In the Shadow of a Big Mountain. Damavand 2013
Life brings a lot of surprises when you're travelling. I would never expect to celebrate Easter in other way to meeting the whole family at my homeplace... Mid-March 2013 I found myself in the very heart of colourful, ancient Persia at the turn of the years ...1391 and 1392 in Persian calendar. Travelling across the whole Iran in Nowruz time, Tabriz to Kerman, Tehran to Persian Gulf waters, admiring wonderful landscapes and historical sites, experiencing absolutely incredible hospitality of Persian people at every step. However the Middle East Dream wouldn't be fulfilled without mountain episode. My visa was expiring just in a few days time as I came back to Tehran, coming from Shiraz, completing my tour around the great country. Good weather, so... mighty Damavand I am coming! Lots of adventures on the 3 day long climb by southern route, not too technical one and mostly in fair snow conditions. Poorely acclimatized though I almost got insane at my overnight stay at Bargah camp... Three German skiers passed on the final, summit day only. Seas of clouds at dawn under my feet, amazing Alborz horizons around the slightly smoking volcano and terrible breathing problems while climbing. Weather broke down in the descent, nobody around. Forgetting about the whole pain and exahustion and my face simply demolished by sun, winds and freezing cold... full satisfaction at the end of the day.
All good in time. 2 days later I left Iran to Turkey.
Good memories make me missing that land of great people. No doubt, one of the best parts of the world to travel I've ever been to...
Some pics from my Damavand climb for your enjoyment.
Mount Damavand, Alborz Mountains of Iran, 28-31/03/2013.
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