مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Frozen Waterfall-Cascade Climbing in Tortum Stream Basin (Erzurum- Artvin) and Its İmportance for Winter Tourism.

Abstract :

Ice climbing is an extreme winter sport. Ice climbing, which has been pretty new for now in our country, consists of two sub-branches one of which is alpine ice and the other water ice climbing. Frozen waterfalls and cascades have been within the scope of water ice climbing. With the purpose of adding an alternative value to the existing winter sports and diversifying the tourism sources of the region, climbing activities have been carried out on five natural ice walls among which there is one running waterfall (Uzunkavak) in the borders of Tortum Stream Basin (Erzurum-Artvin) and there are other non-permanent cascades (Sarıgelin, Şehitlersivrisi, Zehrek, Tevin). Having been started with the initiatives of ATAK Search and Rescue Youth Sports Foundation, this activity included mountaineers from various cities of Turkey. Entrepreneur businessmen serving for winter sports as well as local residents showed great interest in the climbing contests which were followed by national and local press members. In this study, characteristics of frozen waterfalls and cascades as well as climbing activities and tourism asset of the activity have been focused on. Ultimately, it has been understood that Erzurum has a great potential in terms of frozen waterfalls and cascade climbing and it can be a central place for ice climbing. Owing to the fact that this activity has been introduced on a national and international scale, it will be possible to attract the attention of crowds of people, who are in search of new destinations and recreational fields as an alternative for existing winter tourism resources, to Erzurum province.