Celikbuyduran Pass & a Helicopter Rescue

In the morning we discovered that Dayle had fallen very ill during the night. In fact she was so ill that there was no way she would be able to complete the demanding climb back down out of the mountains. She would have to be evacuated.

The guide climbed a nearby hill to get satellite phone reception and requested a helicopter evacuation. While this was happening a team of mules arrived to transport our gear back down the mountain.

After the luggage was loaded, we started our day's trek and climb up to the Celikbuyduran Pass. From the Pass we started to descent down to the Sokulupinar Camp Side.

A short while after starting our walk we could hear the helicopter approaching. It hovered and moved from one side of the plateau to the other. We wondered what was happening. It was only later we learnt that the first helicopter could not find a safe landing location and returned to base.

Some time later a much larger military helicopter appeared to complete the evacuation. Dayle and her husband were quickly taken on board and the helicopter quickly left the region.

By now our team was even more diminished. After crossing the Pass, we started the perilous descent on rough, loose stones. The incline was extreme and it would have been very easy to end up slipping down the mountainside.

We continued the descent for another 5 hours until we reached the Sokulupinar Camp. A cup of Tea was awaiting our arrival. We spent the Night at the Sokulupinar Camp. It had been another exhaustive and eventful day.Read more