"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد IV .١٩١٧" [ظ‎‎٩‎٥] (٥٣٠/١٩٥)

50
iles f;
Sha
tak:
o
3
5
8
11
13
16
19
23
25
38
LAND ROUTES
Shattakh. Follow the r. bank of the Shattakh stream by
a metalled road, 24 to 30 ft. wide, ditched and with cul
verts ; easy gradient. The valley is 200 to 300 yds. wide,
with steep slopes of stony clay dotted with a few trees.
A few villages on terraces high up to W. At 1^ m. pass
a narrow valley with steep, craggy sides, coming from
NW., up which there is a track to Mukus. Valley
narrows.
Cross to 1. bank by a 25-fi bridge of wooden beams laid on
fascines, near to which the stream is easily fordable
except when the river is in high flood. Large springs
on r. bank, where also there are steep cliffs. Ashgonz,
an Armenian village of 15 houses, is passed near here;
it appears to be on 1. bank. The stream is crossed and
recrossed, and large springs are passed on both banks.
Sevdigin, an Armenian village on r. bank, from which
a stony, difficult track leads to Mukus. Above the village,
on the r. bank of the stream, is a large spring called
Kani Spi, of great volume in the early part of the year,
but dry in autumn. Low oaks and scrub are passed,
the well-constructed road following a steadily ascending
gradient, exposed to avalanches in the spring.
Pass an important valley from NW., up which runs the
alternative track to Shattakh from Van 81 b).
Valley now opens out to a broad col -l^ln. broad, the
G-urandesht plain, bordered by steep, stony hills, which
is crossed by an easy gradient: the Kurdish village of
Ctnraudesht lies 1^ m. to 1., the residence (1900) of
Sheikh Hasan, a man of much influence.
Pass Avzeni, ^ m. to 1. Road enters the basin of Lake
Van and descends easily over clay and stones through
bare hills.
Gurandesht Khan, a useful shelter in the winter. Descend
more steeply by a fairly easy gradient into a narrow,
stony valley, which gradually opens out.
Havatzor plain. Eoad is here metalled throughout.
Qizil Tash, Armenian village of 60 houses. Eoad from
Bitlis to Van {Boute 89 a, m. 75) is met.
Engil bridge over the Khoshab Su.
Van.
p
! ...