Introducing Damavand Peak

Beautiful Damavand is the highest peak of the Iranian plateau, which is located in the north of the country and in the heart of the Alborz mountain range and is as old as the history and oral traditions of Iran. Among the oldest sources that have spoken about Damavand, we should mention Avesta, Yashtes and of course Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh. Iranian myths also believe that Zahak Mardush was chained in Damavand and will be released again for chaos before the end of the world.
If you want to know more about this beautiful and high peak of Iran, its different routes and environmental conditions, follow Iran royal holidays.

Where is Damavand Peak?

Damavand Peak is the highest peak of the Iranian plateau and the highest slope of the Alborz mountain range in terms of geography and country divisions of Larijan functions of Amol city in Mazandaran province, which was registered as a natural treasure of Iran in the national list of natural monuments in 2008 and has royal grandeur. This glory has caused Damavand to be known as a symbol of endurance and authority in Iranian culture and literature for a long time. According to the latest announcements, this magnificent peak is 5671 meters above sea level and is climbed by climbers from 4 main fronts.
The beautiful peak of Damavand can be seen from Hemmat Highway in Tehran, Qom and Varamin if the weather is clear and always has snow-covered slopes. It is good to know that these snows and other glaciers of Damavand are permanent and never melt, so if someone wants to climb to this high altitude, in addition to the necessary physical training and exercises, which in mountaineering is referred to as weather, must be have the necessary equipment.

Climb to the peak of Damavand

It is important to know that climbing Damavand is not easy at all and first of all requires training. The Federation of Mountaineering and Sport Climbing is in charge of mountaineering and mountaineering training in Iran, and only through this route can you enter the world of mountaineering officially and approved. After training mountaineering professionals, you will need continuous training, proper shoes and backpacks, seasonal clothing and other mountaineering equipment to go uphill with a team and a professional guide and carpenter.
Due to the altitude of Damavand, climbing without training or the same weather will lead to altitude loss. The altitude will start at 3900 and above and will include nausea, headache, weakness and difficulty breathing. In this situation, climbers should immediately lower their altitude, not be in a high environment, and of course receive the necessary relief and medicine.
Damavand Peak has 4 main fronts and a route called Yal Dagh for climbing. The route of the southern front of Damavand starts from Plour and after reaching the mountaineering federation on the route from Plour to Rineh, the climbers can reach the main camp (sheep farm) with Land Rover and patrols. The western front of the peak also starts from Lar plain and like the southern front, you have to ride in cars from the federation for the western route to reach the main camp. Of course, this story is different for the northern and northeastern fronts of Damavand. For the northern front, climbers have to cross Haraz Road and reach Nandel village after Plour, Goznak and Larijan. The last front is the northeast route, which has a longer route and to reach it you have to go the same route.
It should be noted that the main fronts of Damavand have shelters. The southern shelter is known as the third court and on the western front, Simorgh court is waiting for climbers. The shelter of the northeastern route is also called Takht Fereydoun and provides a place for camping and camping.
The hot ridge is another ascent of Damavand and the only connection point of Damavand to the Alborz mountain range, which is well seen from the western front and is extremely beautiful. The hot ridge should be considered the most difficult ascent of Damavand, which requires continuous training and several years of mountaineering and camping experience.

Vegetation and animal life of Damavand peak

Damavand vegetation is first of all known for its red tulips, which can be seen in July from an altitude of 2000 to 3500, and the vegetation is specific to the southern front and the western front of Damavand. Given that the Lar plain and the southern slopes of Damavand are open to the public, unfortunately many citizens have indiscriminately planted red tulips and severely affected the environment of the region, which requires serious attention and the intervention of the federation to further protect Damavand has. But in addition to these red tulips, Damavand slope is full of vegetation and wildlife, which makes this peak important in Iranian resources and is referred to as a natural treasure of Iran.
The main vegetation of the slopes of Damavand Peak includes plants such as yarrow, vetch, flax, beard, elderberry and do not forget, prickly shrubs and hedgehogs. Poppy, sugarcane, purple spike, wild star, round rose, pink grass and Ararat grass are other vegetation of the slopes of the peaks to higher altitudes that need serious protection.
But about Damavand wildlife, we should first of all mention the magnificent eagle of this area. In addition to the Damavand eagle, which many climbers may have heard its magnificent sound, the wildlife of the Damavand slopes up to 4,000 meters includes foxes, jackals and mountain wolves. Damavand bears are also seen on the western and northern slopes, which, unlike the bears of Sabalan heights, are not very close to climbers. Whole, ewes, deer and boars are other animal and wildlife cover of Damavand that can be seen up to an altitude of over 5,000.

Permanent refrigerators of Damavand peak

Damavand peak due to its height, even on hot days of the year in its heights, sometimes cold weather with wind and even snow. This is why this peak has permanent glaciers, which are not only the favorite route of many glaciers, but also never melt and turn into snow on the hottest days of the year at low altitudes.
The main and permanent glaciers of Damavand include Sivaleh Glacier, Dubai Cell Glacier and Dolls Glacier on the northern front, Yakhar Valley Glacier on the northeastern front, Western Glacier and Northwest Glacier. Passing through refrigerators requires careful training and complete equipment, crampons and batons, otherwise it may lead to an accident.

Damavand in Iranian literature

Damavand has a special place in Iranian literature, poetry and culture, so that some linguists believe that the Havabarzaiti Mountain in Avesta is the same as Damavand, which is often mentioned as a sacred place, and of course this is a matter of controversy. In Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, Damavand also had a valuable mythical place, and according to narrations, Kaveh Ahangar, after the revolt against Zahak, with the help of Fereydoun, imprisoned the snake king in this mountain.
In contemporary times, this peak has been mentioned as a symbol of endurance and power and the famous poet Bahar has composed the famous verse that many of you have heard. The verse “O white demon in prison / O dome of Damavand Giti / from wire to the head of one of his head / iron to one belt” shows the glory of Damavand throughout the history of Iran, with its view of the capital as a symbol Greatness is also known.
In recent years, the 13th of July has been chosen as the national day of Damavand. The main reason for this choice is the celebration of Tirgan on the 10th of July, which is celebrated as a memorial to the victory of Fereydoun Shah and Kaveh Ahangar over Zahak Mardush. The connection between the victory of Kaveh and Fereydoun Shah has made the anniversary of this historic battle known to the public and mountaineers as the national day of Damavand.

Damavand Volcano

In recent years, the Damavand volcano and the activation of this peak have been talked about from time to time for different reasons. Of course, know that this semi-active peak is a single, conical ridge that is connected to the Alborz mountain range from only one front, the hot ridge.
Damavand is a semi-active volcano that according to scientific evidence was formed during the fourth geological period, the Holocene period, and is about 38,500 years old. The crater of this volcano is 400 meters in diameter and is full of snow. Several sulfur hills are active on the southern slope of Damavand, and climbers who climb Damavand from the southern front will pass by these sulfur hills. Also know that the old climbers believe that when the climber notices the smell of sulfur, the peak greets him and waits for him to climb. It is recommended that climbers cross the southern front with a mask and avoid inhaling the toxic odor of sulfur.

In the end, we hope you are well acquainted with the high and beautiful peak of Damavand, and before any climb and planning for camping, be sure to provide the necessary equipment and be physically ready for the activity.