"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد III. ١٩١٧" [‎٢‎٧‎٦] (٤٣٢/٢٨٥)

276
Miles from
Raniyeh
27i
27A
31i
82i
32i
33
84i
36^
36|
37i
38^
38|
40i
LAND KOUTES
»Summit, 5,940 ft. This pass is closed for three months in
the year, from the middle of December to the middle of
March, by 3-4 ft. of snow. Steep range to E., a long
spur from the Qandll Dagh called the Nuchewan or
Nalkewan Dagh.
Good grass in the uplands in summer.
Large spring. Descend a bare stony valley, 300-400 yds.
wide, bordered by rocky ridges.
Track follows a stream formed by the overflow of the
spring.
Cross stream from a narrow gorge on 1. which rises in
a high ridge m. distant. Very rough going. Alt
5,380 ft.
Cross another ravine from 1.
Follow a narrow 2-3 ft. ledge for m. The stream is below
to r. A few low shrubs and trees.
Descend by short steep zigzags into the stream-bed.
Eough going.
Bend to 1., crossing a valley from the SW. with a stream.
Valley now 600 yds. wide, bordered by crags. It is now
called Nalkewan Valley.
Distances very doubtful.
Follow a path through a thicket. Grass more plentiful,
and trees larger as descent is made.
Cross mouth of ravine from 1.
Valley now 400-500 yds. wide.
Ascend a neck, leaving the stream, which enters a narrow
wooded gorge. Easy gradient, but rough track.
Summit of small col, 5,210 ft. Enter another valley
300-400 yds. wide.
Descend through thick forest with much underwood. Track
obstructed by boulders. Valley 100 yds. broad. Track
follows a stream-bed.
Alt. 4,620 ft. Better going.
Eound a spur from the r.
Traverse a forest of fine oaks. Some pears, hawthorns, and
low shrub. Good grass. Valley 200 yds. wide. The
range to r. is more sloping than that to 1., which
consists of vertical sheets of limestone cut up by craggy
glens.
Eound craggy spurs from 1. Valley gradually opens out.
Cross rocky spur. Alt. 3,770 ft. Valley f m. wide.