This set of Mount Damavand photos documents an Iranian–British ski descent of the peak via its south face. The last eruption of Mount Damavand (5,610m) took place more than 7,000 years ago, around the height of ancient Egypt’s civilisation. The first known ascent was made in 905 CE by Abu Dulaf al-Khazarji, an Iranian poet and travel writer. For centuries afterwards, Iranians mined the mountain’s slopes and caldera for sulphur.
In addition to being the highest peak in Iran and the Middle East, Damavand is also Asia’s highest volcano, making it a key objective for climbers pursuing the Volcanic Seven Summits — a lesser-known sister challenge to the Seven Summits. While around 400 people have completed the Seven Summits, only 25 climbers have achieved the volcanic alternative. Read more about the Volcanic Seven Summits via my ExplorersWeb story.
You can also watch a short film I shot about our ski-mountaineering trip, produced with Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports, Trek & Mountain Magazine, and BMC TV. The film tells the story of Iranian climber Shirin Shabestari and explores how mountaineering in Iran shaped her upbringing.
There are around 16 routes to the summit. The North-East, North, West, and South routes are the most popular in summer, each with huts at around 4,000m, and a second hut at 5,000m on the North route. Damawand.de
offers detailed information on routes, access, and logistics for climbing the peak.
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