Mt Damavand

Mt Damavand is the most prominent feature of Iran looming majestically near the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, it has a narrow summit with permanent snowcap, it is surrounded by many beautiful peaks and ridges, in a clear weather the mountain is visible far from over 250 km away, below the crater there are few glaciers such as Yakhar, Sioleh and Dobi Sel, it is located 80 km south east of capital, midway Haraz main Road between Tehran and Amol city and in the middle of Alborz mountain range, in Mazandaran province, Iran.



Quick Facts
Attitude of 5671m, 18624 ft
Highest peak in Persian Plateau and Middle East
Highest dormant stratovolcano in Asia
Second highest volcano in the northen hemisphere....

Acclimatization

Mount Damavand ranks alongside Kilimanjaro in terms of toughness, ascent to the summit is technically easy but physically a challenging hike, the main challenge of climbing is acclimatization and the fact that the air gets thinner with less oxygen as you gain altitude, so in order to increases you chance of success and decrease the risk of AMS and enjoy a safe hike to the summit, it is essential to be acclimatized to high altitude....

Accommodation

Useful info for accommodation south route
Camp1 Polour Hut or lodge
This new complex sport center belongs to Iran Mountain Federation and it has a hostel which looks like a comfortable hotel located in Polour village. there are few private rooms and some shared rooms with bunk beds (two beds, one above the other, 2 stage beds), toilet, hot water, shower, kitchen and cooking equipments....

Camp 1 Polour

South Route Camp 1 - Polour
Altitude: 2270 m
Latitude: 35 - 50 - 50 N
Longitude: 52 - 03 - 36 E
Distance from Tehran 80 Km ( From IKA Airport 133 Km )
Distance to Camp 2 - Base Camp 17.7 Km (6.4 Km gravel road) 1 hour by car ....

Camp 1 Reineh

South Route Camp 1 - Reineh
Altitude : 2078 m
Latitude : 35 - 52 - 58 N
Longitude: 52 - 09 - 58 E
Distance from Tehran 100 Km, 2.5 hours by car
Distance to Camp 2 - Base Camp 1 hour by car (6.4 Km gravel road)....

Camp 2 Base

South Route Camp 2 Base
Altitude 3040 m
Latitude 35 - 54 - 10 N
Longitude 52 - 06 - 34 E
Distance from Camp 1 - Polour 1 hour by car (6.4 Km gravel road)
Ascent to Camp 3 - Bargah Sevom 4.7 Km, 3-5 hours
Descent from Camp 3 - Bargah Sevom 4.7 Km, 2 -3 hours....

Camp 3 Bargah Sevom

South Route Camp 3 Bargah Sevom
Altitude 4220 m
Latitude 35 - 55 - 54 N
Longitude 52 - 06 - 30 E
Distance from Camp 2 - Base Camp 4.7 Km, 3-5 hours
Ascent to summit 3.3 Km, 5-7 hours
Descent from summit 3.3 Km, 2- 4 hours....

Camp 3 New Hut

South Route Camp 3 New Hut
This hut is constructed at 4250 mterers above sea level, about 100 meters above the old shelter/refuge and it is one of the highest huts in the word, although it is not quite complete yet ( 22 june 2009 ), but it has has started to give services to Damavand climbers.
It is the best place for acclimatization and accommodation in Mt Damavand south route, it is a comfortable hostel and safe place in case of any bad weather, this new hut or lodge is made by Iran Mountain Federation. It is scheduled to be open in climbing season only and not through the entire year, so it is recommended to get the latest news in advance and book a place before your travel to Iran.


Facilities and advantages:
- A safe haven in case of emergency and bad weather
- There are private and shared rooms with bunk beds
- 4 private rooms
- One big shared saloon with bunk beds
- kitchen and cooking equipments....

Climate

Generally speaking Mt Damavand has only two seasons, summer and winter, the spring and autumn are too short and of minor significance, it is necessary to know the general Weather conditions in the area before your climb. Regardless of the season, you need a good weather for a successful ascend, allways reserve a day in your itinerary for bad weather....

Common Mistakes

Some common mistakes may cause new climbers or even experinced climbers to be unsuccessful in Mt Damavand climbing, by avoiding these mistakes you can increase your chance of ascend to the summit.

1- Climbing at night
Do not climb at night, use the day light only, best starting time from camp 3 to the summit is 5 to 6 am. There is a wrong believe that suggest you to start your climbing from camp3 ( Bargahe Sevom camp ) towards the summit at night because of less sulfuric gas , but we strongly advise you never start at night even if you see some climbers do so .....

Caves Poul e Moon

At the foot of the Mountain near Poul e Moon junction( GPS Landmark No3) on Haraz Road to Reyneh Town , in Mazandaran Province, Iran, there are many beautiful natural and man made caves , which look like caves of the prehistoric period used by man and have been changed to a better haven later after tool invention , most of these caves are in a huge wall and connected together by vertical and horizontal tunnels, it is easy to ascend to the the lower ones, but it is almost impossible to reach the upper ones wihtout technical equipments and high degree of rock climbing skill, it could have been used as stronghold palce against any enemy....

Difficulty

Difficulty and Climbing Grade
The difficulty and toughness of Mt Damavand 5671 m in Iran is almost the same as Mt Kilimanjaro 5892 m in Tanzania and Mt Everest Base Camp 5380 m in the Himalayan Mountain Range.
It is well-known for its mild slops, climb to the summit is technically easy but physically moderate and climbers should be fit enough to try it, the major challenge of the ascend is acclimatization and the weather.

South Route
Route type: Basic mountaineering
Difficulty: Moderate walk-up, easy descend....

Difficulty: F, YDS class 2 (and sulphur gas above 5400 m)
UIAA: II
USA: 5.3
Australia: 11
France: 2....

Equipment

Gearand Equipment
To enjoy a safe climb to the summit of Mt Damavand, it is essential to bring the proper mountain gear. Some of the most important things to bring are:
- Trekking shoes and Socks.
- Sleeping bag, mattress, tent.
- Jacket and pants (Gore-Tex or Synthetic rain/snow/wind).
- Main backpack plus a small attacking backpack.
- Gloves (Polar or Wool with liner).
- Hat, warm pile/wool hat (should cover ears), balaclava, baseball cap, scarf.
- Sun glasses with Side Covers 100% UV, IR.
- Headlamp.
- Personal first aid kit....

Facts And Figures

Over All Measurements Base camp to Summit
- Average ascend time 10 h
- Average climb speed 800 m/h
- Trail path distance 8000 meters

- Avarage slope angle 26.76 deg
- Max slope angle 39 deg ( from 4910 m t0 4973 m )
- Min slope angle 11.5 deg ( from 3095 m to 3115 m )....

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
Befor asking a question please try to find your answer here , if you could not find a suitable answer then feel free to ask .

Q- how many days are required to climb ?
A- In summer 2 days climb is usually enough , but in other season you need more days.

Q- which month you recommend, I would rather not very hot climb and getting to the snow if it is safe..
A- Best climbing time 10 june to 10 August . Even in the peak of summer....

Glacier

The most important glaciers are:
East and North East Face Glaciers
- In the massive Valley of Yakhar in the eastern side there is giant glacier called Yakhar Glaciers which is the most famous and the largest glacier, it starts from about 3500 meters high to just below the summit, it has been climbed many times in summer but noon in the winter yet, this glacer is the main soure of Talkhrood River.
- Arosakha and Chalchal Glacier , are two other ones that can be mentioned .....

Google Earth

Virtual trip by Google Earth
It is very useful to have a virtual trip d by Google Earth before you really start climbing the mountain , it gives you a lot of ideas and answers some of your questions. All you need is Google Earth software installed on your PC and these placemark files which you can.....

GPS Landmarks

South face GPS measurments, track waypoints and landmarks,
If you intend to climb Mt Damavand, the safest, the best , and the quickest way form Tehran is:
Tehran -> Polour Camp -> Base Camp -> Bargah Camp -> Summit.
and fallow the same way back for your return. if you have enough time and energy left ! visit also this interesting place, Icefall 5100 M ....

How to Climb

How To Climb from South Route
Two Days Climb to the summit in detail .

Day 1
How to reach the mountain?
Go by car or bus to Camp1- Polour
Tehran > Haraz Road > Polour > Polour Camp . ( approx 2 Hours )
If you travel from Tehran, Polour is much shorter and better way for you. This is a new established complex camp belongs to Iranian Mountain Climbing Federation....

Information

Altitude: 5,671 m - 18,605 ft.
Latitude: 35° 57' 19" N
Longitude: 52° 06' 36" E
Best Climbing Time: 10 June To 20 August

Best Source of Info: Mt Damavand Info Center and Mount Damavand Guide .
Best Climbing Side: South Route

Best Itinerary: 3 days programme
Best Start point: Polour Camp

Location: central Alborz Mountain Range Iran, 80 Km North- East of Tehran
Nearest International Airport: Mehrabad and IKA Airport Teheran, Iran....

Itinerary

These itineraries are mainly based on requests, you can make alteration and modification to a package to suit your programme, ie you may add one extra day to any package and reserve it for bad weather or team being tired to go down in time, but if you could make the trip shorter you can spend the saved time in Larijan thermal spring . Let us know the exact logistic and support you need so we can give you the best services with our best guides .

Three days Itinerary
It is recommended for every climber .

Day 1 - Starting Day
Drive by car from Tehran at 5 AM to camp1 Polour camp , change the car at camp1 and by a 4WD car drive to Camp2 – Base camp , by 4 to 5 hours trekking to Camp 3 - Bargah Sevom , over night in camp3 new hut.

Day 2 - Summit day
Start climbing at 5 AM towards summit , return back to camp3, rest second nigh in camp3 new hut.

Day 3 - Return day
Return back to camp2 and then drive to camp1 and Tehran ....

Maps

Maps and Signs
In this topic you will find helpful and interesting road and route maps, signs and images, these maps shows you all the ways and footpaths, from Tehran to starting points, camps and to the summit, you will learn how to go to the summit of Iran by your own....

MDG International

MDG International
Summary of MDG in 20 different Native Languages
فارسی , České , Dansk , Deutsch , Dutch , English , English Weblog , English Website , Español , Français Hrvatski , MDG international , Italiano , Norsk , Polski , Português , Română , Suomi , Svenska , ελληνικά , български, России , العربية.....

Mythology

Mt Damavand plays a special part in Persian legend, mythology, folklore and national epic of Iran. Ferdowsi Tousi, the great Iranian poet 1000AD , tells in his epic “ Shahnama ” that the tyrant Zohak is overthrown by Feridun and imprisoned in chains to die in a cave.
The mountain is mentioned in many Iranian legends, one says that it is the resting place of Noah’s ark.
Tirgan feast is the day that heroic Iranian archer Arash put his life on an arrow and threw it by a bow from the top of Iran's highest peak to demarcate Iran's border with Turan.
(archer and archery comes from Iranian hero name Arash) ....

Nature

With beautiful landscapes specially in spring is one of the unique volcanic mountains in the world with special funa, distinct species such as tulipa, iris flora and plant communities, and about 2000 plant and numerous important endemic species, also fruit orchards on slopes.

There are Many natural beauty and attractive sight-seeing in the region such as, Abe Ask and Gol e Zard Caves, Larijan thermal spring, Vararoo with 8 meters of snow fall in winter, Lar Lake and Lar Dam.....

News

Latest news
Permit Fee in 2009 - 1 April 2009
Permit Fee is still 50 USD and there has been no reduction in the price.

Snow Conditions 15 March 2009
There has been little snow fall this year around Mt Damavand and Lasem so far compared with the last year , so if you intend to ski , keep in mind that you may face little snow....

Photo Gallery

Recently we have added a numerous number of photos to MDIC photo gallery album , a part from that we have added different albums in different categories.
Please wait few seconds for the slide show to load MDIC gallery....

Routes

Mt Damavand has 16 routes , 4 of these routes,south, north-east, east and west are popular, each with a shelter at about 4000m . The north face has an extra shelter at 5000m , the most popular side is the south face, most climber start their ascent to the summit from south....

Services

Services for Your Tour
We offer and supply you these services for Iran mountain, ecosystem and cultural tours.

Welcome
- We welcom you at airport by English/Deutsch speaking guide.

Tour Guides
High skilled experienced English speaking guide for tour packages:
- Mount Damavand hiking trekking and climbing tours.
- Mount Damavand winter climb and ski mountaineering.
- Iranian mountains, nature and ecosystem tour.
- Iran Cultural travel tour.....

Ski Mountaineering

Mt Damavand is a popular climbing mountain and is rapidly gaining popularity with ski mountaineers in recent years, mainly due to its height 5671m and easy accessibility from Tehran. It has mild skiable slopes for descents up to 3000m downhill skiing , it is surly one of the world's finest ski mountaineering places.

Due to vicinity of Caspian Sea, there is a heavy winter snow falls in its snow field, south route is the best route for ski, it is not technical and has a mild slope for climbing up to the 5000m and after that it gets a little steeper, the skinning is more difficult in other faces. There is no gondola or tele cabin lift in the area so you should climb Mt Damavand on feet or on ski and ski down. It is possible to ski in winter or spring .....

Summit

Latitude 35 - 57 - 19 N
Longitude 52 - 06 - 36 E
Altitude 5671 m - 18605 ft.
Ascent from Camp3 - Bargah Sevom 3.3 Km, 5-7 hours
Descent to Camp3 - Bargah Sevom 3.3 Km, 2- 4 hours

The mountain is conic like many other volcanic mountains , it looks like Fujiyama in Jpan.
At the summit there is a crater about 150-200 meters across and 30 meters deep , with a lot of yellow sulfurous rocks and pumice stones , cowerd by snow and ice most of the time, only in a very hot summer you may find a little water in its pool.There is no camp here, but if you wish to challenge 7000 m or higher peaks you may make you own camp for acclamatisation here....

Thermal Springs

There are numerous thermal and mineral springs mainly located on the volcano's base,
giving evidence of a geat volcanic heat near the surface of the earth. Damavand is believed to be extinct and there is no recorded eruptions of the volcano, but hot springs on the flanks and fumaroles (steam vents) in the summit suggest that a hot magma is still present beneath the Volcano Damavand. This activity, while little, ie sulphorous fumaroles still emit gases at the top, and hot springs in the valleys like Larijan indicating to a big remaining heat source , showes that it is a dormant volcano rather than an extinct one....

Timing

When to climb ?
Best climbing season
June, July and August are the best climbing season for damavand. During these three months, the footpath is usually free of snow, the weather is relatively mild, access by public transportation is easy but the mountain shelters are crowded . Everybody without much hiking experience is strongly advised to tackle the mountain during this climbing season. Best days , Iranian midweek days , Monday is a recommended day to start . Please note Iranian weekend are Thursday and Friday...

Tips and Tricks

A collection of tips and tricks
- Recommended ascend timing is June to August.
- Never climb at night , use the day light only, best starting time from camp 3 to the summit is 5 to 6 am .
- Do not carry heavy equipments yourself from Camp 2 Base to Camp 3 Bargah .
- Remember that Camp 2 Base is not good for acclimatisation in summer, because it is too crowded and too dirty.
- Never sleep in Camp 3 Bargah old Shellter, when it is crowded. The new hut will be ready soon, you may use it ....

Tours

Welcome to join us for the safest and most reliable experience possible. By focusing our tours on Mount Damavand we've been able to concentrate our experience to give you the best chance of success. We offer guided tours, climbs, hiking & trekkingr Iran mountains, ecosystem and natural attractions.

• Iran Mountain Tour
• Iran Eco and Cultural Tour
  

Volcanic Activity

The volcanic activity became unusual and much higher in 2007, the photos shows the most active part very closed to the top in the south route. When reaching that area keep away from these smokes and continue your way up against the wind. In case of feeling too much gas a handkerchief spread with vinegar is helpful to pass the area. You do not necessarily need oxygen mask , it is optional....

Volcano Damavand

This Volcano is not volcanically active and no eruption is recorded, though is believed to be extinct, but it is not entirely an extinct volcanic cone, it is a dormant stratovolcano, and still there are dozens of thermal and hot mineral springs in the lower elevations and hot gases (fumaroles) emerging near the summit. These thermal springs at the base and steam vents on the top indicate that a hot magma body is present beneath near the surface of the earth.
The peak of Damavand Volcand is covered permanently by snow during the year and the summit crater contains a small pool....

Since spring 2007, there has been extraordinary emission of gases and sulfurous materials and temprature of the hot spring is increased significantly.
Despite the huge size and importance of this recent geologic origin volcano, there has been no reliable study to reveal the geological and geochemical aspects of the volcano that so far remained a mystery and the secrets remain hidden till now, the last eruption is about 35000 year ago....

Weather

Weather Forecast
Weather looks good most of the time in summer , but it could change very rapidly and you may not have enough time or energy to find a suitable shelter. So please have sufficient cloths and equipments with you even during a good weather to save your life in case of emergency....

Winter Climb

Mt Damavand is a popular mountaineering peak for summer, it is surly one of the most difficult ones in the world for winter climb, despite its mild climbing ridges and lack of technical difficulties, freezing weather and strong winds makes ascend very diificult .
The south route is the best side in winter, climbing is more difficult in other faces, due to vicinity of Caspian Sea, there is a heavy winter snow fall in the mountain...

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Useful Info in MDIC
Tailor made mt damavand tours 2010, mountaineering alborz and zagros mountains iran, mount climbing, ski mountaineering, rock and boulder climbing, mountain guide, sherpa, porter, mules, hiking & trekking iran nature, ecosystem, mineral hot water, thermal springs, spa baths, historical & cultural, nomadic, safari deserts, silk road camel riding, tour organizer cave and caravansaries.

Tours

Welcome to join us for the safest and most reliable experience possible. By focusing our tours on Mt Damavand we've been able to concentrate our experience to give you the best chance of success. We offer guided tours, hiking & trekking Iran mountain, ecos and natural attractions.

• Iran Mountain Tour
• Iran Eco and Cultural Tour

Visit also Mount Damavand Guide , Iran Natur and Iran Culture

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