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Damavand

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