Hiking: Where Solitude Meets Teamwork
For me, hiking transcended physical exercise; it became a test of perseverance and self-discipline. Though sports like basketball and handball are often seen as team activities, mountaineering, surprisingly, requires just as much camaraderie and collective spirit. This blend of personal challenge and teamwork is what captivated me. Here are five of my most cherished hiking experiences. Here are five of my most cherished hiking experiences.
Turning Back on Damavand: A Lesson in Discipline
September 2022, Elevation 5,609m
My final demanding climb before a severe back injury was Iran’s tallest mountain. This was the only hike where I didn’t reach the summit, turning back 150 meters below due to the mountaineering’s strict “2 PM rule” for safety. Though painful at the time, it taught me a vital lesson: principles and discipline matter more than short-term success.
Whispering Peaks: How Alam-Kuh’s Beauty Called Me Higher
August 2022, Elevation 4,850m
Following months of systematic training and successful ascents of lower-altitude peaks, I achieved my objective of summiting Iran’s second highest mountain. This expedition, which included an overnight stay on a stunning high-altitude plateau, stands among my most rewarding mountaineering experiences. The Iranian Mountaineering Federation officially certified this successful ascent.
Against the Clock: Ascending Mount Sabalan in half a day
July 2022, Elevation 4,811m
This remains one of my most challenging climbs: a half-day ascent of Mount Sabalan (4811m), Iran’s third-highest peak and my first time above 4000 meters. The expedition was complicated by poor scheduling from our climbing club, which delayed our arrival at base camp. Despite these setbacks, we completed an intensive summit push, and I earned official certification from the Iranian Mountaineering Federation.
Where Water Writes the Trail: A 30km Canyon Trek
March 2022
This challenging 30-kilometer single-day trek through Kol Kherson Gorge proved mountain hikes aren’t the only demanding walks. Navigating slippery river rocks with flowing water underfoot presented unique difficulties. Yet this became one of my most rewarding hikes, revealing the gorge’s spectacular geological formations and transforming my understanding of canyon landscapes.
Winter Ascent of Diwatseri Peak: A Harsher Mountain Face
February 2022, Elevation 3,620m
Diwatseri gave me my first taste of winter mountaineering – and what a taste it was! Waking to furious snowfall, every step upward became a battle against the elements. That day, the mountain showed me its frozen teeth, teaching me respect for winter’s raw power in ways no summer climb ever could.
