Master Nominee – Mountain Protection Commission of IMSCF (I.R. Iran Mountaineering and Sport Climbing Federation)

OVERVIEW

Over the past few decades many mountain shelters across Iran have turned into dustbins due to bad operation, lack of culture and environmental information among mountaineers, and the lack of repair or reconstruction systems. To counter these developments the Mountain Protection Commission of the IMSCF has started a long-term project to restore these mountain shelters with the purpose of avoiding total destruction and to use thee for mountain protection activities in the future.

Vision, goals and objectives
In the last three decades, Iranian mountains host many shelters that nowadays are useless and turn to big dustbins, due to bad operation, lack of wright culture and environmental information among mountaineers, no repair and reconstruction system, etc.

The Mountain Protection Commission of the IMSCF has started a long term plan for mountain shelters reconstruction following two main goals:
– Physical reconstruction avoiding the destruction.
– Use the shelters after construction as a base location for mountain protection activities.

In a first phase of the project, reconstruction will be carried out at 4 old shelters located in Damavand:
– South shelter located at 4200m (project almost finished)
– Two shelters in north face located at 3800m and 4800m
– North east shelter (Takht-e-Freidoon) located at 4250m

Project Objectives: Protecting the Damavand environment via a mountain protection team located in the shelter. Waste management system in the shelter via separation of wet and dry waste and carry it down to the village every day or week as needed. Using natural, environment friendly material. No use plastic dishes, bags etc. Promoting mountain eco loges and eco camps. Local economy support via use of local transport, local porters etc.

Expected implementation and outcomes
In phase 1, a 3D Max design will be drawn up. In phase 2: material will be carried to the shelters (including thermal and water resist woods, tools, etc.). In total this amounts to about 2500kg carried across 2 months. Furthermore, 2 seasons from June to August, will be used to reconstruct and repair the hut according to the 3D Max design. Phase 3 focuses on the operation. In phase 4 and after reconstruction, the shelters are used as a base location for mountain protection activities. Furthermore, the team promotes and encourages people to protect the mountain environment.

To discover more about the UIAA Mountain Protection Award please click here.

Please note that the content published in this article is courtesy of the Award nominee. The UIAA has made minor revisions to the original submission.