Essential tips to climbing Damavand peak


Essential tips to climbing Damavand peak


1- Exercise in a regular basis

In the month before the ascent, include the related exercises in your weekly schedule several times a week. Aerobic exercises such as swimming, running, mountaineering, cycling can help you earn a better result. It's important to get ready Physically and mentally before climbing Damavand. For example, you can ascend a 400-meters (difference altitude) peak or go to the mountains every week for mountaineering and have a few hours of continuous aerobic activity.

 

2- Acclimatization

Generally, people can ascend to three thousand meters above see level without any problem. Climbing to an altitude of 3,000 meters doesn't mean that you are ready to climb Damavand Peak. Usually, to climb Damavand Peak, in the weeks leading up to your ascent, at least twice try to climb to 4,000 meters peaks and touch the altitude of 4,000 meters. Touching a height means staying at the desired altitude for at least two or three hours and doing activities such as walking and so on. Note that it's essential to have enough rest and already have a gap between the last ascend and the day of the beginning in the Damavand.  Also, don't worry about losing the acclimatization because it will remain in the body during this time.

 

3- Before climbing

Reduce exercise pressure 7 to 10 days before climbing. Reduce endurance training and stop strength training, and allow your body to store enough energy to climb. Avoid fatty foods in the days before the ascend and add low-fat foods like pasta or white bread to your diet one or two days before climbing. Do not forget enough sleep.

 

4- Weather

There is a temperature lapse rate in the mountains. In every thousand meters of altitude, the air temperature decreases by about 6 degrees. So if the temperature in your home at an altitude of 1,000 meters is 30 degrees Celsius, that means you should expect a temperature close to zero degrees at Damavand Peak. The wind will also decrease the temperature that calls chill factor. The windchill factor is the temperature that a person feels because of the wind. Research shows that each 10 km wind speed will reduce the weather by 3 to 5 degrees. So, if there is a wind with 20 kilometers per hour speed at Damavand peak, the temperature will decrease to 10 degrees.

 

5- Appropriate equipment

Even in the hot season, be ready to climb through zero degrees or even less! Wind stopper clothing, warm layer, suitable gloves, warm hat, woolen socks, and suitable shoes (three-season shoes are fitting for late spring to early autumn) are the necessities of clothing in climbing Damavand peak. In addition to suitable clothing for climbing, you have to bring other essential equipment. Professional mountaineering sunglasses, headlights, first aid kits, sleeping bags, and water containers are important. Bringing unnecessary things can make you exhausted, so we  recommend you to climb with the right equipment but not too much. For example, one set of cooking utensils is enough for all three people.  Generally, climbing equipment included backpacks, clothing, and enough food should not exceed 10-12 kg. Overloading will reduce the pleasure of climbing and make it harder.  "Packing the mountain backpack correctly" is an art that you must learn well over time. You can also use local porters. The cost of transporting each 15 kg bag is about 10 euros.

 

6- The best route and shelter

The southern route is the best route for mountaineering and skiing in Damavand. In summer, this route starts from 3,000 meters and a place called Gosfandsara, and in winter, it starts from the asphalt road at 2500 meters.  On the southern front, there is a large shelter called Bargah, which we do not recommend due to the overcrowding, lack of heating equipment, and lack of special insulation in winter. Also, you can find another shelter in 4,150 meters, which has been renovated by IRMtravel recently. In addition to the wooden space and suitable interior, this shelter offers hot food, drinks, and free internet for private travelers. This shelter has a capacity of 12 persons and provides good services to climbers the night before the climb. Contact us to book this place.

There are also two camps at the foot of Damavand in Poloor and Rineh, which we recommend Rineh mountaineering camp. This camp is a convenient and cozy place to stay before and after the climb and offers excellent food services to travelers. But, Poloor camp has no essential facilities at all, and even it's too hard to find someone who can speak English there.

 

7- Schedule of ascending Damavand peak

In the first ascents, be sure to accompany experienced guide.  Climbing to Damavand peak in hot seasons is usually done in minimum 2-3 days. So be sure to get enough sleep the night before ascending because it will strongly affect the quality of climbing.  It is urgent to check the weather. The best time to start the climb from the 3000m camp is early in the morning, around 7-8 o'clock, because it will make you less exposed to the heat at lower altitudes and give you enough time to reach the height of the camp. Finally, do not move too fast and try to climb with steady footsteps.

 

8- The ascend day

On ascending day try not to think a lot about the Damavand peak. By too thinking about it you will lose patience. Try to enjoy the surrounding scenery, start the morning with hot water, tea or coffee, and a light breakfast. It is best to start climbing at 5-6 am, so do not forget about sunscreen and sunglasses. Drink some fluids (water, tee, etc…) and carbohydrates every hour of the climb to maintain your body's fluid levels. The weather of Damavand usually gets windy in the afternoon, so do not forget the rule of 2p.m rule in the mountain; it's better to reach the peak and be on the return way until 1-2 p.m.  At last, avoid stopping too much at the summit and beware of sulfur fumes as they are toxic and can harm you.