Downhill Unicycling – Mount Damavand Iran

Here’s a fresh film from Sebastian Doerk with some epic one wheeled action…

Some call it ‘THE AXIS OF EVIL’; for me it’s the country with the most hospitable people I’ve ever met – Iran. And it hides one of the highest descents on this planet; the altitude difference of the summit of Mount Damavand is bigger than the difference from Mount Everest to its valley…

Would you have the balls to ride there?
On a unicycle?

In Persian mythology Zahhāk the dragon guards over Mount Damavand. In real life the Dragon Mountain doesn’t need a guard; the high altitude, slippery volcanic dust and extreme temperature changes take care of that. Even Reinhold Messner had to turn around once, but still it’s one of the few very high peaks on earth that can be ridden on one or two wheels from top to bottom.

Our little expedition lost its members rapidly; the camera was relayed to the remaining members. A broken leg knocked out cameraman one (me) and all I could do was explain my gear to the rest of the crew while a bunch of super-helpful Iranian hikers carried me down the mountain. Sherpas and friends became filmmakers, and hidden talent (our mountain guide Mohammad Hajabolfath) was discovered and promoted to head of photography. The film camera once more shifted hands on the way up when cameraman two suffered from altitude sickness. Sometimes working from 9 to 5 in a protected office has its appeal – but you can’t have an adventure without it being just a little bit dangerous, I guess.

Dave Anderson

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