Iran | Alamut | Assassins

Wandered by Alamut, the old stronghold of the Nizari Ismailis, better known in the Occident as the Assassins. The fortress was founded in 1090 by Hassan-i Sabbah and lasted until 1256, when it was finally conquered by Khülegü Khan, grandson of Chingis Khan. 

Elburz Mountains west of Alamut (click on photos for enlargements)

The village of Gazor Khan on the left and the Alamut massif on the right

Sign welcoming tourists to Gazor Khan

The Alamut Massif

When we arrived at the village we were told by local people that there had been a big snow storm the week before and the backside of the massif was still covered with deep drifts. They claimed it was impossible to reach the fortress at the top. We decided to try anyhow and started up the first of the staircases leading to the summit.  We had not gone far when a group of Iranian tourists, three men and two women from Tehran, came stumbling down. They confirmed that it was impossible to reach the fortress because of the snow. This was quite a disappointment, considering that visiting the ruins of Alamut was one of my main reasons for coming to Iran.   

The first staircase. Although it does not look so daunting in this photo, it was actually quite treacherous. Above this staircase, the back side of the mountain was completely drifted shut.

The massif of Alamut in the foreground

Another view of the massif. The fortress buildings can just be seen at the top

Another view of the fortress at the top of the massif

Another view of the fortress at the top of the massif (middle of photo). The column-like structures on the snow covered ridge behind the massif look manmade, but actually they are natural rock formations. 

Mongolia | Zaisan Tolgoi | Seventh Nine Nine | Doviin Tolgoi Borlono

The Seventh of the so-called Nine-Nines—nine periods of nine days each, each period marked by some description of winter weather—began on February 14. The Seventh of the Nine-Nines is Doviin Tolgoi Borlono, the “time when the tops of the hills become brown.” It is still relatively cold,—18ºF at 4:oo AM with an expected high of 18ºF this afternoon,  but snow has melted off a lot of hilltops, including the top of Zaisan Tolgoi (Nobleman’s Hill),  the hill that gives my neighborhood its name. 

Zaisan Tolgoi

Mongolia | Zaisan Tolgoi | Sixth Nine-Nine | Zuraasan Zam Garnai

The sixth of the so-called Nine Nines—nine periods of nine days each, each period marked by some description of winter weather—begins February 5. This is Zuraasan Zam Garnai, the Time When the Trail of the Road Appears. This description would seem to indicate a slight warming from the previous Nine-Nines, a time when well-traveled trails become free from ice and snow. We did have a slight warm spell, with temperatures getting up to the high teens on some afternoons. At 4:00 AM today the temperature was —20ºF with a high of —4ºF expected this afternoon. 

Actually, in days past it has been warmer here than in the town nearest to my Summer Retreat in the Allegheny Mountains of Western Pennsylvania. 

Mongolia | Zaisan Tolgoi | Full Moon

The Full Snow Moon occurs here today at 6:09 AM. The Moon will be 230,536 miles from the Earth at this time. 

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac:

Other names for this month’s Moon have historically had a connection to animals. The Cree traditionally called this the Bald Eagle Moon or Eagle Moon. The Ojibwe Bear Moon and Tlingit Black Bear Moon refer to the time when bear cubs are born. The Dakota also call this the Raccoon Moon; certain Algonquin peoples named it the Groundhog Moon, and the Haida named it Goose Moon. Another theme of this month’s Moon names is scarcity. The Cherokee names of Month of the Bony Moon and Hungry Moon give evidence to the fact that food was hard to come by at this time.

Lunar Forecast for tonight:

Starts Feb 2, 2026 06:20 PM

Ends Feb 3, 2026 07:40 PM

Undertaking:

After a stormy second phase of the moon, on the sixteenth day is a day of peace and tranquility. It is not necessary to begin large and complex affairs that require great effort. Devote this day to beginning uncomplicated small projects. With the new lunar phase it is good to introduce new habits. Start changing your schedule to suit your biorhythms and see how your productivity changes. You can get good results if you start working on your health: signing up for a workout, starting a treatment regimen, etc. Avoid losing sense of calm and balance. Avoid negative thoughts, aggression, screaming and anger, hate and jealousy, being provocative and loud. Animal food is not recommended. Sex is not recommended.