'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia: About 1889-1890' [‎468v] (956/1486)

(Specially see Photos No. 13, 24, 29, 34, 36, 37, 42, 48, 50,51,52,
54 > 08, 90, 100). In fact the strip from the Parwez hill to the
Sabz-Kuh, made up of the inner slopes of the “ Outer range,” the
valleys between the two main ranges and both the slopes of the
“ Inner range” form a country totally different in aspect and climate
to the plateaus and level plains out of which it has been originally
heaved up. It is as fair a country as can be obtained in these
latitudes.
(n j Besides the Kuh-i-Rang there are a few other mountains that
deserve a word or two of special introduction. The “ Zard-Kuh,”
really Sard-Kuh (the, cold mountain) as the name implies, is cover-
ed with snow (on the north side) till late in the year. By the end
JMy, however, on all these hills, the snow lies but in patches and
probably before the new fall, has dwindled away except in the
highest sunless gorges and cracks. The Zard-Kuh, a long narrow
range, is exceedingly rugged and abrupt (a cretaceous outcrop on
a very large scale) on both sides, nearly without any vegetation,
borne of its peaks reach 13,000 feet (Photo No. 51). Next to it to
the south-east is the Isbiana ange, rather out of dressing, having
more of an easterly direction (Photo No. 21). It is really more of a
large spur^ 20 miles long, is narrow, rugged and bare on
all s id es The next section of the “ Inner range ” is the Kuh-i-Gerra.
1 his differs from the other two somewhat, being more rounded on
the crest line. It has a large double peak (one a cone) in the middle
ot its length and is a favorite resort on account of its pasturage. Its
altitude may be also just 13,000 feet.
The trace of the “ Inner range” now crosses the Kurang valley
and continues along the double range of the Sabz-Kuh (Green
range) and the Kuh-i-Kaller, which are united at their eastern ends.
1 he former has on its higher slopes the best pasturage in the coun
try. Its end is marked by a conspicuous peak, a notable land-
mark named Sultan Ibrahim (Photo No. 24), just over 12,000
teet. Ihe Kuh-i-Kaller is a few hundred feet higher and of a
more rugged and barren character especially on its southern face.
1 he report of coal being found here is doubted, as several of the
peaks climbed shewed no signs of any.
. T ° west of the Kuh-i-Rang, we find in the " Outer range”
the Kuh-i-Shahan (the mountain of Kings), and a magnificent
range it is, with an almost perpendicular drop of 3,000 feet to the
north. It is traditionally a resort of the Fasang (? a small Ibex)
and its crest, close to its summit of 12,800 feet, reached by a made
bridle path along which the most nervous and lazy royal sportsman
can ride without risk. The next range of note is the Kala Kuh
conspicuous by its erect and rugged peaks, the highest peaks visit
ed being 13,000 feet. The Kala Kuh is to Upper Elam what the