Damavand, Stratovolcano in Amol County, Iran
Damavand is a stratovolcano in Semnan Province in northern Iran, rising 5610 meters above sea level as the highest peak in the Alborz range. The cone-shaped summit carries snow year-round and shows sulfur deposits near the crater, while its flanks feature glaciers and meltwater streams.
Plate collisions between the Arabian and Eurasian plates formed the volcano millions of years ago, with its last major activity around 5300 BCE. Ancient texts mention the peak as early as pre-Islamic times as a sacred site and reference point for travelers.
Persian literature honors the peak as a symbol of resistance, with its name appearing in poems and epics across centuries. Local climbers view the ascent as a personal challenge that combines endurance and respect for nature.
Sixteen different routes lead to the summit, with the path from Polour Village offering a base camp at 4220 meters that helps with acclimatization. Most ascents take place between June and September when weather conditions are more stable and temperature shifts between day and night feel less extreme.
The Yakhar Glacier at mid-elevation remains one of the few permanent ice flows in the region and supplies meltwater to surrounding valleys. Different animal species such as Caspian snowcocks and Armenian mouflons inhabit separate elevation zones, adapting to changing temperatures and vegetation belts.
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