By Jatin
I arrived in Iran on 5 June with one goal in mind — to summit Mount Damavand, Asia’s highest volcano. After days of climbing and acclimatising, I was ready for the summit push. But as I reached the crucial final stage, the mountain threw everything at me: thunderstorms crashed around, fierce winds battered the slopes, and visibility dropped to almost nothing. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but safety came first. I made the difficult decision to turn back, just hours away from the peak.
Little did I know, my greatest challenge was still to come.
On Friday 13 June, I was woken by alarming news: Iran had launched missile strikes on Israel. The quiet adventure I had planned was shattered as the region erupted into open conflict.
Israel swiftly retaliated, launching over 50 airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites in Tehran in what was called “Operation Rising Lion.” Iran responded with waves of missiles and drones fired at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, causing civilian casualties on both sides. Official reports suggested that hundreds had died in Iran, many of them civilians, while Israeli casualties numbered in the dozens.
Within hours, Iran closed its airspace. My scheduled flight home was cancelled. Suddenly, I was no longer just a mountaineer — I was a man trapped in a war zone, forced to improvise a new kind of journey: escape.
What followed was a grueling 60-hour ordeal that tested every ounce of my resolve. With the unwavering support of my wife, family, and close friends working tirelessly behind the scenes, I navigated a labyrinth of obstacles. Emergency visas had to be secured at short notice. Border crossings required careful planning and nerve, as I dodged smugglers and paid officials to allow passage. I lugged heavy gear for kilometres across uncertain terrain and haggled with taxi drivers to find safe transport.
Throughout, I drew strength from knowing my loved ones had my back, coordinating logistics and offering crucial support. Planning became my lifeline — a strategy that allowed me to move with focus despite the chaos swirling around me.
Meanwhile, the conflict showed no signs of abating. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, issued stark warnings to Israel and its allies, declaring “the battle begins.” Israel vowed relentless strikes against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure until it was neutralised. The United States threatened potential direct involvement, demanding Iran’s unconditional surrender. Around the world, leaders scrambled to contain the crisis, with diplomatic efforts emerging even as oil markets surged on fears of wider regional instability.
In the face of this escalating war, my personal story became inseparable from the broader conflict. My descent from Damavand, initially a disappointment, had unexpectedly become the first chapter of a much greater test — one of survival in a rapidly deteriorating region.
This 60-hour journey was no longer just about adventure, but about resilience, courage, and the power of solidarity. It reminded me that sometimes, the greatest climbs we face are those thrust upon us — and with the support of those we love, even the most daunting battles can be met head-on.
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