Mount Damavand

A dormant volcano with a narrow summit. Location Alborz Mountains, Iran. Height 5671.

The earliest recorded ascent of Damavand was made in 905 by Abu Dolaf Kazraji, although others unknown may have preceded him. Three centuries later Yaqut, the great Byzantine/Arab geographer, attempted to climb Damavand, but failed to reach the summit. However, the local people who served him as guides gave him a detailed description of the summit which he incorporated into his famous “Dictionary of Geography”, and which conforms perfectly with the geographical reality. At approximately the same time Ebn Esfandiar noted that the ascent from Ask took around two days. Apparently climbs of Damavand were not uncommon during the early 13th century, before the Mongol invasion under Hulagu Khan swept, and destroyed, everything before it.
actually, at the time of Thompson’s ascent in 1837, there were ascents regularly being made by iranians, to gather sulphur from the summit for commercial purposes; Thompson himself mentions this in his article in the Royal Geographic society magazine of 1838. This commercial activity was mentionned in Nasser-i Khosrow’s medieval book of travels

The seasoned traveler in Iran is so used to seeing gaunt, rugged precipice , jagged peaks and bare deserts, that the sight of Damavand is a relief and surprise to the eye. Visible From many kilometers away, thought it is surrounded on every side by the peaks and ridges of the albroz, its superior height and singular outline compel attention. It is as prominent a feature in northern Iran (only 80-km northeast of the capital, Tehran) as is the well-known Fujiyama in Japan. Many travelers say that its snowy-white cone is the most beautiful sight of the country and the one-day treasure most.

A small and picturesque town bearing the name of Damavand is beautifully situated on the southern slopes and is much used as a summer resort by the people of Tehran. There has been no eruption of the mountain in historical times and it is now regarded as virtually extinct thought some hot springs are found on its lower slopes. At the summit there is a crater, some 300 meters across, with a profusion of yellow sulfurous rocks and pumice stones. Snow covers the crater and upper slopes in winter and spring. in sheltered hollows snow many remain all the year. On most days of the year the summit can be seen from Tehran and, when the air is clear from far away kasahn to the south of the great salt desert.
It is not surprising that such a prominent mountain should figure in Iranian legend. The great tenth-century Iranian poet, Firdausi, relates in his epic “Shahnama” how the tyrant Zohak is overthrown by the young Feridun and imprisoned in chains to die in a cavern on the slops of Damavand. Local legend asserts that his groans may still be heard .

on this slops lived the heroes, Jemshid and Rostem .On Other Legend Associated Damavand with the arc, claiming that it rested here, and not ararat.

Damavand has been frequently climbed.Traditionally, the Iranian was opposed to the conquest of the mountain. The climb is long, but not difficult or dangerous. Loose stone and small ribs of rock have to be clambers over, at higher levels, if the accent in early summer, expanses of snow must be corset to the crater at the top. Because of its great height and isolation, the view from Damavand is very extensive; a vast panorama of mountains, valley and desert covering many handed of square Kilometers. All around are other peaks of the alborz range, sweeping down in the north to the humid Caspian plain and in the south descending to the deserts of central of iran

Fact Box

Other names/spellings Demavend
Køh-e Damåvand
Demåvend Kuh
Mount Demavend
Mount Damavand

Elevation (feet) 18,602

Elevation (meters) 5,671

Location Aborz Mountains
Iran

Latitude 35° 57′ 21″ N

Longitude 52° 06′ 31″ E

Best Climbing Months July, August, September

Year First Climbed 1837

First Climber(s) W.T. Thomson

Volcanic Status Active

Most Recent Eruption None on record

Convenient Center(s) Raineh, Iran (village at the south base of the mountain)

Nearest Major Airport Teheran, Iran

Relief map

Recommended
Mountain Clothing

Mountain Equipment

Warm, wind proof jacket with hood – Good warm sleeping bag
Waterproof jacket and over-trousers Water bottle (1 -to 2 litres)
Walking trousers, shirts, pullover Water purification tablets and filter
Warm underwear Wash kit, towel, toilet paper
Walking socks First aid kit ( including blister plasters, lip slave
Good comfortable Climbing boots headache pills, sun cream, personal medication)
Trainers ( for evenings) Torch
Gaiters Sun glasses
Sun hat Walking pole (s)
Warm hat or balaclava and scarf

NB: It is advisable to pack your clothing and equipment into a waterproof rucksack for carry. Also it is advisable to have a small day rucksack to carry your raincoat, camera, packed lunch and energy snack and items of personal nature.

 

Mount Damavand

Mount Damavand

Mount Damavand

Mount Damavand

Mount Damavand

Mount Damavand

Mount Damavand

Mount Damavand

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