotel where we were staying the three of us now. The last stop of the Metro (Isari Sahar) located just outside the walls and next to the hotel. We took the metro to the station Koroglu (20q) and from there we took the bus 217 towards to the Mountain of Fire (Yanar Dag) (25q). In this route we saw many small oil pumps depth. The entrance to the Yanar Dag was 2 AZN. Fires 20 meters coming out of the soil but did not look very impressive ratio of daylight. We returned to the urban city and metro stations went Hezi Aslanov, Xalqlar Dostlugu and Genclik walked in areas around the stations in order to see the other side of Baku and not the showcase. In the afternoon we returned to the hotel for rest.

Saturday 07/09/2013 Baku - Istanbul - Xanthi
Petros and me walked the beach Baku westward for about an hour and returned to the hotel to get ready for the return. The beach of Baku is the most neat and clean beach I've ever visited is clearer even than European cities. The hotel employee took us to his own car to the airport for 25 AZN. We arrived very early at the airport was completely empty of people, but later began to gather people. Our flight went normally and arrived in eastern airport of Istanbul (Sabiha SAW) at 6:00 in the afternoon. Our luggage were arrived late, the bus to Taksim encountered traffic jam and we were almost immobilized. After a long run to Taksim Square finally we missed the bus to the Metro Otagar and went by taxi. After much stress we arrived 20 minutes before departure at Otogar and catch the bus to Xanthi ( 22:00 ). At dawn the next day we arrived in Xanthi.

	Dr. Nikolas Kroupis Electrical & Computer Eng. Elati, Trikala, Greece
	Giannis Psyrras Photografer Elati, Trikala
	Petros Tolias Oxia, Karditsa
	Elias Tsikas Economist Agchialos, Magnesia / Athens
	Thanasis Koletsios Machine operator Kotroni, Trikala / Chalkida
	Maria Roupakia Gymnast Chalkida

I thank Climbing Club of Komotini (EOS Komotinis) for supporting this trip

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