Met quite a few Iranian climbers - one said he'd not been climbing very long and so could only do 5.12 (!). The next guy I spoke to turned out to be the Iranian champion or something - he is meant to be coming with us to Bisoton - he's recommended some 5.13 (!). Nice to chat to somebody about trad. climbing too. 7 am and we are about to set off on some long (at least 12 hour) drive to Bisoton. Should be good since we are planning to have three full days on the rocks there.Initial impressions of Iran: colder than Turkey; lots of police stops; standard of living seems better than Turkey - difficult to judge and early days of course - but last night we drove past some impressive sculpture etc.
This place (Orumiyeh) looks like something of a metropolis. Six lane highways and mountains in the distance. Early morning sunlight. No breakfast. 20 degrees C. 10:30 am and stopped for an hour in Mahabad; lots of interest in us from friendly locals. Must be about fifty people here. Wandered around the bazaar; chatted with locals - I (half jokingly) mentioned tea - two cups appeared (I was with Simon). Suspect sugar is expensive here - the guy had pieces wrapped in paper in his pocket. On the move again; Froggatt-like gritstone outcroppings all over the place. Speed bumps. 28 degrees C, but certainly doesn't feel hot. Fasten seat belts signs and good quality roads. Much traffic. Three-wheeled cart things with 16 horse power engines and exposed rotating machinary. 
Dust. Sheep herds by the side of the road. 3:30 pm. A lot more desert-like here, with flat, rolling hills. Dry heat, 29 degrees. On the road towards Sanadaj.6:30 pm Failed to find any internet in Sanadaj; mobile phone not operative. Hot: now 34 degrees. Soon we depart from our first climbing venue in Iran: Bisotun; tourist guidebook talks of 'the immense rock-face'...sound promising.
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