I started climbing 23 years ago and since then I have climbed many peaks. In Iran I have climbed Damarand (5671m), Alam Konh (4850m), Sabalan (4811m) among others. I  have also scaled Lenin Peak (7134m) in Kyrgyzstan.  I also do Rock Climbing and there are around 60 peaks in Iran above 4000m where we can do climbing.

I have already been to Nepal more than six times. The first time I came to Nepal was back in 2003 when I did 48 days of trekking to Everest Base Camp (EBC) and Annapurna Base Camp(ABC). Since 2004 I have been arranging my treks through Himalayan Glacier Trekking, one of the highly organized and professional trekking operators in Nepal.

I cannot forget the assistance provided by Himalayan Glacier Trekking in 2004. When my group was in Island Peak, one of my members was sick in Chokhung so I contacted HGT for Helicopter rescue. They promptly sent a helicopter in Dingboche. But sadly my friend could not make it in spite of our rescue efforts. Naba is a very professional and helpful person. I fully trust Himalayan Glacier and all its staffs. Manager Sagar Pandey is very cooperative and the service tariff is reasonable.

The same year I tried to scale Island Peak but was only able to reach up to the High Camp. In the meantime I also did Annapurna Sanctuary trek. The following year I brought a group of 10 Iranian tourists and we went Round Annapurna and ABC and did rafting over a period of 24 days.

This time I have come to Nepal with 9 tourists and we have successfully climbed the Island Peak (5,500m). The team also included 3 lady trekkers. The team did a trek to Gokyo Ri and climbed up to Kalapathar (5,545 m) and 5 of the members left for
Island Peak from Chokkong.

I have climbed Mera Peak too. Compared to Mera Peak, Island was a bit more technical and difficult. Mera largely involves climbing not requiring much technical coordination. It was little easy for us to climb Island Peak because the Sherpas fix the rope and they are there always to assist us. All Sherpas are highly competent and very easy to work with. For me this time acclimatization was quite o.k. though I come from a very low elevation country. I chose Island Peak because it is good for beginner climbers. Moreover it is easy and not that expensive. It is also of shorter duration since you can launch and come back from summit in two days.


Food and accommodation was up to the standard. Sometimes we had full board and sometimes we had to do with camping. Lodge accommodation in Everest is excellent and so is food and water. Our sherpa guides and porters took care of everything so we didn’t have to worry about hygiene and comfort.

Nepal is a small country but has most of the highest peaks in the world including 8 of the world’s highest. Pakistan don’t have porters but here in Nepal porters available.
I come to Nepal on and off for business and traveling. I have my own company in Iran called Aftab Trek and I also deal in trekking and climbing equipment. Currently I am the brand manager for 7 Gohar which provides technical equipment of high quality such as ice axe, crampons, tents, trekking shoes etc. If we have time we go sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Gorkha and Chitwan. We also go for rafting and never miss to go International Mountain Museum.

Autumn I will again be coming to Nepal in when I have plans to climb Ama Dablam. Ama Dablam is the “Arous” or the bride of the Himalayas. It is one of the most beautiful mountains.

 

Mr. Amir Hajjar Zarrin 

from Iran