Sabalan

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Sabalan
Mount Sabalan, july 2006
Elevation	4,811 metres (15,784 feet)
Location	Ardabil, Iran
Prominence	3,283 m
Coordinates	38.27° N 47.84° E
Type	Stratovolcano
Age of rock	Pre-Holocene
Last eruption	unknown
Easiest route	hike

Sabalan (in Persian سبلان Sabalân ;also called Sāvālān in Azerbaijani) is an inactive volcano in Ardabil province of Iran. Sabalan is the third highest mountain of Iran and a permanent lake has formed at the summit. Sabalan possesses a ski resort (Alvares) and different touristic areas such as the Sarein(Sareyn)spa.

The mountain is known for its beautiful vistas, including the Shirvan gorge, where few climbers ever venture.

A moderate degree of fitness puts the climber at ease to climb it (Class 2).

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. Almost any young person would be willing to be a guide and will appreciate his climbing expense (usually including a taxi to the base camp) covered. Adequate climbing equipment can be purchased in Ardabil or Tehran.

The climbing surface includes (Class 2) rocks of various sizes, pebbles and soil. The climb from the base camp starts easy, becomes challenging in mid way until the climber reaches a low grade climb near the top. The lake on the top remains frozen except for about four weeks in late July to early August.

Combined Serbian/Iranian expedition at lake on the top

Some climbers have start by driving to hot water springs of Meshkin Shehr, where they start their climb. This climb takes about two days, reaching to the base camp on the first days. Others take one of the Iranian made Land Rover taxis to the base camp, early in the morning, and climb the mountain in one day, returning to the hot water springs by the same Land Rover taxis by late afternoon or early evening. 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.

A visit to Sheikh Safi Al-Din Ardebili mausoleum and masjid in Ardabil is a must. In 2004 - 2006, the area around the masjid was being renovated. The gardens are frequented by elderly Ardabilis. Across the street from Sheikh Safi, one can buy honey and cream produced on Sabalan.

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.