08.01.2026 21:20
Turkish climbers ascending the Kaçkar Mountains along the Eastern Black Sea coast discovered a note left in a tin can by Italian climbers who came to the region in 1972. The note indicated that the names of the Italian climbers were written on it.
The President of the CAMADAN Mountaineering and Winter Sports Specialization Club, Metin Çolak, along with members Hakan Demirci, Adem Şahin, Musa Kesimal, and Ercüment Gümüş, conducted a climbing event in the Kaçkar Mountains approximately 1.5 months ago.
THE 54-YEAR-OLD NOTE WAS FOUND IN A TIN CAN
The climbers noticed a structure resembling a chimney, referred to as the 'summit father,' which is generally built by climbers to indicate their presence.
Upon seeing a tin can with stones on it, the climbers encountered a note wrapped in a bag inside that read, "20-8-72, Spedizione CAI Pordenone Italy, Quota 3510, Enzo Laconca, Giovanni Martin."
THEY RESEARCHED THE NAMES
The group, which conducted research regarding the note containing date, address, and name information, learned that the climbers were members of the Club Alpino Italiano.
Reaching out to the mountaineering club through social media, Club President Metin Çolak and the members discovered that the note belonged to climbers Alleris Pizzur, Sisto Degan, Enzo Laconca, Gianni Martin, and Ezio Migotto, who came to the region in 1972 and were aged between 23 and 32.
"WE FOUND IT UPSIDE DOWN"
Metin Çolak stated that the area they climbed is not very well known. He expressed their surprise at finding that Italian climbers had been in the same place 54 years ago, saying, "We have a mountain called Atalanı, which is 3,428 meters high. It is an independent summit right in the middle of the Kaçkars, with a wonderful location. We conducted activities here with 5 athlete friends from our club. When we reach the summit, we say 'summit father.' When we opened it, we found a tin can turned upside down. When we opened it, a note came out. The note had the names of the Italian climbers written on it along with a date from 1972." he said.
"WE WERE NOT ALIVE WHEN THE NOTE WAS LEFT THERE"
Çolak expressed their excitement after finding the note, stating, "At that moment, the concept of time seemed to disappear. It was as if they were there before us. However, none of us, the 5 friends who went there that day, were alive when this note was left there; it’s an incredible thing."
Çolak mentioned that the Eastern Black Sea region is very suitable for mountaineering activities and continued, "Our Italian friends climbed here 54 years ago. In our research, we found out that a Czechoslovak team climbed here in 1969 before them. It’s a wonderful feeling. Having other climbers come before you and write this note to you is like a letter written to the future. We are keeping this can and note. As a club, we have a dream of establishing a mountaineering museum in the Eastern Black Sea. If possible, we will exhibit this note and can there."
Club member Hakan Demirci also stated that they contacted the mountaineering club through social media after finding the note.
"WE HAVE A GOOD COMMUNICATION"
Demirci expressed that they were surprised when they explained the situation to them, stating, "We sent the photos of the note and the jar to their email addresses. About 2-3 weeks later, we received a response. We communicated with their social media managers. They said it was very important and that they wanted to report it. They asked us about our thoughts and feelings. They also reached out to one of the people who went there and made a news report. In this sense, we realized it was very meaningful for us. Their approach was also nice. Right now, we have good communication."
Demirci mentioned that they plan to establish a mountaineering museum in the region and that they want to exhibit the can and note there, stating, "If a museum is established regarding this, they have communicated that they would like to come to the opening as the owners of this piece. Besides that, if there are people who want to come here and climb during those years, we will contact them." he stated.