We had already seen Hasan Mountain, majestically towering over the southern part of Cappadocia and not far from the Taurus Mountains, from a distance for a few days. This inactive volcano last erupted around 10,000 years ago, covering the region in dust and ash. Over time, this ash turned into tuff, and erosion over thousands of years has formed the unique Cappadocian landscape. Thus, Hasan Dağı has shaped not only the region’s landscape, but also its culture.
So I decide to climb this colossus and set off early in the morning. If I want to reach the summit, I have to climb 1,300 meters. The hike is definitely the most strenuous I have ever done. What’s more, it’s now the end of May and there is still snow in places, which makes the ascent even more difficult. After 1,000 meters in altitude of hiking, balancing on snow, climbing, and scrambling, the mountain finally defeats me. At an absolutely magnificent viewpoint at an altitude of 3,000 meters, I decide to start my descent. I still had 300 extremely steep meters in altitude to go. Besides, I know that I am the only one on the mountain and have already used a lot of energy to overcome the snowfields.
When I return to the camper after six hours of wandering and am greeted by Svenja and an ecstatic Apollo, I am only slightly disappointed that I did not reach the summit. I broke the 3,000-meter mark for the first time and, a few weeks later and with a little more preparation, I might have managed the remaining 300 meters. Besides, you always need a reason to come back. As we drive a little further into the valley in the evening to find a spot that is more sheltered by trees, I realize that Hasan Dağı now seems all the more imposing.