Azita Akhtarkhavari, a Zoroastrian mountaineer, accompanied by a group of Sarkchal mountaineers, celebrated “Mehregan” at the height of 4811 meters on the summit of Sabalan.
On Friday, Mehr 9, 1400, Azita Akhtarkhavari and 26 other members of Sarkachal group climbed Sabalan, the third-highest peak in Iran. This young athlete talks about the two days climbing and celebrating Mehregan over Sabalan. The group led by Mr. Gholamreza Khalilabadi and accompanied by one of the Zoroastrian members named Armin Farazman, started off. On Thursday morning, at 8 o’clock, we set off from Azadi Square by bus to Shabil hot springs, and at about 7 p.m., we entered the Shabil tourist area. After arranging for the dormitory, we took rest. At 5 am we walked towards the Land Rovers with a day-bag and a whole lot of extra clothes. For several days, the weather forecast for Sabalan was sunny but with winds of 40 to 50 kilometers and 16 degrees minus zero. That’s why we rode in Land Rovers with one-day winter equipment. This transfer took about 2 hours. We started the climb at 6:45. The weather was like the first days of spring, but it was still very difficult to guide a team of 27 people with many new teammates who had the stress of not climbing and even the stress of freezing at higher altitudes.
But fortunately, the presence of experienced mountaineers in the team helped the supervisor to implement his decisions. There were few climbers on the path, and the higher we went and the higher the sun, the better and warmer the air became, to the point that the climbers continued their journey with a “base” mountaineering cover. They regretted why they had so many warm clothes in their bags and unused, but it has to be predicted. Members who could climb faster left the group behind and reached the summit at 10:30, and the second group reached the summit at 11:45, in pleasant weather. After resting for an hour and taking photos with Lake Sabalan in the background, we started the descent and reached Shabil hot springs at about 5 pm. Our hungry companions rushed to the only restaurant over there and the others took a dip in the hot spring pools. After nearly two hours, at the request of the patient driver, we all sat in the bus and reached Tehran at 6 am, where we all departed. I hope that we will get together again someday soon, and climb other peaks.
At the end, I would like to thank all the members who helped implement this program in the best possible way and with good memories. In the midst of the unity and joy that I found in this sincere group, and also on the occasion of Mehregan we celebrated my ascent to the 4811 high peak, and I offer this ascent to all my dear friends. I wish to thank friends, colleagues, and members of the Zoroastrian mountaineering group, Khoshrekab and the mountaineering group of the Oil Company, and the good friends of the Pendarenik group and the Badminton group of Zoroastrian children and teenagers for their loving messages that made my ascent delightful.
