damavand-difficulty

Difficulty
Mt Damavand Difficulty and Climbing Grade
The difficulty of this giant 5671m volcano is similar to Mt Kilimanjaro 5892 m in Tanzania and Mt Everest Base Camp 5380 m in the Himalayan Mountains.

This mountain is well-known for its moderate climbing slops, ascend to this summit is not technical, but physically a moderate challenge in summer and very difficult in winter, climbers should be fit enough to try it in any season, the main challenge of ascend are acclimatization, timing and the weather.
The attempts to this peak should be done only in a correct timing and in a good weather otherwise it could be very risky and tough in a bad weather and off-season.

Mt Damavand South Route Difficulty and Climbing Grade
By Mount Damavand Guide

Climbing Grade In Summer
South Route
Route type: Fundamental-basic mountaineering
Difficulty: Moderate walk-up, easy descend

West Route
Route type: Basic-simple mountaineering
Difficulty: Moderate walk-up (basic snow and cold ), difficult descend

North East Route
Route type: Moderate mountaineering
Difficulty: long and hard ascend, cold and wind , long descend.

North Face Route
Route type: Moderate mountaineering, scramble, steep
Difficulty: The most difficult side, hard ascend, depending on season,
cold,windy, snow and Ice , difficult descend.

Some of climbers who ascend to the top from West, North East, or North Face prefer to descent from south route because of its easy descend footpaths !!

Damavand South Route Map
By Mount Damavand Guide

South Route Climbing Grade in Different Systems
Note: These grades are MDG opinion and regardless of the system used, they are approximation only, there are differences between grading in different climbing routes.

Difficulty: F, YDS class 2 (and sulphur gas above 5400 m)

UIAA: II
USA: 5.3
Australia: 11
France: 2

YDS Grade: Grade V, two day climb Classes 2 and 3
Adjectival grade: Moderate (M, or "Mod")
French Alpine: PD: peu difficile (not very difficult)
New Zealand: Grade 1, Easy scramble. Use of rope generally only for glacier travel.
Alaska Grade: Grade 2 Either a moderate fifth-class one-day climb, or a straightforward multiday nontechnical climb.
See also definition for Climbing Grade in Wikipedia.

Hiking & Trekking Mt Damavand Above Clouds
Photo by Ardeshir Soltani

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Difficulty MDG15JAN10D
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damavand-crowd

Crowd
Popularity and Crowd
Mt Damavand is popular because it is the symbol of freedom agains enemies in Iranian myths, it is mentioned in Persian literature throughout the years and is the subject of many folk poems. In technical terms, it is well-known due its great height with moderate climbing slopes and mild climbing grade and difficulty.

This mountaineering peak has gained its popularity quickly among foreign tourists recently and is visited by a great number of climbers each summer. The most popular face of the mountain is the south route, due to its easy accessibility from Tehran, also for the excellent mountain huts.

Mt Damavand Iran, Summer View
Photo by A.Soltani

Today, it is an international tourist target and one of the world's finest peak. There is no clear estimation about the number of climbers who visit this summut each year, but about 10 percents appear to be foreigners.
This popularity has made some crowd problem for the climbers.

How to Avoid Crowd Problem in Summer
The crowd season is between 20 June to 23 Sep, during the school vacations and the highest crowd peak happens about 6 August.
In order to encounter the least crowd problem, keep away from weekends and holidays, Iranian weekends are Thursday and Friday, start your programme on Sunday or Monday and finish it before weekend.

- Haraz Road is the only access road to the mountain, during Iranian weekends and holidays, there are big traffic jams in this road.
- Don't count on Camp 2 Base at all, you better ignore this campsite for any acclimatization and accommodation, it is the worst campsite in area in summer, it is very crowded and dirty, it is invaded by local people, tour buses and cars arrive there any time and make a lot of noise.

For acclimatization use Camp 1 Polour or Camp 3 New Hut only .
see also Warning
- During the crowd never sleep in Camp 3 Bargah old Shellter, use your own tent or book private rooms in Camp 3 New Hut.

See also helpful info for When to climb? When Not to Climb? in Timing

Summer Tour

Summer Tours , Photo by Ardeshir

Spring Tour
Photo by Ardeshir Soltani

Base Camp Mosque and Shelter Crowd
Photo by A.Soltani

Base Camp Mules
Photo by Soltani

Base Camp Shelter
Photo by Ardeshir Soltani

Bargah Sevom Shelter and Tents
Photo by Soltani

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Crowd MDG15JAN10C
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damavand-mistakes

Common Mistakes Part1
Common Mistakes in Mt Damavand Mountaineering
There are some common mistakes among iranian and foreign climbers which are the main cause of unsuccessful ascends to this peak, the errors are done not only by the newcomers but also by experienced climbers too. In this topic we share our experience and give you the necessary tips to avoid these mistakes and increase your chance of success to this summet.

1- Ascending at Night
We strongly advise you never climb at night, even if you see some climbers do so and persuade the others to follow them. Best climbing time is during the daylight only. Recommended starting time from camp3 to Damavand summit is 5 or 6 am.

Why You Shouldn't Climb at Night
There is a wrong believe among iranian climbers whicht recommend to start your climb from camp3 towards the summit at night, they have mainly two resons for their decision:

A- They insist that the sooner you reach the top the less sulfuric gas you smell because of Volcanic Activity!
This is totaly wrong. The amount of sulfur gas smell or emission is not depend on the time of the day, it depend mainly on the wind direction and speed. They are worried too much, it is just a Mt Damavand nervousness!

B- They mention that you need more time on the summit day.
This is wrong too, if you start at 5 or 6 am, after a successful ascend you have enough time to return back even to Tehran, (but it is better to take it easy and rest at camp3 after your return from the summit).

Night climbing will make you tierd very soon because:
- You have less rest so you are not fresh enough to go as usual.
- You lose more energy because of colder weather at night.
When you made yourself tired and exhaust, no matter how much time you have, you will give up.

Further More
- At night you can't find appropriate footpaths and you may make more mistakes.
- Risk of AMS and injuries are more.
- The most important one, the biological clock of your body says it is sleeping time, although you may be awake !!
- About 60 to 70 percent who start at night , do not succeed and never see summit !!

Mt. Damavand in Summer

2- Sleeping in Crowded Shelter
Camp 3 Bargah Sevom Shelter is too Crowded and noisy in summer, it is not a suitable place for any Accommodation and Acclimatization, for the best comfort and privacy it is better to use a tent, or you may reserve and use the Camp 3 New Hut private rooms in this campsite, shared saloon is not good too.
Note, camp3 is the last campsite on the Mt. Damavand south route.

3- Don't Carring Heavy Equipments
If you carry heavy equipments yourself, from base camp to camp3, this will make you very tired and will effect you climb timing in the next day and cause some problem in the summit day.
Despite the fact that the mule-men are not so friendly and tolerable, and their price seem to be expensive, it is important to use mule and porters.

4- Insufficient info on Mt Damavand
If you are a newcomer and this is your first attempt to this mountain, you better first read the following pages, How To Climb, Timing, Itinerary, Maps, GPS Landmark. Use of an experienced guide or a reliable coach is recommended.

5- Acclimatization and AMS
Acclimatization is the major challenge of Mt Damavad, it is necessary to have a suitable acclimatization before your attempt, this will increases you chance of success and decrease the risk of Mountain Sickness.
Note camp2 base ist not recommended for acclimatization.

6- Bad Weather
Climbing to the summit in bad weather is impossible for any team, when the weather is not good enough, do not leave your camp and do not atempt climbig, it is recommended to have an extra day in your itinerary for bad weather.

7- Insufficient Equipment
To enjoy a safe ascend to the summit, it is crucial to bring the proper Equipmen. Mt Damavand weather is good usually in summer, but it may change rapidly, have enough cloths and equipments even during a good day to save your life in case of emergency .

Don't be scared of sulfur gas, make a small mask, add some vinegar to a handkerchief ,it helps you alot !

Vinegar Mask for Damavand Sulfur Gas

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Common Mistakes MDG15JAN10B
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Climate

Climate
Mount Damavand Climate
In general terms this mountain has two seasons only, summer and winter! The other seasons are too short , it is necessary to be aware of the weather forecast before you atempt climbing. Remmember in any season, for a successful climb you need a reliable weather, it is a good idea to reserve an extra day in your itinerary for bad weather.

Spring April, May
Climbing in spring is rather difficult, but Damavand is beatiful, specially for its good-looking natural poppy fields which start blooming in May in lower parts of the mountain and gratually covers the upper sides. May and June are suggested months for hiking and trekking tours nature and ecosystem of the mountain.

Damavand in Spring

Summer June, July, August
Damavand is a popular peak for summer, June, July and August are are the recommended months for the climbing the mountain, in this season footpaths are usually free of snow, the weather is mostly good, and reaching the mountain base camp is easy by public transportation, but there is a disadvantage, shelters are crowded. Best timing for ordinary climbers to tackle the mountain. Usually the weather is good in summer, but it could change to bad rapidly and the temperatures may drop to sub zero fast, so be aware to have sufficient cloths even during a good weather.

Mt. Damavand in Summer

Autumn September, October
Generally it is cold and windy, there is no water in the area, shelters are not crowded, have winter equipment with you, because of icy footpath ascend and descend is difficult.

Mount Damavand in Autumn

Winter November, December, January, February, March
The winter climate may start even from October and last to April, ascending to the Damavand summit is very difficult, there are excessive wind up to 100 Km/h and severe low temprature down to -60 deg C, and some other risks, climbing is graded very difficult. There are heavy snow falls in winter because it is closed to the Caspian Sea, it makes climbing very difficult in winter, but it ideal season for ski mountaineering, from December to mid May.

Damavand Winter Tips and Recommendations:
- A successful climb in winter is experience plus good equipments, good timing and weather.
- You need a very experienced climbing or ski guide in winter.
- For climbing or ski mountaineering use south route only.
- Road to the base camp is blocked by snow and ice, so cars can not go up to this campsite.
- Impossible to use the mules, so you must carry all gears yourself or by porters.
- Shelters need cleaning from garbage and snow, if you could find them under snow !

Warning
The weather has caused more casualty than any other factor by climbers. Remmember weather forecast is only an approximation, so do not rely on theset reports totally.
The weather in damavand could change to disastrous very quickly in winter, strong winds more than 100km/h and freezing temp below -60°C, you should be very experienced for a difficult ascend or ski expeditions in the difficult climates and be aware of that there is no rescue team and medical facilities in the area in case of injury andemergency, so extra care in necessary in winter and any consequences is at your own risk.

Damavand Mountain in Winter

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Climate MDG15JAN10A
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Cave-Shapour

Shapour Cave
Caves of Iran, Cvae Shapour and Statue of King Shapor I
The historical Shaopur Cave is named after the Great Shapor the King of Sassanid Dynasty. This cave it is famous for the unique 7 meters tall and 1800 years old grand statue of Shapor I at the entrance of the cave. The cave is located near Sasan or Kashkoli village in Tang e Chogan valley, Closed to Shapur river and 6 km far from the historaical Site of Bishapur, the Sassanid winter capital. The entrance of this cave is 30m and is one of the largest in Iran.
This interesting tourist zone is hot in summer and moderate to cold in winter, you need one hour of simple trekking to reach the cave, a good place for foreign tourists and mount climbers, after climbing Mt Damavand, and other outdoor activities in Shiraz province, it is recommended to go to the histotical site of Bishabour and visit this beatiful cave.

Shapour Cave Kazeroon Fars, Iran
Photo by A. Soltani

History
About 1400 years ago the Persian Sassanid Empire collapse, and it is belived that this grand statue was collapsed down by an earthquake and broke to some parts later, it was on the ground for less than 14 centuries , about 30 years ago a group historical monuments lovers raised it again on its feet and fixed it.
Unfortunately, a main road is constructed recently through this historical site and thousands of vehicles pass through the site every day. The historical site of Bishpur has been split into two separate parts by this road, on the north side of the road are Tang e Chowgân valley, mountain pass, Shapour Cave, and Dokhtar Castle and some historical mount carving and on the south are other architectural relics, historical City of Bishapur, Anahita Temple.

Shapour Cave Iran
Photo by Ardeshir Soltani

Geographic Location and Coordinate
Sasan ( Kashkoly) Village Bridge
Altitude 850 M
Latitude 29-47-37 N
Longitude 52-37-15 E

Starting Point Sasan ( Kashkoly) Village
Start your trekking here, it takes about one hour to reach ther cave, there is a good footpath with clear route signs.
Altitude 866 M
Latitude 29-47-57 N
Longitude 51-37-04

How to go there
Tehran> Shiraz> Kazeroon
Kazeroon Road to Chenar Shahijan> Bishapour Site Junction > Tang e Chovgan Valley > Bridge > Sasan ( Kashkoly) Village

Alternate Names and Spellings
Shabor, Shahbor Cave, Shapur, Shahpour,Shahpor Shapoor, Shapor, Shabour, Shabor Cave, Ghar e Shapor, Qar e Shapour
in Persian:غار شاهپور , غار شاپور

Gar e Shapour Kazeroon
Photo by Soltani

Longest Caves in Iran
1- Ghori Ghaleh Cave 13 Km, watercave
2- Katale khor Cave 12.8 Km Natural
3- AliSadr Cave, 11.5 km, water cave
4- Karaftou Cave 750 m, Historical

Major Caves of Iran
AliSadr Cave Hamedan, Iran, water cave.
Karafto Cave, natural and historical.
KataleKhor Cave Zanjan,
Moon Cave, histrorical.
QoriQaleh Cave Kermanshah.
Shapor Cave Kazeroon, historical

Shapour Cave Fars
Photo by Sherppa

Shapour Cave Iran
Photo by A.Soltani

Shapour Cave Fars,Iran
Photo by Ardeshir Soltani

Shapour Cave Fars,Iran
Photo by Ardeshir

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Anahita Temple, Dokhtar Castle, Tang e Chowgân, Bishapur, Bishabur, Sassanid Dynasty, Ardeshir I, Great Shapour I, Damavand, cave formation, natural and historical cave iran, cave tour, photo caves, gps iran caves, ancient caves iran, persia cave temples, iran cave tourism, cave info center, explor iran and visit the wonders hidden inside caves, iran ski, mt temp winter, winter expedition damavand, winter climbing advice, tour damavand, alborz and zagros caves, cave gps, visit historical and natural caves iran, iran tourist, visit asia longest caves.

Cave Shapour MDG13JAN10B
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Cave-Vara

Vara Cave
Caves of Iran, Cave Vara, Sun Temple
Vara Cave is located closed to Jahrom City near City of Shiraz in Fars Province, Iran. This historical cave has been one of the most significant temple in persia in Achaemenian and Sassanian dynasty. It has seven small pools and was used in religious ceremonies, to worship “Mehr” or “Mithra”, for morning pray and sacrifices. The word vara means stronghold or castle, it faced eastward and sun light passes through during sunrise so it is called the Sun Temple or Solar Temple too.

Wara Cave, Ghar e Sang Eshkan Jahrom, Iran
Photo by Jafar Sepehri

It has been used for different purposes in different historical eras, in Sassanid periode, it was a holy religious place. In Islamic time, the statues of Mehr and Mithra were destroy, but people still prayed Mehr and Mithra as an angel. Later it was occupied by ordinerary people, hunter, homeless and they have done some majore damaged to the cave.

This tourist target is hot in summer and moderate cold in winter, an very interesting destination especially for foreign tourists and Mt Damavand climbers, to visit the histotical and natural sites besides their climbing and other outdoor activities in Iran.

Solar Temple, Ghar Sang Eshkan, Iran
Photo by Sepehri

Quick History
Besides the importannce this of this cave temple , there are some historical site in the area with evidences of old iranian eara. Jahrom or Gahrom is one of the oldest cities in Iran, "Gahrom" means Hot Lantad, the city was established by Ardeshir I, the fifth king of Achaemenian, it had a dry climate during the kingdom of Bahram Gur. Jahrom had a remarkable place in the Achaemenian and Sassanid.

There are numerous historical sites in the area:
- A Sasanid fire temple called Ghadamgah.
- Mausoleum of Barbod the great Iranian musician.
- One of the world's ancient man-made caves called Sang Eshkan.
- Natural cave Buniz.

Sun Temple Iran
Photo by Jafar Sepehri

Longest Caves in Iran
1- Quri Qaleh 13 Km, watercave
2- Kataleh khor 12.8 Km Natural
3- Ali Sadr , 11.5 km, water cave
4- Karaftoo 750 m, Historical

Geographic Location and Coordinate
GPS Landmark
Altitude:
Latitude:
Longitude:

How to go there
Tehran> Shiraz > Jahrom> Lar Road> Qar Vara
About one hour trekking from car park, turn right at the junction.
(The left road also goes to the Zendoon Vara, Haft Oudon, Khougonish, Ouqazi, Kharzahreh, Galoonar-Beshkar.)

Alternate Names and Spellings
Vara or Wara Cave, Gar Vara, Gar e Wara, Solar Temple, Sun Temple
In Persian: غار ورا ، غار وارا جهرم

Major Caves in Iran
Ali Sadr Hamedan, water cave.
Karaftou , natural and historical.
Katale Khor Zanjan,
Moon , histrorical.
Ghori Ghaleh Kermanshah.
Shapor Kazeroon, historical

Vara Cave Jahrom, Iran
Photo by Jafar Sepehri

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Cave Vara MDG13JAN10A
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Cave-Sahoolan

Sahoolan Cave
Caves of Iran, Sahoolan Natural National Monument Aquatic
Sahoolan is located 43 km southeast of Mahabad in West Azarbaijan Province, Iran. This limestone water cave has two main sections, a waterway which vistors ride on a boat to discover the amazing attraction of it and a dry part which tourists walk up through the chambers and corridors to visit the hidden undergrounds of this beautiful natural cave.

The name is taken from the nearby Sahoolan Village, the word “Sahoolan” in Kurdish means ice and freezing, because the climate in the area is very cold in winter. This cave is also called the “pigeon or dove nest” cave because there are many pigeon liveing inside, they lay eggs even within reach of visitors so closed that visitors can touch them, doves and bats are the main residents of Saholan Cave.

Sahoolan Cave Azarbaijan, Iran
Photo by A. Soltani

The cave has two entrances, the tour starts from the first entrance with a big jetty chamber, a 200m water trip by boat to the main chamber and it continues in a series of dry corridors and out through the second entrance, the second entrance shows a history of human habitation in the past, black soot smoke on the walls and ceiling shows evidence of long term use of campfires in old ages.

Besides the this natural wonder, there are some historical evidence of old ages too, some paintings on the walls of passages and corridors belonging to Parthian dynasty. This tourist destination is cool in summer and freezing in winter.

Saholan Cave Iran
Photo by Ardeshir Soltani

Many sourses indicate that this is the second largest water cave in the country after Alisadr in Hamedan, but there is not any source of info to mention what is the length of this cave ?!
Sahoulan is a very interesting natural target especially for foreign tourists and Mt Damavand climbers, a recommended destination to visit the beauties of Iran nature besides their climbing and other outdoor activities.

Sahoulan Cave Azarbaijan
Photo by Soltani

Quick Facts
Geology Struture: Aquatic- Argillous
Alive creatures: vespertilionidae, dove
Natural characteristics: calcareous candels in diierent shapes

The first lake is about 200 square m,
The big lake is approx 500 square m
The lake chamber, 12 to 15m wide and 5m high.
The water is generaly clear limpid with typical blue color.

The avarage water depth is about 20m deep,
The max water depth is 52m.
The main chamber is about 35m in diameter and approx 12 to 15m high.
It contains a big lake anout 500m² .

Water Temp: 7 to 10 deg C
Air Presure: 892 mh
Humidity: 70% to 80%
Air Temp: 13 deg C

Light: electricity
The mobile network is available in the area
Protected by: Consult of Environment of Iran.
Date of protection: 31 May 2000

Sahoolan Cave or Pigeon Nest, Dove Nest, Kooneh Kovtar
Photo by A. Soltani

Longest Caves in Iran
1- QuriQaleh 13 Km, watercave
2- Katalehkhor 12.8 Km
3- Alisadr , 11.5 km, water cave
4- Karafto 750 m,

Geographic Location and Coordinate
GPS Landmark for Cave Sahoolan
Altitude: 1760 M
Latitude: 36-39-19 N
Longitude: 45-57-11 E

How to go there
Sahoolan cave is situated 43 kms to the southeast of Mahabad, halfway between Bookan City and Mahabad City near the village of Issakand West Azarbaijan province.

Alternate Names and Spellings
Cave Sahoolan, Saholan, Sahulan, Sahoulan, Pigeon Nest, Dove Nest, Water Cave
In Kurdish: Kooneh Kovtar, کونه کوتر
In Persian: سَهولان، سهولان, غار ساهولان

Major Caves in Iran
Alisadr, Hamedan Iran, water cave.
Karafto, natural and historical cave.
Katalekhor Zanjan,
Moon , Cave civilization.
Quri Qaleh, Kermanshah.
Shapour Kazeroon, statue king shapour the great.
Vara Jahrom , Temple.

Sahoolan Azarbaijan, Iran
Photo by Ardeshir Sherppa

Sahoolan Cave Azarbaijan, Iran
Photo by Ardeshir

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Cave Sahoolan MDG11JAN10A
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