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Sabalan
(photographer unknown)
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Sabalan
15817 ft (4821 m)
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Location: |
Northwestern Iran |
Lat / Long: | 38.3° N, 47.9° E |
Volcanic Type: | Eroded stratovolcano |
Volcanic Status: | Extinct |
First Ascent: | |
First Ski Descent: | |
Skiable Vertical: | perhaps over 10000 ft (3000 m) |
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Sabalan is another eroded stratovolcanic massif in northwestern Iran, similar to its neighboring
volcano Sahand which is located about 90 miles (140 km) to the
southwest. Sabalan is even older and more eroded than Sahand, yet far exceeds it in height reaching
nearly 16000 ft, which makes its the second highest volcano (and third highest peak overall) in the
extremely mountainous nation of Iran. Sabalan's height coupled with moderately large winter snowfalls
maintain seven glaciers among the ridges and peaks of its summit area, along with several large rock
glaciers. The first ski descent of Sabalan was claimed only a few years ago, and it is clear that the
popularity of this area with ski mountaineers will only continue to grow. The summit of Sabalan
towers more than 11000 ft (3400 m) above the city of Ardabil, which is only 25 miles (40 km) to the
east. Access is very direct either from dirt roads leading west from Ardabil or from other roads which
pass along both the north and south flanks of the volcanic massif.
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More photos and info about routes, access, etc. may be added in the future ...
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Topographic map of Sabalan (1:500,000 scale) from
Tactical Pilotage Chart G-5A
<click to enlarge>
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