'Military Report on Russian Turkistan or Central Asia' [‎30r] (64/168)

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in route 29) the distance is about 297 miles.
Dr. Sven Hediu marched over this route which
does not, however, compare favourably with
the last mentioned.
(31) From Margilan a route runs to Tashkurghan via
Uch Kurghan, Tenghiz pass (11,BOO feet).
Daraut-Kurghan, Tersagar pass (12,000 feet,
Altyn Mazar, Takhta Koram pass (15,480
feet), and the Kudura river, a distance of
about 22() miles ; or, to the Khargosh ravine,
where route 29 (a) is met, via the Karabulak
pass (14,460 feet), Karabulak, on the Murghab
river. Marchenai pass (15,700 feet), and the
Yeshikkul lake at Somatash (a distance of
some .300 miles). This is a mountainous
loute of great difficulty, as may be readily seen
from the number and altitude of the passes to
be negotiated.
(32.) hrom Osh to Kashgar, via (iulcha, Sufikurghan,
over the Taldik pass* (12,070 feet), Irkeshtam
(the Russian frontier post), and thence by
Ulukchat (the Chinese frontier), and Ak
Salar, a distance of 252 miles. The road is
fit for wheels between Osh and the Taldik
pass, and might be made so with little labour
between the latter and Irkeshtam.
(33.) From Narynsk (vide post road No. 2 (a) above)
to Kashgar via the Chadirkul lake, over the
Turgat pass (12,760 feet), and Chakmak, a
distance of 213 miles.
This is the main caravan route, and is
traversed throughout by camels. It is prac
ticable all the year round, the most difficult
season being in summer, owinjr to swollen
streams. It is said that carts and sledges are
used during the winter.
(a ) An alternative route runs eastward
°f that just mentioned from Narynsk, over
* The Shart Dawan (12,800 feet) ami Terek Hawaii (12 700
feet) are alternative tracks, b it fit for pack transport only.