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The
Hart 310 Fieldtrip to Işıkdağı
(23 and 24 March 2002)
The Surveying Class of the
Archaeology Department went to the mountains for some practical
work, a two-day orientation walk. A 20 km track was planned with different tasks for which
the use of GPS (Global Position Systems), compass and map
reading are skills that needs a lot of field practice.
With transport provided by Bilkent University we reached at
10.30 the village of Yukarıçanli, a place somewhere
between Kızılcahamam and Çerkeş.
Three groups started from separate locations and at different
times, so although on the same main track they appeared to be
alone in the field. In the early stages of the trip it started
to rain and as the groups climbed uphill it changed into wet
snow and near the planned rest-place it turned into real dry
snow.
The
three groups worked their way up a 200 meter elevation along the
muddy banks and over slippery stones of the Sazak, a stream in
this season filled with rain and meltwater. The second and third
group proceeded extremely slowly and the average speed was about
1 km per hour. Around 17.00 these groups, now wet, muddy and
cold, reached in snow drifts the rest place. After
reconsideration of the situation the rest-place became the
campsite and preparations for the night were made: wood was
collected, fires were lit in the few unlocked yayla
houses and some tents were pitched down in the snow. A handful
of students, clearly not used to
these basic conditions, started to use their mobile phones to
inform their parents about their situation and whereabouts.
However no rescue was possible and they stayed the night sitting
around the fireplace. Due to the weather conditions the second
part, the Sunday, of the fieldtrip was aborted, meaning that the
shortest and easiest return route was chosen. A three-hour walk
over forest roads with beautiful views on snow landscapes
followed.
The
muddy hillside near the waterfall
(photo: B. Claasz Coockson 2002)
In
the early afternoon everybody had returned to the teahouse in Yukarıçanlı
where the bus was waiting to bring them back to the Main Campus
of Bilkent University. At around 17.00 everyone returned to his
or her own regular standard of living!
B. Claasz Coockson
Jumping over stones
and water
(photo: B. Claasz Coockson
2002)
Some quotations from the student’s reports:
“The weather was rainy, windy and
quite cold at that time. At 12.42 we were at the place where
first photo was taken. The coordinates were 76.509-01.446.
The area was absent of pine trees and sided by small hills on
sides filled with trees. The situation was also clear on the
map. The contour lines on the sides formed small hills. While
searching the 2nd photo we got confused a bit and
skipped the area where the photo had been taken. After making a
circle in the area we reached the place where we should be.”
“….and the barometer reading from my watch showed us a
speedy decrease in the pressure. The signs for snow became
obvious. The group was becoming tired when we reached the
waterfall in the coordinates 77.230-01.460
(some people took some risks while passing from the thin muddy
ridge near the waterfall). The altitude of the waterfall was
1480 m above
sea-level. Although everyone became very tired no one
insisted on giving a break and at last under the heavy snow we
reached the Yayla…..”
Murat Akar
“When I saw the waterfall
I was really afraid because I realised the precipice. Evren
helped me. After I walked across the waterfall, I cried. Still I
can not believe how I crossed that horrible point”.
Nergis Kaya
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“The performance of my
group was very pleasing although I got into the water
many times in order to prevent them from sinking.”
“Also the behavior of the
people when the groups arrived at the house seemed a bit strange
to me. Everybody was shouting at each other when it was crowded
and insufficient for everyone. Everyone caring about nothing but
himself. I understand that they are not familiar with such
conditions but at critical times the anger does no good!”
Görken Pamuk
Surveying or survival course?
(photo:
B. Claasz Coockson 2002)
“As we climbed higher the rain turned into snow and I found
out that no matter how thickly or well dressed you are, you are
destined to get wet.”
“Fortunately there was a fireplace kept warm throughout the night. Tea and soup felt
great. I didn’t eat the Unifood, but rather my own sandwiches,
because I was too tired to prepare it. I brought back most of
the food”.
İdil Ergün
“….this trip
was very beneficial and a good experience for the ones that have
adapted themselves for pure, good city conditions. Life is not
always like we want it to be.”
Görken Pamuk
“But if I decided to go on this
kind of stuff again I would not put such a stupid things in my
backpack and always share my tent with someone else. Because
carry all this kind of stuff in one backpack makes it a little
bit heavy, but if you want extra muscles on your body it’s a
good way.....”
Ece
Akçeol
“ we crossed this stream many
times. In our group the first person who fell in this stream was
me. In spite of this I didn’t complain. But Aytü l was complaining because she could
not carry her bag and this trip started to be more difficult and
harder for her…..”
Selin Kartal
“It was my first
experience and I am sure that I will not join such an adventure
like this again. Having such a great experience I will never
forget this memory of mine!!!”
Nergis Kaya
Newsletter No. 1
- 2002, Pg. 22, 23
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