Sabalan
Encyclopedia
Sabalan is an inactive stratovolcano
in Ardabil province
of northwestern Iran
. It is the third highest mountain in Iran with a permanent crater lake
formed at its summit. Sabalan has a ski resort
(Alvares) and different tourist areas such as the Sarein
spa. The mountain is known for its beautiful vistas, including the Shirvan gorge, where few climbers ever venture.
.
Located in the extreme north west of Iran, this is the country's third-highest peak. At 4,811 metres it is taller than Mount Blanc in the Alps. The mountain offers many attractions throughout the year. On the slopes of the mountain the mineral water from springs attracts large amounts of tourists each year, many have faith in healing properties believed to be in the springs. The nomadic people of the area live in small villages, with their round "Yurt" tents appealing to tourism. Sabalan is a volcanic peak, and at 3,600 metres you can see gigantic 'sculptures' which are eroded volcanic stone outcrops which resemble animals, birds and insects.
stratovolcano, the second highest volcano in Iranian Azerbaijan
(North West Iran) after Mount Damavand
. The volcano is quite old, as its rocks have been dated to 5.6–1.4 million years. Some references state that volcanic activity continued into the Holocene
, less than 10,000 years ago.
The summit region has several peaks exceeding 4500 metres (14,763.8 ft), primarily along a southwest-northeast trending ridge. The highest point 4811 metres (15,784 ft) is at the northeast end of the ridge, and is separated from the 4620 metres (15,157.5 ft)+ group of southwestern summits by a 4190 m (13,746.7 ft) col
.
The mountain is located in a continental climate
with hot, dry summers and extremely cold, snowy winters. Precipitation falls primarily as snow
in late autumn, winter, and spring, and is sufficient to sustain seven glacier
s near the summit above 4000 metres (13,123.4 ft). The largest of these were more than 1.5 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi) in length as of the 1970s. There are also extensive rock glacier
s, several of which are more than 3 km (2 mi) in length.
), and a moderate degree of fitness is required to climb it. The climb from the base camp starts easy, becomes challenging mid way, then eases in gradient near the top. The lake on the top remains frozen except for about four weeks in late July to early August.
Some climbers start by driving to hot springs
of Meshkin Shehr, where they start their climb. This climb takes about two days, reaching to the base camp on the first day. Others take a taxi to base camp early in the morning, and climb the mountain in one day. In 2006, there was talk of improving the road to the base camp. If this is done, a regular car should be able to make it to the base camp during the climbing season. The road goes through multiple nomadic encampments of shepherds.
One or two days of acclimatization
in Tehran
or Ardabil
may be advisable. Mountaineering
has been popular among the youth in Iran. On a Friday during the climbing
season (late June to mid August), one may find hundreds of people on the mountain. Guides can also be found in Ardabil. Adequate climbing equipment can be purchased in Ardabil or Tehran.
There are lots of hot springs all around the slopes of Sabalan; and a main concentration is within Sareyn
county having 10 various hot springs.
Furthermore, there are some really proper slopes for skiing with a lot of snow even in near-summer; along with a very beautiful and useful ski piste named "Alvares" within an hour's drive from Sareyn
to the Sabalan South ridge.
Stratovolcano
A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a tall, conical volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash. Unlike shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes are characterized by a steep profile and periodic, explosive eruptions...
in Ardabil province
Ardabil Province
Ardabil Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. It is in the north west of the country, bordering the Republic of Azerbaijan and the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Zanjan, and Gilan. Its centre is the city of Ardabil...
of northwestern Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. It is the third highest mountain in Iran with a permanent crater lake
Crater lake
A crater lake is a lake that forms in a volcanic crater or caldera, such as a maar; less commonly and with lower association to the term a lake may form in an impact crater caused by a meteorite. Sometimes lakes which form inside calderas are called caldera lakes, but often this distinction is not...
formed at its summit. Sabalan has a ski resort
Ski resort
A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing and other winter sports. In Europe a ski resort is a town or village in a ski area - a mountainous area, where there are ski trails and supporting services such as hotels and other accommodation, restaurants, equipment rental and a ski lift system...
(Alvares) and different tourist areas such as the Sarein
Sarein
Sareyn is a city in and the capital of Sareyn County, in Ardabil Province, Iran. Sareyn is known for its hot springs. The population is about 8000, and increases to more than 20000 in the summer because of the many tourists who go there due to the charming climate. It stands 28 km from...
spa. The mountain is known for its beautiful vistas, including the Shirvan gorge, where few climbers ever venture.
The Sabalan mountain
Savalan (The Wonder Peak)Located in the extreme north west of Iran, this is the country's third-highest peak. At 4,811 metres it is taller than Mount Blanc in the Alps. The mountain offers many attractions throughout the year. On the slopes of the mountain the mineral water from springs attracts large amounts of tourists each year, many have faith in healing properties believed to be in the springs. The nomadic people of the area live in small villages, with their round "Yurt" tents appealing to tourism. Sabalan is a volcanic peak, and at 3,600 metres you can see gigantic 'sculptures' which are eroded volcanic stone outcrops which resemble animals, birds and insects.
Geology
Savalan is a large andesiteAndesite
Andesite is an extrusive igneous, volcanic rock, of intermediate composition, with aphanitic to porphyritic texture. In a general sense, it is the intermediate type between basalt and dacite. The mineral assemblage is typically dominated by plagioclase plus pyroxene and/or hornblende. Magnetite,...
stratovolcano, the second highest volcano in Iranian Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan (Iran)
Azerbaijan or Azarbaijan , also Iranian Azerbaijan, Persian Azarbaijan is a region in northwestern Iran. It is also historically known as Atropatene and Aturpatakan....
(North West Iran) after Mount Damavand
Mount Damavand
Mount Damāvand also known as Donbavand, a potentially active volcano and the highest peak in Iran, has a special place in Persian mythology and folklore...
. The volcano is quite old, as its rocks have been dated to 5.6–1.4 million years. Some references state that volcanic activity continued into the Holocene
Holocene
The Holocene is a geological epoch which began at the end of the Pleistocene and continues to the present. The Holocene is part of the Quaternary period. Its name comes from the Greek words and , meaning "entirely recent"...
, less than 10,000 years ago.
The summit region has several peaks exceeding 4500 metres (14,763.8 ft), primarily along a southwest-northeast trending ridge. The highest point 4811 metres (15,784 ft) is at the northeast end of the ridge, and is separated from the 4620 metres (15,157.5 ft)+ group of southwestern summits by a 4190 m (13,746.7 ft) col
Mountain pass
A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...
.
The mountain is located in a continental climate
Continental climate
Continental climate is a climate characterized by important annual variation in temperature due to the lack of significant bodies of water nearby...
with hot, dry summers and extremely cold, snowy winters. Precipitation falls primarily as snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
in late autumn, winter, and spring, and is sufficient to sustain seven glacier
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
s near the summit above 4000 metres (13,123.4 ft). The largest of these were more than 1.5 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi) in length as of the 1970s. There are also extensive rock glacier
Rock glacier
Rock glaciers are distinctive geomorphological landforms of angular rock debris frozen in interstitial ice which may extend outward and downslope from talus cones, glaciers or terminal moraines of glaciers. There are two types of rock glaciers: periglacial glaciers, or talus-derived glaciers, and...
s, several of which are more than 3 km (2 mi) in length.
Climbing
The climbing surface includes rocks of various sizes (Class 2 scramblingScrambling
Scrambling is a method of ascending rocky faces and ridges. It is an ambiguous term that lies somewhere between hillwalking and rock climbing. It is often distinguished from hillwalking by defining a scramble as a route where hands must be used in the ascent...
), and a moderate degree of fitness is required to climb it. The climb from the base camp starts easy, becomes challenging mid way, then eases in gradient near the top. The lake on the top remains frozen except for about four weeks in late July to early August.
Some climbers start by driving to hot springs
Hot Springs
Hot Springs may refer to:* Hot Springs, Arkansas** Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas*Hot Springs, California**Hot Springs, Lassen County, California**Hot Springs, Modoc County, California**Hot Springs, Placer County, California...
of Meshkin Shehr, where they start their climb. This climb takes about two days, reaching to the base camp on the first day. Others take a taxi to base camp early in the morning, and climb the mountain in one day. In 2006, there was talk of improving the road to the base camp. If this is done, a regular car should be able to make it to the base camp during the climbing season. The road goes through multiple nomadic encampments of shepherds.
One or two days of acclimatization
Acclimatization
Acclimatisation or acclimation is the process of an individual organism adjusting to a gradual change in its environment, allowing it to maintain performance across a range of environmental conditions...
in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
or Ardabil
Ardabil
Ardabil is a historical city in north-western Iran. The name Ardabil probably comes from the Zoroastrian name of "Artavil" which means a holy place. Ardabil is the center of Ardabil Province. At the 2006 census, its population was 412,669, in 102,818 families...
may be advisable. Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Mountaineering or mountain climbing is the sport, hobby or profession of hiking, skiing, and climbing mountains. While mountaineering began as attempts to reach the highest point of unclimbed mountains it has branched into specialisations that address different aspects of the mountain and consists...
has been popular among the youth in Iran. On a Friday during the climbing
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
season (late June to mid August), one may find hundreds of people on the mountain. Guides can also be found in Ardabil. Adequate climbing equipment can be purchased in Ardabil or Tehran.
Surrounding area
The area around Sabalan, particularly near Meshkin and Dasht-eh Moghan produces large quantities of grain, including wheat. Thanks to the climate produced by the mountain, Ardabil remains pleasantly cool in the summers.There are lots of hot springs all around the slopes of Sabalan; and a main concentration is within Sareyn
Sareyn
Sareyn is a city in and the capital of Sareyn County, in Ardabil Province, Iran. Sareyn is known for its hot springs. The population is about 8000, and increases to more than 20000 in the summer because of the many tourists who go there due to the charming climate. It stands 28 km from...
county having 10 various hot springs.
Furthermore, there are some really proper slopes for skiing with a lot of snow even in near-summer; along with a very beautiful and useful ski piste named "Alvares" within an hour's drive from Sareyn
Sareyn
Sareyn is a city in and the capital of Sareyn County, in Ardabil Province, Iran. Sareyn is known for its hot springs. The population is about 8000, and increases to more than 20000 in the summer because of the many tourists who go there due to the charming climate. It stands 28 km from...
to the Sabalan South ridge.
See also
- List of mountains in Iran
- List of volcanoes in Iran
- List of Ultras of West Asia