Süphan Dagi

The ascent of the 4,058m/13,318ft summit of Süphan Dagi, a massive volcano, the fourth highest mountain in Turkey, takes two days and is best attempted between July and September. The approach from Adilcevaz (guide) is from the east via Aydinlar Köyü and Sekerpinari Yaylasi (half-way camp, 6-7 hours to the top). The huge main cone consists principally of andesite and obsidian. A lava plug, one kilometer in diameter rising steeply from the floor of the 1.5km/1mile wide caldera, forms the actual summit cone. Above 3,000m/9,800ft cirques, small glaciers and firn fields are encountered, especially in the caldera.