Cheekha Dar (Kurdish: Çîxî Derê, Sorani Kurdish: چیخی دەرێ), which means Black Tent, is the local Kurdish name for the mountain, located in Kurdistan Region of Iraq, currently thought to be the highest in Iraq. It is claimed to be 3,611 m (11,847 ft) high in the CIA World Factbook.[2] It is 6 km (3.7 mi) north of the village of Gundah Zhur and is on the border with Iran.
| Cheekha Dar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,611 m (11,847 ft)[1] |
| Prominence | 1,575 m (5,167 ft)[1] |
| Listing | Country high point Ultra |
| Coordinates | 36°46′36″N 44°55′07″E / 36.77667°N 44.91861°E[1] |
| Geography | |
  Cheekha Dar Location of Cheekah Dar in Kurdistan-Iraq(on the Iranian border) | |
| Location | Iran–Iraq border |
| Parent range | Zagros Mountains |
It was climbed in November 2004 by English explorer Ginge Fullen, who recorded a GPS reading of 3,628 meters at the coordinates in the adjacent table. The location is consistent with SRTM and Russian topographic mapping, although these sources are more consistent with the CIA height.
The first reported winter ascent was by Jonathan Beswick and Matthew DuPuy on March 18, 2011. The expedition GPS confirmed 3,611 m (11,847 ft). There is a danger of land mines in the area on approach between Hamilton Road and the village of Gundah Zhur. Some fields are marked by red, triangular signs with skull and crossbones. It is possible to find Kurdish military escorts through this area in the town of Choman.
A nearby peak called Halgurd, at 36°44′N 44°52′E / 36.733°N 44.867°E, is thought to be 3,607 m (11,834 ft) high, and was previously thought to be Iraq's highest mountain.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Cheekha Dar, Iraq/Iran". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2014-05-26.
- ^ "The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency". www.cia.gov. Archived from the original on June 13, 2007.
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