The journey continues to East Java! After exploring Jakarta and Yogyakarta, I head to Mount Ijen to see one of nature’s rarest sights: the electric-blue fire. This vlog covers the nighttime trek, the breathtaking crater lake, and the incredible stories of the miners working in these extreme conditions.
Next stop: Yogyakarta! Discover the architectural wonders of Borobudur and Prambanan, followed by an escape into the wild forests of Bali. Part 2 of my Indonesia vlog is all about ancient history, breathtaking nature, and the heartwarming local culture.
Stepping into a world 9,000 kilometers away! My Indonesian adventure begins in the vibrant capital, Jakarta. In this first part of my travel series, I explore the contrast between modern skyscrapers and traditional culture, sharing my first impressions of this smiling nation’s heart.
Here is a list of all my mountaineering and climbing gear. I’ve also included detailed explanations and personal experiences in case they might help those doing research online before making a purchase. Feel free to leave your questions or requests for more details in the comments.
“She fell, she fell!” people are shouting. When the drifting stops, no one moves from their spot… But everyone is talking. No one has the courage to go to the edge of the precipice to check. We’re afraid of another break and falling down. This must be what they call the thin line between life and death. We were always walking on that line, but now we’ve stepped outside of it. God, are they still up there, or have they fallen to the bottom of the cliff?
I took part in the 19th Ölüdeniz Air Games Festival for the first time. More than 900 pilots from over 50 countries gathered at Babadağ, where around 2,000 flights were made daily.
Flying alongside so many pilots while watching breathtaking performances such as Base Jumping, skydiving, wingsuit flights, and acrobatic shows was an incredibly exciting experience.
Plaza’s gray corridors where we breathe the same air with 3500 people. It’s almost impossible to know everyone. Every new acquaintance opens the door to a new world. My method for getting to know people is quite simple: I ask them about their dreams and their relationship with sports. Because dreams become a unique fuel that spreads and inspires when shared.
Who’s afraid of wandering alone in nature! Back in the day, we used to break branches or tie pieces of cloth to trees to avoid getting lost in the forest. But technology has changed everything. In this video, I talk about navigation techniques in the wild and introduce my Suunto GPS watch. There are many GPS watches on the market, but the real competition is between two big brands: Suunto and Garmin. I chose Suunto.
To increase that “spin” effect that determines the fate of the game, I made an update to my racket. We handled applying the new rubber ourselves, and I shared the excitement of the process and the materials I used with you below…
I really missed Aladağlar. Reuniting with its majestic mountain ranges felt like meeting an old friend again. I even missed Mehmet Abi’s bumpy and uncomfortable tractor ride. Although, after the exhaustion on the way back, that tractor starts feeling like a limousine. I saw a group who brought a drone with them. While returning with the tractor, they were recording footage with the drone following above us.
In mountaineering movies, there’s always that scene where the hero slips, catches a ledge at the last second, and dodges falling rocks just in time. Erciyes offers that exact cinematic thrill. If they ever made a Turkish version of the movie Everest, this mountain would be the perfect setting. Known for its unpredictable nature and high-stakes challenges, Erciyes made me feel like I was stepping right into a movie scene at every turn. Here is the diary of a climb where reality felt like Hollywood.
The campsite of Dedegöl Mountain in Isparta offers a stunning view and is a truly beautiful location. It is an excellent spot for university mountaineering clubs. It serves as a perfect training and introductory ground for beginners. Since I recommended this mountain to those new to mountaineering, I would like to give an important piece of advice: Over the years, I have observed that many people around me have experienced problems with their kneecaps and surrounding areas.
Rising like a giant in Central Anatolia, Mount Hasan (3268m) is a perfect winter climbing destination. In this post, I share our full ascent via the challenging Yılankar Route — from a midnight start under a full moon to the volcanic summit — along with technical details and valuable lessons.
After years of climbing mountain trails and reaching summits, one day I asked myself: “What if I could look down from between the clouds?” I found the answer in paragliding. In this article, I share with complete sincerity my training from scratch, the mixed excitement, fear, and freedom I felt during my first flight.
Today, I participated in the half marathon on the historical peninsula. There were two separate categories: 10 km and 21 km. The race started from Yenikapı Meeting Area. The 10 km runners turned back from Sirkeci, while the 21 km runners turned back from Balat. Both followed the same route in the opposite direction and finished at the starting point in Yenikapı.
This mountain has another story involving the wind. In 1959, a British plane crashed right at the summit of Mount Süphan. Back then, since planes didn’t have pressurized cabins, they couldn’t fly at very high altitudes. When the instruments froze due to the cold, the plane veered off course in the wind, and the pilots, unable to see through the cloudy weather, crashed into the mountain’s summit. Afterward, the British formed a rescue team.
It was a weekend afternoon when I arranged to meet my colleague Hakan in front of that famous, massive sports store that everyone knows by heart. As usual, I arrived right on time. When I called Hakan, he said, “I’ll be there in ten minutes, mate.” I hung up and started waiting among the crowd at the store entrance.
When I heard that Sönmez was planning a winter ascent of the northern route on Mount Ararat, I said without hesitation that I’d join him. The northern route is a challenging one with dangerous crevasses. When I came in the summer, I had climbed the classic route. What’s more, the horses had carried our backpacks up the mountain. We had stayed at the camp where Nuh Ararat had set up the kitchen and hired a cook…
A thrilling weekend climbing Gelincikana Summit (2675m) in Afyonkarahisar’s impressive Sultan Mountains with Koç University Mountaineering Club.
From rockfalls and free solo sections to tractor transfers, forgotten headlamps, and warm village hospitality — this trip was full of challenges, laughter, and valuable lessons.
We shared stories around the campfire, tasted famous Afyon clotted cream, and discovered the touching local legend behind the mountain’s name.
A real mountain adventure filled with friendship, self-discovery, and unforgettable memories. ⛰️
From the steep cliffs of Ballıkayalar to a refreshing dip in the valley lake—this was my Republic Day adventure. Explore the highs and lows of a full day of rock climbing, featuring technical lessons, great company, and why I’ll always choose cats over dogs!
I suggest we swap bikes. I have a mountain bike, after all. The tires are thick and knobby. They really grip the pavement. Hakan’s city bike, on the other hand, has thin tires that just slide along the asphalt.
The people of Van call Lake Van “the sea.” It is said that the lake water is good for skin diseases. If scientific evidence is provided, health tourism could develop here. Because the water is soda and salty, only one endemic fish species (the pearl mullet) can survive in it. Swimming in this wave-free lake is enjoyable, but when I got out, I felt as if I had an oily film on my skin and wanted to take a shower with fresh water. One needs to get used to the soda water.
