Contribute  Loading...
Geography Parents Loading... Mountains & Rocks
| Cheekha Dar   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Iraq, Asia Lat/Lon: 36.77528°N / 44.91861°E Activities: Hiking, Mountaineering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter Elevation: 11847 ft / 3611 m | Page By: secretcompass Created/Edited: Dec 16, 2011 / Dec 17, 2011 Object ID: 765941 Hits: 407 Loading... Page Score: 76.57% - 1 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
OverviewCheekha Dar lies on the Iraq - Iran border in the Zagros mountain range of Kurdistan. It is the highest mountain in Iraq, but there are higher mountains in the range. The CIA and Russian topographical mapping claims it is 3,611m. It was climbed in November 2004 by English explorer Ginge Fullen, and the first reported winter ascent was by Jonathan Beswick and Matthew DuPuy on March 18th, 2011. Cheekha Dar is Kurdish for "Black Tent".
Getting ThereThe mountain base is accessed from Erbil, a major town in Kurdistan, you can fly to Erbil from various places, or drive overland from Turkey.
From Erbil travel North East on Route 3 to a village called Gundah Zhur. From Gundah Zhur it is a days walk up to an old Kurdish Kut on the mountain. This route goes through a minefield and so it is essential to get Kurdish Army guides. This hut can be used as a Basecamp for a summit attempt, which can be done in a day but is better broken down to two.
Red TapeThis is an area that see's no visitors, which means the bureaucracy is large and complicated with no formal process. You will need permission from the local Kurdish Army commander. There is a strong likelihood you will need to negotiate regularly and expect delays, frustrations and "acceleration fees".
CampingYou can ask for shelter in local Kurdish villages, stay at the Kurdish hut or camp anywhere on the mountain.
External LinksMatthew DuPuy's photo Blog
Expedition to Cheekha Dar Images
|
|
