Getting ready … Mt Damavand

My Dream

The Volcanic Seven Summits Project is my volcanic dream that might one day become the reality. My utopian dream about conquering the 7 volcanic peaks, the highest volcanic peak on each continent 😍 a distant, unreal, perfect goal which I believe is achievable, not easy but  my aspiration to fulfil my dreams has no limits. So far I have managed to climb two of the seven volcanoes – Kilimanjaro in Africa and Pico de Orizaba in North America. This time I’m going to Iran …

My aim is to reach the two highest and most beautiful peaks in Iran –  Alam Kuh (4850 m) and Mt Damavand (5,609 m). Also, during the acclimatisation process I will be climbing two smaller mountains – Lashgarak the Small (4 176 m) and Lashgarak the Great (4256 m).

Why Iran?

Friends keep asking about my next destination, ‘where are you going this time’? What’s the plan? When they hear Iran, they are surprised, shocked and worried! Why, why, why? Why would you ever want to go to Iran? Yes, yes, I know that Iran doesn’t have the best reputation in the western countries. 

Our perception of this country, world politics, danger, nuclear weapons, religion, differences and intolerance.  Media snapshots have an enormous  impact on the way we feel and how we perceive certain destinations in the world. 

Iran might not be necessary on the list of the holiday destinations for the majority of people but I believe that I will be pleasantly surprised and warmly welcomed by local people. Often places off the beaten tourist track are the most worth visiting and experiencing, not only from a cultural and historical  perspective but in this scenario it can also be a dream trip for every climber during which you can gain many new experiences and be left with many unforgettable memories.  Iran can be the ultimate destination, and to be honest I believe that it will become the world’s next big tourist destination. Why?
I’ve read somewhere that Iran is the 10th country in the world with the most cultural heritage sites – 26 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  (Status from 2021 – the 1st place belongs to Italy (8) , 2nd China (56) and 3rd Germany (51) – you can read more about it on The Whole World Is A Playground. Iran is filled with ancient history and culture, definitely worth learning about an ancient Middle Eastern civilisation and trades.

Could Iran be the World’s next top tourism destination?

It can become a destination for all types of visitors, foodies, history, architecture and art lovers and adventure addicts 😛 Adventures range from mountain climbing, through trekking – there are many peaks above 4,000 m in the Alborz Mountain Range, and skiing – probably not many people would think that Iran might be a skiing destination. Think about all the adventures that you can have at Iranian desert: hmmm, sandy dunes, hot springs,  beaches (I would love to see Hormuz Island – the rainbow island, maybe next time); other places worth mentioning are: The Valley of Stars, The Rainbow Valley and the ancient Hyrcanian forests (dating back 25 to 50 million years, stretching 850 km along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea – which I will have a chance to visit). Of course there are many other places worth visiting. My time in Iran is very limited and apart from my mounteerning adventure, outside of the Alborz Mountains and villages; I will be only visiting Tehran, Hyrcanian forest  and the Caspian sea. 

The hottest spot in the world is located in Iran

Did you know that apparently the hottest spot in the world is located in Iran?? Yes! The area is called – Gandom Beryan. This unique flatland is covered in volcanic black rocks which strongly absorb sunlight, making it a ‘hotspot’. Very interesting travel blog written by  Mehdi Gholami if you would like to learn more about Iran. 

I had many doubts and worries, and many questions arose during the planning process and not everything was straightforward, issues with visa, not being able to purchase travel insurance, being worried about my sexuality, tattoos, piercing, being female, and many more … which I will cover in detail in my next post.

Before I started researching the 7 volcanic summits I didn’t know about the existence of Mount Damavand @ 5,609 m. This graceful, 10,000-year-old volcano is the highest natural point in the Middle East and the highest volcanic peak in Asia, located north of Tehran in the Alborz mountain range, close to the Caspian Sea.

It has a special place in Persian mythology and folklore; it can even be found on the back of an Iranian banknote. Fun fact: some researchers of the biblical Noah’s Ark believe that it was on Damavand that the Ark rested, and not on Ararat in Turkey.

Before my Damavand climb, as part of the acclimatisation, I will be also climbing- Alam Kuh also spelled Alam Kooh or Alam Kouh. It is Iran’s second highest peak, 4,850 m high, often referred to as a mountaineering paradise due to its steep slopes, beautiful glaciers and snow fields, and demanding technical routes. I’m hoping to stand on the top of the highest natural point in the Middle East and the highest volcanic peak in Asia on my 41st Birthday – 16 September!