"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد IV .١٩١٧" [و‎‎٩‎٠] (٥٣٠/١٨٤)

ROUTE 80
175
Miles from
Jeziret-
ibn-
'Omar
9|
11
12|
13A
15i
and joining the main route at m. 22. The ascent at
first is rough and stony, but after the summit is
reached there is not much difficulty. It was said that
a good road could be improvised in a short time on
this line. It passes through fairly wooded country.
The W.O. map of 1901 shows this track as practicable
for wheeled traffic.
Nurdush. Su (alt. 1,450 ft.), which emerges from a rocky
gorge to N. Cross by a stone bridge of 40-ft. span and
turn up the 1. bank by a narrow track through irrigated
cultivation and fruit gardens. Almonds, figs, walnuts,
mulberries, olives, vines, and pomegranates are grown,
and wheat, Indian corn, tobacco, melons, beans, cotton,
and other crops on the higher slopes.
The opposite bank of the Nurdush Su is a bare rocky cliff
rising some 1,500 ft.
Shakh (alt. 1,960 ft.), 230 houses of Hartoshi Kurds, and
30 of Nestorians, situated at the end of a rocky spur
400 ft. above the stream. Continue up the valley follow
ing a 4-ft. ledge obstructed by jutting boulders and low
cliffs. The stream here is a torrent in a narrow gorge.
Gulijuna (alt. 1,900 ft.). A few huts at the mouth of
a gorge on r.
Pir-i-Ghelli (alt. 1,910 ft.). Ford the stream. In 1888
the bridge had lately been destroyed, and unless it
has been rebuilt this route is practically impassable.
Beyond the bridge the route follows a 2-ft. zigzag track
*up a stony hill-side.
The valley bends sharply to E. and the track becomes
easier, passing through a wood of oak, sycamore, and
ash trees. A foot-track branches off here over the hill
to the N. to join the alternative track from Serau (see
note at m. 5^ above). QaVali Baginuk on the hills
to W. and Qal'ali Kelhuk on the E. are the remains
of forts placed to bar the passage down the pass. They
are now of little value. The valley narrows to 30 yds.,
and a narrow difficult ledge is followed round some
jutting spurs. This is a pass known as the Tang-i-
Ghelli.
The valley opens out, the track becomes easy. To SE. the
Judi Dagh is visible, thickly covered with oaks.