Sabalan volcano-Savalan

[goiran]

Introduction: Sabalan (Persian: سبلان, Azerbaijani: Savalan, ساوالان) is an inactive stratovolcano in Ardabil province of northwestern Iran. It is the third highest mountain in Iran and has 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 in meshkin shar (khiav), it is the country's second 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.


Savalan is a large andesite stratovolcano, the second highest volcano in meshkin shahr (khiav)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 4,500 metres (14,800 ft), primarily along a southwest-northeast trending ridge. The highest point 4,811 metres (15,784 ft) is at the northeast end of the ridge, and is separated from the 4,620 metres (15,160 ft)+ group of southwestern summits by a 4,190 m (13,750 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 glaciers near the summit above 4,000 metres (13,000 ft). The largest of these were more than 1.5 kilometres (1 mi) in length as of the 1970s. There are also extensive rock glaciers, several of which are more than 3 km (2 mi) in length.

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Location: Ardabil province

Elevation: 4811 m (18,406 ft)

Days of trip: 3-4 Day from Tehran to Tehran (Without heavy traffic you need 8-10 hr driving from Tehran to start point and 1-2 days for climbing)
Attention: In holidays there is heavy traffic in all roads around Tehran.

Best time to visit: Jul to Sept

Daily time visit: No limit

Difficulty level: Difficult

Requirements: (Depend on your plan) Guide or GPS track, water, food, warm and waterproof clothes and tent, waterproof shoes, headlamp, satellite phone and...
Also need technical mountaineering gear if decided to climb in cold weather.

Legal permission need: No

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Overall risk: High altitude, storm

Animal risk: Yes

Lost risk: Yes

Rescue: Yes, you can call 115 but maybe take a long time to find you. There is no road.

GSM Mobile Antenna: No

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Hotel: No

Village: No

Shop: No

Gasoline: No

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How to get there:
1- Go to east terminal of buses in Tehran (more info)
2- Take a bus ticket to "Meshkin shahr"
3- Take a 4wd vehicle to the base camp
4- Start mountaineering 6-8 hr to Sabalan peak


Nearest airport: Ardabil airport

Nearest train station: There is no station less than 100 km

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Location on map:

GPS elevation profile:



Pictures:

More Pictures:

http://www.anobanini.net/forum/showthread.php?3127

[Parvaneh]

Sabalan is an inactive stratovolcano located in Meshkinshahr, Ardebil. Sabalan is the third highest mountain in Iran and a permanent crater lake has formed at the 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. The summit region runs along a southwest-northeast trending ridge. The volcano is quite old as its rocks have been dated to millions of years ago. Some references state that volcanic activity continued into the Holocene, less than 10,000 years ago.


The mountain enjoys specific attractions in various seasons of the year where the mountain climber feels he has entered a land of dreams and wonders. On the slopes of the mountain many mineral water springs flow which attract thousands of tourists each year, and many have their healed in the springs. There are also many trails and a few very small villages in the area, as well as many nomadic people with their round "Yurt" tents. Visiting and seeing these more primitive people is one of the best reasons for climbing the mountain. Located in the extreme north west of Iran, this is the second-highest peak. Its 4,821 meters makes it taller than Mount Blanc in the Alps. Sabalan is a volcanic peak, and at 3,600 meters you can see sculptures which are eroded volcanic stone outcrops which resemble animals, birds and insects. The most stunning of such sculptures is an eagle statue known as Ghartal, seemingly gazing over its surroundings to maintain control over the Sabalan slope and valley from atop.



The mountain, the crater, and the lake can usually be ascended from the northern and southern tracks. Once ascended, one can see a panorama of the beautiful region for more than a hundred kilometers around. The crater lake is located on the southeast side of the mountain, is elliptical and measures 145 meters across and 80 meters wide and with a depth of 25 meters. Since it is covered with ice from mid-September through early June, mountain climbers use it for ice skating. There are two famous warm water springs in the area, Ghotursoui and Shabil which is closer to Sabalan.



In 2008 and for the first time a female hiker managed to swim in the icy waters of Sabalan’s crater lake. Following the ascend of the group of 20 female hikers and upon reaching the lake 50 year old Shahin Baghchehsaray submerged herself in the lake. She swam for approximately 45 minutes in the below freezing temperatures and as the lake was still frozen and iced over on the opposite side.


It has been mentioned in the holy book Avesta, Zoroaster, the Iranian Prophet, was born by the river "Daei Yeta" which is now called Aras and wrote his holy book in the Sabalan Mountains.


http://historicaliran.blogspot.com.ar/2 ... ntain.html

[Parvaneh]

[Parvaneh]

Lake Mountain Lake sabalan an oval, is located at an altitude of 4811 meters on Mount sabalan. Smooth and clear water temperature in the hot season is also zero. Most days of the year the lake is frozen and covered with ice and snow.

[Parvaneh]

Sabalan Mountain is the highest and the most important mountain in the Ardabil province. Because of having the volcano Background is considered as Iran's volcanoes. This volcano started it’s activation about 500 years ago and now it is off and any works of Reload activity has been observed in that genesis and exit of the warm mineral waters are the effect of its volcano. ardabile volcano is the source of dozens of mineral springs and The most centralized and one of The filled water focuses of iran at the domain of this mountain the ground sleeping under the covering of snow As if it lives like human resuscitative Freshwater in flowing from the domain of this kind Mather pass among of the valets toward to plants as if it looking for a lost thing the domain of sabalan have a cold and snowy winter and with especial .