The Specific of Tourist Activities and Physical Effort on the Southern Face of Damavand Mountain (Iran, Alborz Mountains)

Abstract

"Mount Damavand is part of the 7th Volcano Circuit and is located in the central-southern part of the Alborz Mountains in Iran, 70 km north of Tehran. Due to its altitude of 5610 m, the mountain is a challenge for climbers and imposes a series of atmospheric conditions that induce certain physical stresses during the ascent to the top. The standard route is located on the southern face of the mountain and leaves from the village of Polour to two camps, Goosfand Sara (3000 m) and Bargah Sevom (4200 m). The access to the first camp can be done by car, and from there to the second camp on foot, the luggage being transported by mules by the locals. In the second camp, Bargah Sevom, is a modern stone refuge, which belongs to the Iranian Mountaineering Federation. Sports activities take place in two major stages: acclimatization and climbing to the top, for which at least 2-3 days are allocated. The present study, carried out on the occasion of a scientific, and sports expedition, aims to analyze the organization of tourist activities, the attractive potential and the peculiarities of the effort on the southern face of the mountain, between the altitudes of 3000 m and 5610 m. Keywords: seven volcanoes circuit, mountaineering, mountain leisure, heart rate."