"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٢‎٥‎٠] (٥٤٢/٢٥٩)

250
LAND ROUTES
Miles from
Kut el-
Amara
The Vali has here 2 houses and 3 (forts) situated in
gardens. During his stay here in the summer months,
his followers camp in booths of boughs and branches.
For the route from Deh Bala to Kirmanshah, see
vol. iii, no. 104.
In May 1916 a sotnia of Russian Cossacks (110 men with 10 pack-
horses) rode from Mahidesht on the Kirmanshah—Baghdad road
(vol. iii, Route 28 a, m. 205|) to Palanglr Zailait (see first note at
end of this route), and from Palanglr to Charduvar by the route
described below, from Routes in vol. iii, no. 104. Between
Charduvar and Deh Bala the Russians seem to have followed more
or less the route described in Rou vol. iii, no. 94, stage 8.
According to Russian officers, the Tang-i-Duarnan' there mentioned
is called the Tang-i-Ghunyan. The section of road from this
to Deh Bala (about 20 m.) was found very difficult. The
bought supplies from villages en but this would be impossible
for a large force. Good water and grazing obtainable throughout.
Fuel from the hills. For the rest of the Russians' route to Deh
Bala see Route 8 e.
From Deh Bala to Asyab-i-Musa (general direction NKE. to
m. 120|, then E.) the road has to cross a pass (Gardan-i-
Akhur Safid, or, at its summit, Gardan-i-Ganbarra;
8,050 ft.) which is impassable for wheels and difficult for
pack transport. A gorge at m. 128 might be impassable
after heavy rain.
Asyab-i-Musa (alt. 4,350 ft.). Supplies very scarce. One
water-mill. 10 people of the Tulabi tribe. Nomad tents.
From Asyab-i-Musa to Charduvar the general direction is E.
for 6 m. and then NE. The summit of the Kuh-i-Laina
is reached (3f m.) by an easy ascent, followed by a diffi
cult descent, very narrow, steep, and slippery after rain:
passable only for pack transport.
Charduvar (alt. 3,450 ft.), 75 people of Tulabi tribe. Water
in small quantities from spring near tents. Supplies in
small quantities from nomad tents. Food is scarce, but
obtainable from NE. slopes of hills crossed in next stage.
Between Charduvar and Shalikhush the route crosses (at
m. 148) the Gardan-i-Vardalan (alt. 5,800 ft.) by a very
difficult and steep ascent, followed by a gradual descent,
easy for pack transport. (Directions: NNW. to summit of
Gardan-i-Vardalan, descent ESE. ; then, after crossing
a gardan at m. 149|, NNE. W., NW., and NNE.). The