Iraqi Special Forces wins 1st place in climbing competition in Iran
Mount Damavand in the Iranian province of Mazandaran, located along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. Photo: ITTO
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Special Forces team won first place in a mountaineering championship in Iran.
The Iraqi Special Forces and teams from 15 countries participated in a climbing competition to reach the highest peak of Mount Damavand in the Iranian province of Mazandaran, located along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
Damavand summit height estimates range from 18,400 feet (5,610 meters) to 18,600 feet (5,670 meters), and it is the highest peak in Iran and the Middle East.
The mountain hosts thousands of hiking enthusiasts from Iran and other countries who come to enjoy hiking, mountain trekking, ski touring, and air sports such as paragliding.
During climbing season, around 3,000 climbers seek to reach the top every weekend, but many fail. Some unprofessional climbers get injured, others get altitude sickness or fall to their deaths into deep valleys.