"الطرق في بلاد فارس. (المجلد I.) (خراسان وسيستان.)" [ظ‎‎١‎٠‎٢] (٥٣٦/٢٠٩)

Koute No. IX — contd.
and ascend hill by steep stony path ; gradient about 1 in 6,
with some bits near the top I in 4. Field guns could be got to
the top of the pass, though not easily. At 1 mile top of the pass,
3,200 feet. Old Persian watch towers and fort on top, now in
ruins. From the top of the pass road goes E. Descend along
the side of the mountain by easy foot-path, gradient about
1 in 6 or less. This path is only practicable for horses, and for
camels with difficulty. At 2 miles turn ENE.; then NE. by E.
at 3| miles, where the path descends into a narrow ravine which
becomes a winding defile with precipitous sides at the 6th mile.
Defile, called the Dehaneh-i-Chakudar, continues to 10th mile.
Aneroid elevation here 2,000 feet. Emerge from the mouth of
the defile NNE. into open grassy valley. Change to ENE.
at the 12th mile and move across lumpy rolling downs with no
gradient to speak of. Good grazing in the spring. Change
direction NE. at the 15th mile and E. by N. at the 20th mile.
If following the direct road to Sarakhs, which is a clearly defined
track, continue NE., as this last turn is made only to read Chah
Haji Ramzan. All open undulating ground, grass country,
with numerous small hills, w r hich can be either crossed or avoided.
Continue E. by N. until Chah Haji Ramzan is reached. After
leaving the mouth of the defile, troops of all arms could move
easily across the open plain, v 7 hich is firm earth, gravel, few
stones, and no sand. Water and camping ground are available
at the 6th mile, where there is a spring and a stream affording
about 600 gallons per hour. It runs about J mile and then
disappears ; this same water crops up again at the 10th mile,
where it affords about 1,000 gallons per hour and runs for about
200 yards ; it crops up again at the 12th mile, v 7 here it affords
about 500 gallons per hour and runs for about 100 yards. Good
camping ground for a force of any size anyw r here between 10th
and 12th mile, near any of these springs. Water is said never
to dry up in this place, the Dehaneh-i-Chakudar.
Water .-—There are 6 wells at Chah Haji Ramzan ; the water
is found in an open shallow trough-like valley or depression
about -} mile long. The bottom of the valley is about 40 feet
below r the hills on each side of it. Water at 25 feet to 30 feet
below the surface of the ground. These w r ells are only used by
shepherds and slit up if not constantly used. They are said
to dry up in the dry season.