Ashley Burke, Central Asia 2009

Central Asia 2009 - The Mountains of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan

Trip 1 - Fann Mountains, Tajikistan


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Mirali Pass and to 5200m on Chimtarga

	On July 6th we slogged with our heavy packs up the long slope to Mirali Pass. In this photo Mirali Pass is directly ahead, out of sight beyond the skyline.
	Eugene near the top of Mirali Pass.
	This is our highest camp in the Fann Mountains. At 5060m we scraped a level area of snow and setup the tent hard against the vertical wall of Mirali Peak. In this photo you can see the heavily corniced Mirali Pass directly behind the tent.
	This is the view from outside our tent on Mirali Pass.
	We had a high altitude cup of tea in the tent with a panoramic view right outside the tent door.
	After a cup of tea we set off on a side trip, crossing Mirali Pass and climbing towards the summit of Chimtarga.
	We reached the altitude of 5200m on Chimtarga and then looked back down at Mirali Pass. In this photo Mirali Pass is in the foreground, our tent is near the tip of the pyramidal block of rock that forms Mirali Peak.
	After pitching the tent we climbed to 5200m on Chimtarga, above Mirali Pass. This is the view from that point.

Sunset from Mirali Pass, 5200m

	A change in the weather occurred as the evening drew near. Dust from the Afghanistan desert carried by the wind from the south caused a haziness in the air.
	A full moon rose, but unfortunately it was almost completely covered by cloud.
	Despite the dust in the air, the sunset was beautiful.
	Despite the dust in the air, the sunset was beautiful.
	Mirali Pass in the soft evening light.
	Evening views from Mirali Pass.
	Sunset from Mirali Pass.
	Sunset from Mirali Pass.
	Sunset from Mirali Pass.
	Sunset from Mirali Pass.
	Sunset from Mirali Pass.

Return to Chimtarga Pass and Camp on Chimtarga Pass (4740m)

	On the day after our high camp on Mirali Pass it was still hazy. We retraced our route back into the Zindon valley and thence back to Chimtarga Pass. This photo was taken at the beginning of the long slog up Chimtarga Pass.
	The long climb out of the Zindon Valley towards Chimtarga Pass. Energia, the moutain we climbed earlier in the trip is the peak on the right.
	There was cloud but no wind and reasonable visibility so we decided to camp right on top of Chimtarga Pass. This view is of the peak of Zamok from Chimtarga Pass.
	A hazy evening. Views from Chimtarga Pass.
	This is our high camp on Chimtarga Pass. Here our tent is only about 20m from the pass itself.
	Here I am on Chimtarga Pass, watching the sunset.
	Watching the sunset, Chimtarga Pass.
	Myself on Chimtarga Pass.

Down, All the way back to Vertical Alaudin Base Camp

	On July 8th it was still very hazy due to dust blown in from Afghanistan. As we descended towards Mutny Lakes, here are the views.
	On July 8th it was still very hazy due to dust blown in from Afghanistan. As we descended towards Mutny Lakes, here are the views

Back at Vertical Alaudin Base Camp Where There are Birds and Flowers

	July 9th was my last day in the Fann Mountains and apart from a 3 hour walk to Alaudin Pas, it was spent at base camp. After a week spent high in the mountains among the ice and rock, here I was back among green fields, running water and flowers. All the photos in this section were taken from around Vertical Alaudin base camp.
	Flowing water! Not ice!
	Flowers around base camp.
	Flowers around base camp.
	Flowers around base camp.
	Flowers around base camp.
	Flowers around base camp.
	Flowers around base camp.
	Alaudin Lakes.
	It was sad to leave these beautiful mountains and my new friends at Vertical Alaudin base camp. From left to right: 1. My driver, who drove the difficult roads from the Uzbek border to base camp and back. 2. Eugene, my guide and leader in the Fann Mountains. 3. Mrs Rufina, who runs the base camp and who became "my Russian Mum". 4. The local lady who cooked some great meals at base camp. 5. Aleksandr (Sasha), another guide at Vertical Alaudin base camp. 6. (I don't know this guy!!)

End of Trip 1

Click Next to go to Trip 2 - Peak Lenin

Page created 22 Aug 2009, last updated 22 Aug 2009.


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