'ROUTES IN PERSIA. SECTION II.' [‎22] (47/122)

22
Route No. 15—
distance in -
No.
miles.
of
Names of stages.
«tage.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
Ebmaeks.
Kueeuck
12
10
11
12
Rawanduz
Deegala.
Ratan
Ratat
Khelesissae
Soj Bulak
14.
17
111
128
135
18
27
24
153
180
204
ascent to 2,650 feet, gain comparative level, a little
cultivation and a few oaks about. Up to 12 miles
wind alon^ gradually ascending valley, and last
half mile up hill-side to
97 Kurruck, 3,200 feet. Descent of 1,000 feet to
bed of stream, and J mile from foot enter Si
Dergan pass, after passing villages of Khalif
and Koniatman further south. For first 1J miles
after crossing by a brick bridge, path winds along
side brawling stream, through splendid gorge,
cliffs 1,500 feet overhead, and fine oaks along
banks. It then (just opposite to where the Ea-
wanduz Chai joins former stream, and the two
united disappear northwards through a tremen
dous chasm) turns straight up the cliffs to the
right (south), and after a narrow zigzag ascent
by a solidly constructed but difficult path, or
almost staircase of slippery marble boulders, for
1,000 feet, lands you on crest of range in an oak
forest 3,475 feet. This pass, most difficult for
pack animals, can be, it is said, turned from the
south in the direction followed by line of tele
graph. From crest descend a couple of miles, and
crossing mountain stream, which cuts through
the rocks to the north, again ascend a barren glen
for a mile, where vineyards and cultivation meet
you, and gradually descending for another If
miles, find the roofs of Rawanduz.
Rawanduz. From here the route runs up the left
bank of the Rawanduz Chai for o miles, then as
cend minor valley to south-east, steep rise at end
to
Dergala (3,800 feet), picturesque village, then de
scend a valley nearly east through forest ; cross
stream at Tchokiskin, cross some hills and de
scend to the Rawanduz Chai, which is forded,
ascend right bank and up steep hill to
Rayan. Much cultivation on terraces. Then high
above right bank of stream, wooded hills,
descending at 8 miles and fording stream. More
open valley, villages and cultivation ; flocks of
sheep; pa«s village of Durban, and at 17 miles
recross the stream, now a mere brook, and turn
to left to
Rayat, the Turkish frontier station (4,850 feet).
Four miles beyond this is crossed the watershed The boundary between adjacent drainage basins.
between the Rawanduz Chai and the Little Zab,
and descends into the Little Zab Valley, pass seve
ral villages and reach
Khelesissar. From here it is 24 miles to
Suj-Bulak.