Editing Sabalan (section)

==Climbing==
The climbing surface includes rocks of various size (Class 2 [[scrambling]]), and a moderate degree of fitness is required to climb it. The climb from the base camp starts easy, becomes challenging midway, then eases in gradient near the top. The lake on the top remains frozen except for about four weeks in late July to early August.

Some climbers start by driving to [[hot springs]] of Meshgin Shahr, where they start their climb. This climb takes about two days, reaching the base camp on the first day. Others take a taxi to base camp early in the morning and climb the mountain in one day. In 2006, there was talk of improving the road to the base camp. If this is done, a regular car should be able to make it to the base camp during the climbing season. The road goes through multiple nomadic encampments of shepherds.

One or two days of [[acclimatization]] in [[Tehran]] or [[Ardabil]] may be advisable. [[Mountaineering]] has been popular among the youth in Iran. On a Friday during the [[climbing]] season (late June to mid-August), one may find hundreds of people on the mountain. Guides can also be found in Ardabil. Adequate climbing equipment can be purchased in Ardabil or Tehran.