Turkish traveler consumes only water in 11-day tough hiking

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL (AA) - A Turkish traveler, Muammer Yilmaz, made a breakthrough, completing over a 100-mile Tour du Mont-Blanc hiking in Europe without any food supplement.

"In our latest trip, our adventure was the Tour de Mont Blanc, so I walked around the highest mountain in Europe. It was a very beautiful hiking but it was a bit tough," Yilmaz told Anadolu Agency.

The 46-year-old said he climbed and walked down 162 kilometers (approx. 100 miles) with an altitude change of 10,000 meters (32,808 feet) in total, and 1,000 meters per day.

"It was not easy. I walked in the mountains without a backpack, but had specially designed sandals. I observed water fasting (during the hiking), consumed mountain water, and walked in the fresh air," Yilmaz added.

Yilmaz, who was born in France's Colmar near Alsace, was equipped with his outfit, sandals, and his water bottle during his 11-day hiking at the Mont-Blanc massif.

He also had a raincoat and a mini sleeping bag as these items were in his pocket.

"It was amazing to walk on this incredible landscape, drink water from its source and inhale fresh mountain air," Yilmaz said.

Yilmaz said he wept for joy for accomplishing it and happiness once he completed the track.

"11 days mean 33 meals. But I did not eat them, there was not even a snack. I did not eat a hazelnut," the Turkish traveler said, adding that he was lacking energy while hiking in the mountains.

Yilmaz said he could complete the tour because he did not have his backpack. "If I have had a few extra kilos on me, I could not succeed."

He said he does not recommend this tour due to its challenges.

"The landscape of the journey, the mountains, and the air were good, but it was tough sometimes.

"I understand why no one has tried this before, and I do not recommend it. It is very difficult while fasting," Yilmaz noted, saying his goal was to encourage people to walk at least 30 minutes per day.

Yilmaz said he was not alone in his 11-day hiking, as Milan Bihlmann, a film director and a friend of Yilmaz for years, accompanied him.

They took the road in the mountains to film their Tour du Mont Blanc journey.

He added that they are preparing the documentary, expected to be completed by Jan. 25, 2023, which includes their hiking experience.