OverviewClick for Introduction to the Central Alborz Mountains.
Click to see a Map of the Dobrar Ridgeline.
Note: My GPS measured an elevation of 3440 m. The 3416 m figure is per the Iranian 1:50 000 Map.
Southeast Face |
North Face |
Dobrar (Ghareh Dagh) Ridgeline is an impressive 52 Km long mountain chain that forms a continuous wall in the southeastern portion of the Central Alborz Mountains of northern Iran. This ridgeline gives rise to more than 20 named peaks and many other unnamed high points. The elevations of 5 of these peaks exceed 4000 m. The highest of these peaks is the 4072 m summit of West Dobrar Peak. The ridgeline starts near the Emamzadeh Hashem Pass on Haraz (Tehran-Amol) Road and heads east to end near the village of Seh Band on Firooz Kooh (Tehran-Sari) Road.
Bazm Chal is the western-most peak of the ridgeline and is the lowest of the named peaks. It rises directly above the Haraz Road and can be used as an access route to reach the top of the ridgeline. After ascending to the summit of Bazm Chal, most climbers follow the ridge-top east to reach the other peaks of the Dobrar Ridgeline. Traversing the entire ridgeline, depending on the climber’s stamina and skills, generally takes a little more than a week.
The western slopes of Bazm Chal drop steeply into a tight valley that forms the headwaters of the Haraz River. The northern slopes of Bazm Chal go down to reach the junction of Haraz & Lasem Rivers. To the southeast, Bazm Chal is connected to a number of rounded hill-like high points (some of which have been given names such as Mian Rood and Lasem) before connecting to the 3622 m peak known as Changiz Chal #3. The southern slopes of Bazm Chal provide the best access route to its summit.
From the summit of Bazm Chal, the best view is that of the 5610 m giant cone of Mt. Damavand to the north. Traffic noise from the Haraz Road can unfortunately be heard half way up the slopes of Bazm Chal.
Views From the Summit of Bazm Chal:
Damavand |
| 
Dobrar Ridgeline |
| 
Dokhaharan Massif |
|
Northern Slopes |
| 
Gole Zard Peak |
| 
Peaks around Lar Plain |
|
Getting ThereFrom eastern Tehran, drive the Haraz Road roughly 55 Km to reach the 2700 m Emamzadeh Hashem Pass. Drive a few more kilometers down the north side of the pass until at an elevation of 2570 m you reach a hairpin turn GPS Coordinates 35 47.593 North, 52 02.610 East. This is your trailheadRouteTrailhead: 2570 m
Bazm Chal: 3416 m
One way hiking distance: 2.25 Km
From the trailhead, you can not see Bazm Chal. Head up the slopes on the north side of the hairpin turn on Haraz Road. The slopes are at first steep but at an elevation of 2850 m, they become gentler.
southern slopes around 2850 m |
| 
southern slopes above 2850 m |
| 
southern slopes around 2850 m |
|
Further up, the slopes become rocky and steep again but these do not cause any technical difficulty. Continue up to reach the ridge-top at an elevation of 3370 m. Follow the ridge-top northwest a short distance to reach the summit of Bazm Chal.
Rocky Slopes |
| 
Rocky Slopes |
| 
The South Face of the Summit |
| 
Ridgetop to Summit |
|
Red TapeNo fees or permits needed.
Gole Zard Peak as seen from the southern slopes of Bazm Chal |
CampingAnywhere.
Sar Estakhr Peak and a portion of the Haraz Road as seen from the southern slopes of Bazm Chal |
External LinksAdd External Links text here. Images
"It is impossible to fully enjoy procrastination unless one has plenty of work to do."
© 2006 SummitPost.org. All Rights Reserved.
|
