Parsoon & Dashteh

Overview

In Lavasanat region in northeastern Tehran there is a ridgeline with the average height of 3000m going from south to north. This ridgeline, called Parsoon ridgeline, is about 6km long, and it consists of several peaks. The last 3 peaks in the northern side are higher than 3000m. Parsoon peak at 3170m is the highest.

This season (2013/2014), The Alborz mountain range experienced the worst drought on record. The precipitation was the lowest ever. Therefore, as the pictures show the snow cover is not that much compared to what you see in a typical year.

The most popular starting point to climb Mt. Parsoon is the village of Afjeh. From Afjeh it takes about 45 minutes to get to a place called Dasht-e Havij (Carrot plain). Apparently, they used to grow carrots in this area.

Here are some pictures I took on my way to Dasht-e Havij:

Mt. Rizan

Afjeh waterfall

Mt. Rizan

Nice waterfalls

Atashkooh and Saka

Dasht-e Havij is 2400m above sea level, and you can climb several peaks from there including Saka (3320m), Atashkooh (3720m), Rizan(3570m), Siahriz (3300m), siahchal (3350m), Sarsiahghar (3420m), Parsoon(3170m), Dashteh (3100m) and the other peaks in Parsoon ridgeline. Here are some views from Dasht-e Havij:

Mt. Parsoon

Mt. Rizan

Rizan and Atashkooh

The village of Afjeh

Dasht-e Havij

Dasht-e Havij

Mt. Atashkooh and the waterfalls

A close-up view of the waterfalls

Mt. Rizan

Mt. Atashkooh

Mt. Rizan

Saka and Atashkooh

Mt. Saka

Since I was planning to hike the last 3 peaks in Parsoon ridgeline, I didn’t take the normal rout which takes you to the saddle between Parsoon and the last peak. Instead, at some point close to the end of the Carrot plain, I climbed a slope to the right to get to the ridgeline somewhere before the last 3 peaks. The following photo shows the slope I took to get to the ridgeline:

The slope

Here are some Pictures I took on the way to the ridgeline:

Atashkooh and Rizan

A snow field

Atashkooh

Mt. Parsoon

Saka, Atashkooh and Rizan

Getting close to the ridgeline

When I reached the ridgeline, I hiked towards the summit of Dashteh (3100m). Dashteh is the first peak higher than 3000m in the ridge as you go from south to north. Here are the views from the ridgeline:

Looking south

Latian lake

Gavbini and Sarsiahghar

Dashteh

Saka, Atashkooh and Rizan

Sarsiahghar

here are the views from the summit of Dashteh:

Mt. kamardasht

Parsoon

Siahriz, Kafareh and Parsoon

Mt. Kafareh

 

The ridgeline

Looking SE

Looking east

Atashkooh, Rizan, Siahriz and Kafareh

Summit of Parsoon

The next peak after Dashteh is Parsoon (3170m). Many peaks in the Alborz including Damavand are visible from the summit of Mt. Parsoon. Here are some views from there:

Looking south

Looking SE

Siahchal and Gavbini (Looking east)

Damavand and Siahchal

Damavand

Asemankooh, Kamardasht and Damavand

The last peak on the ridge

Siahriz, Kasoonak and Kafareh

Atashkooh, Rizan, Siahriz and Kasoonak

Atashkooh and Rizan

Parsoon summit

The next peak is the last peak in the Parsoon ridgeline. This peak is also on the Siahriz-Siahchal ridge. Here are some photos on the way to the peak.

Kamardasht, Damavand and Siahchal

Atashkooh and Rizan

Parsoon north face

When you get to the last peak of the ridge, The Lareh (or Lar the small) plain will be also visible. Lareh plain is different from Lar plain. They join together at some point down to the east. Here are some photos from the summit of the last peak:

Parsoon summit

Looking SSE

damavand and Siahchal

Kamardasht and Damavand

Asemankooh and Kamardasht

Kafareh, Kasoonak and Shivarkesh

Kasoonak, Shivarkesh and Siahriz

Atashkooh, Rizan, Siahriz, Shivarkesh and Kasoonak

On the way back I took the normal route. Here are some photos I took on my way back to Dasht-e Havij:

Saka, Atashkooh and Rizan

Parsoon north face

Saka

Tiny waterfalls

Saka

Another tiny waterfall

Back to Dasht-e Havij

Getting There

To get to the village of Afjeh, you need to take Lashgarak road in northeastern Tehran which takes you to the small town of Galandovak. At the end of the main boulevard take Sinak road which takes you to the village of Afjeh.

Route

Red Tape

When to Climb

Camping

External Links