Can anyone name this Kyrgyz pass?

[JediMaster]

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

[Chri8]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by JediMaster

.... 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 ???

[JediMaster]

Originally Posted by colebatch

pics ???

OK...if you insist......

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...



Soon after the road climbed into this valley...





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



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...



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



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...



The road was wiped out in several places...



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



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...

[craig.iedema]

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

[Snoah]

So good. Glad you are doing well Adam!

[JediMaster]

Originally Posted by craig.iedema

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...

Originally Posted by Snoah

So good. Glad you are doing well Adam!

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