ABOUT MOUNT DAMAVAND
| MOUNT DAMAVAND QUICK FACT BOX |
| Elevation |
18,602 feet, 5,670 meters |
| Location |
Iranian Plateau, Iran, Asia |
| Range |
Alborz |
| Prominence |
4,667 m (15,312 ft) Ranked 12th |
| Coordinates |
35°57.19'N 52°06.33'E |
| Type |
Stratovolcano |
| Last Eruption |
Unknown |
| First Ascent |
1837 by W. T. Thomson |
| Convenient Center(s) |
Raineh, Iran (village at the south base) |
| Nearest Major Airport |
Teheran, Iran |
Mount Damavand also known as Donbavand, is a dormant volcano and the highest peak in Iran with a special place in the Persian mythology and folklore. Located in the middle of the Alborz Range, it is just 66 km. (41 miles) northeast of Tehran, near the Southern coast of the Caspian Sea, and it is the highest point in the Middle East and the highest volcano in all of Asia. It is surrounded by the smaller and comparatively rugged peaks of the Alborz range, but it's great height and classic volcanic shape, unique to the region, grant it dominance and isolation.
Mt. Damavand is not an active volcano, however there are fumaroles near the summit crater that deposit sulfur and steam occasionally. The view from the summit is an amazing panorama of Iran's vast expanse of mountains, valleys, and deserts.
Routes to the summit
The best major settlement for mountain climbers is the new Iranian Mountain Federation Camp in Polour village, located on the south of the mountain.
The climb of Damavand is non-technical, but offers challenging climbing and remarkable scenery.
There are at least 16 known routes to the summit which have differing difficulties; some of these are very dangerous and will require rock climbing. The most popular route is the Southern Route which has step stamps and also a camp midway called Bargah Sevom Camp /Shelter at 4220 m (about 13,845 ft). The longest route is the Northeastern and it takes two whole days to reach the summit starting from the downhill village of Nandal and a night stay at Takht-e Fereydoun (elevation 4300 m - about 13,000 ft), a two-story shelter. The western route is famous for its sunset view. Simorgh shelter in this route at 4100 m (about 13,500 ft) is a newly constructed shelter also with two stories. There is a frozen waterfall / Icefall (Persian name Abshar Yakhi) about 12m tall and at an elevation of 5100m. Itis the highest fall in Iran and the Middle East.
Iran's ancient past glories as the kingdom of Persia, it's friendly and hospitable people and stunning natural wonders truly represent attractions for the adventurer seeking a new experience. Our program involves acclimatization climbs to 4000m near Tehran; followed by a climb on Demavand, Iran (and Asia's) highest volcano. In the summer, the peak by the normal route does not require technical ice boots or crampons and represents an excellent trekker's summit. You will need to have high altitude camping and trekking experience in the 4000-5000m range. Cultural extensions to the cities of Isfahan or Shiraz can be tagged as optional extras.
Thermal springs
Mt Damavand has some thermal springs (Abe Garm Larijan) with therapeutic qualities. These mineral hot springs are mainly located on the volcano's flanks and at the base, giving evidence of volcanic heat comparatively near the surface of the earth. While no historic eruptions have been recorded, hot springs at the base and on the flanks, and fumaroles and solfatara near the summit, indicate a hot or cooling magma body still present beneath the volcano, so that Damavand is a potentially active volcano.
The most important of these hot springs are located in Abe Garm Larijan in a village by the name of Larijan in the district of Larijan in Lar Valley . The water from this spring is useful in the treatment of chronic wounds and skin diseases. Near these springs there are public baths with small pools for public use.
Nomination as a National Heritage Site
An anthropologist of Mazandaran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department, Touba Osanlou, has said that a proposal has been made by a group of Iranian mountaineers to register the highest peak in the Middle East, Mount Damavand, as a national heritage site. According to reports by the Persian daily Jam-e Jam, this has been accepted by the Mazandaran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department. Osanlou has noted also that the Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization is presently in the process of renaming an upcoming ancient festivity after Mount Damavand. "We have proposed Tirgan Festivity, Tabari Nowruz, to be named as Damavand National Day," he added. Tirgan Festivity is currently held in Amol County’s Rineh region, in Mazandaran province.
