Photographer: Tom Lindner Tobias Haug in “Olympos Games” 10 in Geyikbayiri

Perfect rock and pleasant temperatures one can not only find in Kalymnos. Jost Hьttenhain presents the climbing possibilities and his camp in Turkey.

Climbing

Near Antalya the largest climbing area in Turkey can be found at Geyikbayiri and other smaller ones along the sea front for example Akyarlar. Bouldering is possible at the sea spots, in Geyikbayiri or in the bouldering area Feslekan Yaila. These untouched mountainous regions with ocean views, the nice Turkish climbing scene, combined with the Turkish culture and their hospitality creates an incredibly unique atmosphere.

Geyikbayiri

The main climbing spot: Geyikbairi (translated: doe/female deer ground), is taken from the name of a nearby village of the same name, which is just around the corner of the campsite, and can be reached, depending on the sectors, by a 1 to 10 minute walk.

Photographer: Jцrg Zeidelhack Stefan in „Back on Funky Planet“ 9- in Geyikbayiri

Geyikbairi is a relatively young climbing area and was discovered by Öztürk Kayikci in 2000. Öztürk, as well as many local and foreign route-openers have developed an incredible climbing region.

At the moment almost 300 routes exist of various difficulties and grades (UIAA 4 to 10). Routes up to 5- grades are relatively few, between 5- and 6+ there are around 50 routes. Main difficulties are between UIAA 7 to 9.

The more difficult grades are dominated by overhanging colonettes, while the routes up to 6c grades are dominated by vertical walls with pockets and edges. Geyikbairi is an all year round climbing region, and above all, a really great off-season region when you want to escape the winters at home. Detailed and well-put together guides exist and are available from well-stocked climbing shops, via internet e.g. https://www.ssl-id.de/klettern-shop.de/pd-2036943241.htm?categoryId=7 and on site. In the guide, written by Цztьrk Kayikci and Zuleyha Geels also the climbing spot of Akyarlar is described.

Photographer: Hermann Erber One of the blocks directly at the JoSiTo camp in Geyikbayiri

“Wild drilling” is strictly prohibited. Please get in touch with the local Mountain Sports Organisation TODOSK if you are planning on opening new routes. Further information is available at our campsite.

Akyarlar

Akyarlar is 25 minutes from the campsite and is situated directly on the sea front. It is a relatively small (around 20 routes) but nice climbing area situated in a beautiful bay. The rather steep rocky footpath down to the bay frightens most ‘John Q. Publics’, which means you normally have the whole bay for yourself. In summer it is the perfect place to climb, boulder, bathe and to hang out. With the first moves you are faced with boulder problems on rocks washed smooth and rounded by the sea, after that you’ll find climbing on vertical walls.

Feslekan-Yayla

Feslekan Yayla(engl.=alp) lies at about 2000m above sea level. The bouldering area is surrounded by mountain pastures and, even in summer, snow covered summits. The air is fresh and clear. Thousands of blocks, some knobby mountain pines and small cosy alp huts make this area unique. The rock is compact and not to sharp, the gneiss-limestone mix resembles with his edges, cracks and clear forms granite rock.

Photographer: Hermann Erber Stefan Kieninger in „Affenschaukel“ 9-

There are boulders of all difficulties and variations. Can be reached from the JoSiTo-Camp either by car (30 min), or by mountain bike.(time depending on your stamina...).

Weather

Geyikbairi is an all-year-round climbing area.

The best times are from mid-February until June and then again from September until December.

In summer many of the overhanging South-Sections are shadowed during midday. Though there are enough routes with other shadow possibilities for example on the North Walls or the Canyon Sector. In Akyarlar one often has a cool sea breeze in the summer afternoons. With the various heights and climatic differences of the region, there is always the possibility to climb in comfortable and optimal temperatures at any time of the year.

JoSiTo Guesthouse and Camp

The JoSiTo-camp is situated directly in the climbing area Geyikbairi in the Taurus Mountains near Antalya. The crags are 1 to 10 minutes by foot.

From climbers – for climbers is more than just a phrase. It is the leitmotiv and the concept behind this camp.

JoSiTo stems from the names of the three partners/founders: Jost, Siri, and Tobias.

Due to the fact, that we ourselves have travelled and climbed in diverse areas around the world gaining experience, we as the JoSiTo Camp can focus specifically on the climbers’ and mountain bikers’ needs.

• Individuality and comfortablity
• Everything is ecologically built out of wood and stones from the area.
• Various accommodations from simple summer huts to large fully equipped, bungalows with own bathrooms (from 20 to 40 Euro per night / bungalow).
• Hot water for the showers heated from solar energy

Photographer: Hermann Erber Gerda Rafetzeder in „Gizmo“ 9 in Geyikbairi

We offer climbers with smaller budgets and/or camping-freaks the opportunity of camping on beautiful, charming spots on our grounds for extremely reasonable rates (3 Euro per night / person) or to take a bed in our dormitory for 6 Euro per person / bed.

With hot showers and clean sanitary facilities we offer the comfort needed to really enjoy your stay in the JoSiTo Camp.

As the morning dusks you can start your day on our sun terraces with a real Italian Espresso, Cappuccino or Latte Macchiato and a breakfast of muesli with fresh fruit or “Panini”.

There are nice Turkish restaurants in the area for dinner. If you would like a change from the traditional Turkish (really delicious) cooking, we serve fresh, healthy, mediterranean food for dinner.

Campers can buy vegetables, fruits and bread in the camp (order 1 day in advance) or in the small village of Geyikbairi. Gas cooker/gas lamps can be rented in the camp. (as gas is not allowed to be brought by plane).

Photographer: Hermann Erber Kilian Fischhuber in „Dropzone“ 8+ in Geyikbairi

Car rental:

If you want to rent a car, the local car rental station ANTE (Tel: (0090)5435633203) gives special discounts to climbers and brings the cars to the camp or to the airport (depending on the season and the model 15-25 Euro/day).

Mountain biking

The Mountains rise directly from sea level to a height of almost 3000 metres, offering you routes through various vegetation and climatic regions. There are few asphalt roads in the mountains thus allowing you an indefinite number of tours and trails of various difficulties. At the moment a guidebook is being put together with the most worthwhile routes.

Skiing/Ski tours

From the middle of January to the end of May the mountains over 1500m are taken over by winter weather with snow often over several metres. Occasionally in April and May you can go skiing and swimming on the same day. Further information about snow conditions and tours can be found in local guides.

Half an hour from Geyikbayiri you can find the ski town of Saklikent where you can enjoy the luxury of ski lifts.

Photographer: Jцrg Zeidelhack Lu in „Kaptain Kirk“ 8- in Geyikbairi

Culture and Sightseeing

Due to Turkeys amazing history, there are many archaeological excursions available in the surrounding areas. To experience an overview of Turkeys’ worthiest destinations, tours can be found in local travel-guides. For individual excursions and interests, we can arrange a tour with an experienced English speaking tour guide (who has been living in Turkey for 15 years).

Further Information:

EC citizens don’t need a visa to travel to turkey. With a tourist visa you can stay up to 3 month in the country.

Money: In Antalya you find a lot cash points and change offices.

ATTENTION: Don’t change directly in the airport, it is expensive!!! In our camp we except Turkish Lira as well as Euro.

Webtip:

You can find additional information and climbing pictures on our website http://www.climbingcamp-antalya.com/

Information about other climbing areas in turkey:
http://www.climbturkey.com/