1999 Mount Ararat Expedition Summary
by John McIntosh

NOAH'S ARK SUMMER-FALL RESEARCH UPDATE -- OCT 1999

Some have been wondering if anything was accomplished in the ark research this Summer/Fall. The following is a brief summary of some of what was accomplished.

THE MOUNTAIN:
The meltback this summer was the best in 70 years according to some of the local people that live around Ararat. The conditions on the mountain remained good from late August until early October.

PERMITS:
Word was received during late July/early August that some limited climbing was being permitted on Ararat . Later information was received that special military permission could be obtained for a south face climb for $2,000 per climber. Ark Research Project (ARP) received a unique and special permit to do research on all of the mountain but was unable to use it due to funding problems and the lateness of the season.

RESEARCHERS:
Researchers from the US, Italy, Canada and New Zealand were reported to have visited the Ararat area seeking permission to do research.

RESEARCH ON THE MOUNTAIN:
Reports have come in from various researchers of work that was done. Some researchers obtained special military permission, some climbed without permits.

STEPHENS, ANDERSON, CRAWFORD, PALEGO, TODD SITES AND GORGE:
Much of the ice cap was checked out and photographed under what has been reported to be extreme melt back conditions. The Crawford site, Stephens/lower Anderson site, upper Anderson site, Palego site , Bill Todd upper Red Gorge site and much of the Gorge (viewed from above on the ice cap, from the west wall and from the lower middle canyon area) was checked out visually .The Araxes Glacier and east Gorge wall were visually checked out. No significant structures were observed.

- John McIntosh October, 1999

B.J. NOTES:

A small group did investigate the Durupinar site (mainly for ruins above and around the site) earlier this year.

Given the comments and claims of a "great" meltback this expedition season and no obvious structures observed, this only strengthens the case for using remote sensing in the search for Noah's Ark. B.J. Corbin is now working with the ArcImaging research group called that is focusing on the remote sensing approach to searching for Noah's Ark.

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