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-   -   Can anyone name this Kyrgyz pass? (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/northern-and-central-asia/can-anyone-name-kyrgyz-pass-70993)

JediMaster 25 Jun 2013 11:25

Can anyone name this Kyrgyz pass?
 
Location: N 41 56.851 E 077 22.059. Almost due south of the village of Tosor on the southern shore of Issyk Kul (Lake), Kyrgyzstan.

The road/track is marked on OSM but neither it or either of my paper maps give it a name. Can anyone tell me what its called? I suspect it may be named on a Russian/Trekking map that I don't have.

I rode east from Naryn to where the road/track divides. The left looping NW to return to the A365 and the right following the valley behind the mountains to the south of Issyk Kul. It was a cracking ride. Just a shame about the storm that had been taunting me for the previous two days!

I've posted a few photo's in case anyone recognizes it.

Thanks!

Adam

http://shortwayround.smugmug.com/pho...-LRNX48z-L.jpg

http://shortwayround.smugmug.com/pho...-2N5gd9v-L.jpg

http://shortwayround.smugmug.com/pho...-SptXqZS-L.jpg

http://shortwayround.smugmug.com/pho...-9hWB2tn-L.jpg

Chri8 25 Jun 2013 12:50

Must be Tozor Pass, I cycled it 4 years ago, there is a hot spring before you really get in the mountains and an eagle hunter lives there. Often used by herders and tourists.
We are just back after my hardest pass crossing ever (from Uzgen to Kosh Döbö, but only recommended by goot or horse)
The most beautiful of the kyrgyz passes until now has been Tengisbai, the northern part is not viable by vehicles, perhaps except some light trial bikes.
Christian

JediMaster 25 Jun 2013 15:28

The Tozor Pass it is then
 
Thanks Christian. The Tozor Pass it is then.

The pass itself isn't going to win any beauty prizes (not in Kyrgyzstan anyway!) but the scenery along the valley to Naryn on the south side was great. Everything from a hanging glacier to a narrow tree lined valley that could have been in the Canadian Rockies.

Sounds like you've had a good look around this region. Good on ya. So many (but not all!) cyclists travel across countries in relatively straight lines.

colebatch 25 Jun 2013 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by JediMaster (Post 427357)
.... the scenery along the valley to Naryn on the south side was great. Everything from a hanging glacier to a narrow tree lined valley ....

pics ??? :clap:

JediMaster 26 Jun 2013 04:16

As requested...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by colebatch (Post 427395)
pics ??? :clap:

OK...if you insist...:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:...

Regrettably I didn't take a photo of the glacier as the storm was upon me and I wasn't getting my camera out. However, the rest of the ride looked like this...

East of Naryn the wild flowers began where the tarmac ended...

http://shortwayround.smugmug.com/pho...-VRF7q8K-L.jpg

Soon after the road climbed into this valley...

http://shortwayround.smugmug.com/pho...-BQMhf9Q-L.jpg

http://shortwayround.smugmug.com/pho...-XXq46kX-L.jpg

The road continued to climb and once above the tree line widened out... (note the clouds building in the distance)

http://shortwayround.smugmug.com/pho...-sXjJV3c-L.jpg

A little further on, soon after the junction I mentioned in my op I got as close to the storm as I was happy with...

http://shortwayround.smugmug.com/pho...-mHt5JSP-L.jpg

Not fancying a soaking I backtracked a little way and pitched my tent...just in time. I watched the lightening and listened to the thunder with a brew and a packet of biscuits :thumbup1:

http://shortwayround.smugmug.com/pho...-hSTRZpH-L.jpg

To get out of the wind I'd ridden down to the level area. In the morning I walked half way back up and set my camera on its tripod. I really need to sort out a proper thumb button to trigger my remote as this is the only photo I managed...

http://shortwayround.smugmug.com/pho...-fCsKzrW-L.jpg

The road was wiped out in several places...

http://shortwayround.smugmug.com/pho...-fQssbxF-L.jpg

...but a quick look around always provided a route through...

http://shortwayround.smugmug.com/pho...-2Dc7rTd-L.jpg

It was around here that a storm appeared very quickly over the ridge line and so I didn't take any more photo's until I got to the pass (and shot the original series). It was a shame as that last valley had a really wild, remote look about it. I'd love to see it in decent light. Maybe I'll take another look in October...if its not snowing!

In stark contrast to the southern side of the pass, this was the scene just a few km's down the track on the north side. You can just make out Issyk Kul in the background...

http://shortwayround.smugmug.com/pho...-cND3cdC-L.jpg

craig.iedema 26 Jun 2013 07:48

Beautiful Photos - I think The Kyrgyz Republic is the most spectacular of central asia countries.

Snoah 27 Jun 2013 13:05

So good. Glad you are doing well Adam!

JediMaster 1 Jul 2013 11:09

https://vimeo.com/69216941
Quote:

Originally Posted by craig.iedema (Post 427453)
Beautiful Photos - I think The Kyrgyz Republic is the most spectacular of central asia countries.


I'll agree with you there Craig, although Tajikistan gives it a good run for its money, especially the Bartang Valley...


https://vimeo.com/69216941


Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoah (Post 427559)
So good. Glad you are doing well Adam!

Cheers Noah! Maybe catch up with you in Irkutsk???


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