Ballıkayalar

Bryan setting up top rope on a VIII (~5.12)

We got together with some friends, and set off to go rock climbing in a canyon about an hour from Istanbul. We managed to pick the only day in months when the weather decided to feel wintry. During the drive there and the approach, it snowed. The rock was relatively dry enough to still climb, but you still had to go as quickly as you could because after only a few minutes your hands would be so cold you couldn't feel anything past the palms. We still had a good time!

Ralf, of Germany, on our snowy hike up to the rocks