RoShanAk

Damavand

  Mount Damāvand (Persian: دماوند ) 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 Alborz Range, adjacent to Varārū, Sesang, Gol-e Zard and Mīānrūd, it is the highest point in the Middle East and the highest volcano in all of Asia. Though not volcanically active, there are fumaroles near the summit crater that deposit sulfur, which were most recently known to be active since July 6, 2007. The mountain is located near the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, in Āmol county, Māzandarān, 66 kilometres (41 miles) northeast of Tehran.

Symbolism and mythology

  Damavand is, as any cursory reading of Persian literature will indicate, the Mount Olympus of Persian mythology.Damāvand is the symbol of Iranian resistance against foreign rule in Persian poetry and literature. In Zoroastrian texts and mythology, the three-headed dragon Aži Dahāka was chained within Mount Damāvand, there to remain until the end of the world. In a later version of the same legend, the tyrant Zahhāk was also chained in a cave somewhere in mount Damāvand after being defeated by Kāveh and Fereydūn. Damāvand is also significant to the Iranian legend of Arash. The mountain is said to hold magical powers in the Šahnameh.

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.There are at least 16 known routes to the summit which have different difficulties. Some of them are very dangerous and need 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 downhill village of Nāndal 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. Sīmorgh shelter in this route at 4100 m (about 13,500 ft) is a newly constructed shelter with two stories. There is a frozen waterfall / Icefall(Persian name Ābshār Yakhī)about 12m tall and the elevation of 5100m is the highest fall in Iran and Middle East.

Elevation

  The 5,604m given here is from the 1995 Britannica Atlas and it is consistent with SRTM data. The commonly quoted 5,671m elevation is not consistent with SRTM data and there is no evidence that it was derived from an accurate survey.

More Information

  Longitude: 52° 6' E.Latitude: 35° 56' N.  Range/Region: Middle Alborz.Province: Mazandaran.  Nearest major town: Larijan. 

Source : From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

:Photos of western and north faces

DORFAK

DORFAK is the largest crater of “IRAN” with 2705meter height and is located in 50km from southeast of RASHT.

DORFAK is considered as the beginging of eastern altitudes of the Sepidroud valley.Western Gilan (Talesh) stretch to neighbourhood of this valley and then DORFAK with its lush surroundings and rocky walls and comes to the eyes.

This peak connects to Manjil heights southenly and Pishkouh mountains and Takht-e-souleyman easternly  ending to Tonekabon’s  Sehezar valley. There is no continuity to the north but westwards it connects to Sepidrod valley , the beginning of the west Alborz heights.

The recommended time to climb is the second half of Ordibehesht(first half of May) for two days.This region is reach in plants and nettle which is able to cure Rheumatism is widely seen.The dominant fauna reads: fox,wolf,jackal,rabbit,deer,bear,leopard …

The two rivers Siahrod in Rodbar and Chakrod in Lahijan  initiates from DORFAK.

There exists 6 routes in order to reach the peak:

1.Shahshahidan(eastern front)

2.Raje’un(north western front

3.Shirkouh(north western front)

4.Dafraz(north western front)

5.Estalakh jan(western front)

6.Kardesara(northern front)

Pictures  below taken on Shirkouh route.

Special thanks to  Sina Tafaghodi.

Sabalan

 Sabalan , (Azeri: Savalan) is a high mountain located north-west of Iran in province Ardebil. Sabalan ,Iran’s third highest peak , is a distinct volcano in the west of the city of Ardebil, 4811m above the sea level.The mountain chain of Sabalan ranges from ‘Ghara soe ‘ valley is the north of Ardebil possessing north-west direction , with the 60Km length and 48Km wiegth and continous to ‘ghoshadagh’ mountain south of Ahar.

  Sabalan is the runner  up to Damavand which old title of Iran’s most famous . This beautiful peak has a magnificent and pretty lake on the top of her crater which has been cover with snow and ice during whole year.There is permanent snow on this mountain and tracts of  old glaciers can be observed vividly.

  One of the spectacular specifications of this area is the existance of numorous mineral hot water sources scattered around this mountain , Sarein to Ghotor soe . These are mainly situated in Sarein . Chemical analysis and studying hydrological preporties of mineral water indicates that they originate from earth’s inner layers and whilst passing through various layers solve some of the terrestrials like carbonates and sulphates. Lymph and clear water sources and pleasant meteo are indicative of marvelous fertility and a unique echology .

  There , grow over 3000 different species of  plants among which the most noticeables are lily , opiate, rose , tulips ,etc .In the region of Sabalan 11 different animal habitats are identified which the most important ones are : ‘Hajilo’ habitat 22 Km to Meshkinshahr , ‘Agha Baba’ habitat near the village ‘Agha Mohammad beglo’ , ‘Vanyl ‘ in the north-west of Ardebil,etc , where goat , ewe ,brown bear , pig , rabbit, fax , wolf, partridge,deer , swan and … live . Another speciality of  Sabalan environment is the exitance of plentiful ponds among which we can refer to ‘Gharagol’ , ‘Varigol Hoshang Midani’ and ‘Molla Ahmad’ pond where birds and wild animals live in .