Ghezghoonchal

Overview

Ghezghoonchal Peak is part of the Alborz’ Tochal ridge north of Tehran. Its name is derived from the Turkish word ‘Ghoozghoon” which is the Alpine Chough, a bird common in mountainous areas in most of Europe and Asia.* Maps produced by the Ghitashenasi Geographical & Cartographic Institute such as the Guide Map for Climbing the Peaks of Central Alborz issued in 1999 and the Atlas of the Shemiran Subprovince of 2002 chart Ghezghoonchal Peak at 3.780 m.

* Source : Ali Fard, mountain guide with the Mount Damavand Guides Iran - http://www.damawand.de

Getting There

At the top of the steep Velenjak Blvd in northern Tehran, there is an asphalted promenade leading to the ‘Tochal Telecabin’ cable car station at 1.900 m. From there you can either use the cable car or hike (not recommended in summer) to the cable car terminal situated at 3.746 m. A 200 m hike or a ski lift downhill will take you to the Tochal Hotel, half Ski resort and half mountain hut, situated at 3.550 m. Ghezghoonchal Peak can be accessed from there.

Tochal Telecabin cable car


Tochal Ski lift

Tochal Hotel

Route Description

Ghezghoonchal is a prominent summit in the plateau surrounding the Tochal Hotel. It is also quite remarkable for its peculiar green colour. From the hotel a dirt road will cover part of the hike in North eastern direction, after which you cross hilly meadows in the general direction of the summit. There is no trail.

Ghezghoonchal Itinerary

Ghezghoonchal seen from Tochal Hotel
 

Meadows before Ghezghoonchal


Meadows before Ghezghoonchal

You easily reach the comb on the western side of the mountain where the meadows make place for gently rising gravel in Northern direction.
 

Rocky Ghezghoonchal comb

Go all the way to the northern edge of the comb before turning south east up the final summit slope.
 

Final Ghezghoonchal slope to summit

Only at the very end, for the last 30 m or so, the hike turns into rock climbing, requiring mountain boots (which my son wasn't wearing...).

Ghezghoonchal summit

Essential Gear

Mountain boots type C or D, water, sun lotion

External Links

http://gitashenasi.com/index.php?route=common/home

https://www.summitpost.org/detailed-map-of-central-alborz-mountains/189982/c-154322

https://www.summitpost.org/ghezghoonchal/651999

http://www.hikr.org/gallery/photo1662234.html?post_id=90167#1

http://www.hikr.org/gallery/photo1661993.html?post_id=90167#1

http://www.hikr.org/gallery/photo1662160.html?post_id=90167#1