SPONSORS
We have met many wonderful people in Iran. Among them a group of three travellers from Olomouc, another three member group of two boys and a girl from Jevicko, a group of six Spanish telemarkers and skialpinists, people from Germany and Austria, and obviously a lot of cool Iranians! Moreover, in Reineh we had met two Swiss boys on their one year long climbing journey via Greece, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and India!
Iran skiing 2004
Iran skiing 2004 is the sixth expedition of 155. mountaineering club Vsetin. After Pamiro-Alaj trips in 1999, 2000, and 2001, we travelled to Kamchatka-peninsula in 2002 and 2003, and finally, this year to Iran. All expeditions are connected with ski-alpinism, snowboarding, and other snow and ice based activities.
Czech exploratory expedition "Iran skiing 2004" was focused on the mountain range Alborz that is situated north from the Iran's capital Teheran. Why exploratory? The answer is quite simple. On one side, Italians, Frenchs, Germans, and ski-alpinist from other nations have been exploring fantastic possibilities of backcountry and extreme skiing in Iran for many years.
On the other hand, till now, from the former Czechoslovakia only a group led by Simon Budsky (other members Tomas Kolar - both from the Mountaineering club Tigi-Shu, and David Sima from the Mountaineering club Banka Praha), had visited Iran in January 2003. They suceeded in climbing with crampoons Mt. Damavand (5671 m) in bad weather (strong wind, temperature at the summit approximately -35 Centigrades) and skied down from the altitude 4800 m. For a pity, they could not ski higher due to the absence of skiable snow. David Sima and his companions also made several first Czech ski descents from peaks around 3800-3900 meters.
After returning to the Czech Republic at the airport
Ruzyne. From left: Karel "Ramecek"
Torac, Petr "Drabix" Drabek, Petr "Hrib" Adamek, and Jan "palic" Pala.
Our group consisting of members of 155. mountaineering club Vsetin was motivated by the status of Damavand too. It is the highest active vulcano in Euroasia, so that after two trips to Kamchatka with the first Czech ski descents from six vulcanos including the highest one - Kluchevskaja sopka (4750 m) we wanted to be the first Czechs with skis at the highest Euroasia's active vulcano. Moreover, David Sima maintained that in Alborz mountain range there are excellent conditions for ski-alpinism.
Looking through Internet, polite talking with David Sima, Michal Filippi, and other marvellous people give us some essential information about Iran. Applying for visa and reservating of plane ticket by Asiana - we chose the Russian company Aeroflot - enabled us flew off from Prague on the Sunday morning of April 18th, 2004.
WE REALLY ENJOYED SKIING IN IRAN MOUNTAINS!
History of the trip 2004:
- Monday 19 April - landing in Teheran, sightseeing in the capital of Iran
Classic view of Teheran with mountains on the background.
- Tuesday 20 April - Thursday 22 April - aclimatization for the altitudes around 4000 m, ski-alpinism around the ski resort Dizin
- Friday 23 April - waiting for good weather in Teheran
- Saturday 24 April - transport to Reineh
No-problem taxi driver took four fully equipped men with
skis and backpacks from Teheran to Reineh.
- Sunday 25 April - climbing up to second shelter 4150 m, from approx. 3100 m on skis
- Monday 26 April - climbing up Mt. Damavand: Jan Pala, Petr Drabek, and Karel Torac on skis to the summit. Petr Adamek left skis next to sulfor furmarole field 300 m under the summit, and the rest of climb he made on crampoons. First three guys partly destroyed skins from this point to the summit. In fact, during the descent all destroyed ski bottoms from the summit under the sulfor field. Last night at the second shelter
- Tuesday 27 April - a bad weather, a group of six Spanish telemarkers and skialpinists (including two girls) started at 6:30 for the summit. We descended on skis to the first shelter, transport to Reineh, hot springs in Ab Akar, dinner
Hot spring with temperature 39 C near Reineh.
- Wednesday 28 April - transport to other part of Alborz mountain, various climbs and ski descents from the peaks 3050-3900 m. We have met again the group of Spanish telemarkers and skialpinists here. Bouldering, rock climbing (one three rope route UIAA III to VI-) and cascade waterfall.
Waterfall Seven Cascades.
- Monday 3 April - flew off Teheran via Moscow to Prague.