Khunjerab Pass

From Free net encyclopedia

Template:CoorHeader The Khunjerab Pass is a high mountain pass on the northern border of Pakistan with China. It peaks at 4,693 metres (15,397 ft) and makes the highest border crossing of the world. It is also the highest point on the Karakoram Highway. The name comes from the Wakhi for 'Blood Valley'. This section of the road was completed in 1982 and is possibly the highest metalled border crossing in the world.

The long flat pass is often snow covered and during the rainy season (December-April) the pass is closed to all vehicles except large trucks because of mudslides . There is excellent grazing on the Chinese side of the pass and domesticated yaks and dzu (a cross between yaks and cows) may be seen from the road. On the Pakistani side, the highway travels about 50 km across the extensive Karakoram National Park before reaching the security outpost of Dih. From there, it is another 35 km to the customs and immigration post at Sust.

Before the modern highway was built it was a winter pass only and almost impossible for baggage animals to cross.

See also

• Sust
• Karakoram Highway
• Northern Areas

References

• Curzon, George Nathaniel. 1896. The Pamirs and the Source of the Oxus. Royal Geographical Society, London. Reprint: Elibron Classics Series, Adamant Media Corporation. 2005. ISBN 1402159838 (pbk; ISBN 1402130902 (hbk).

• King, John 1989. Karakoram Highway : the high road to China. Hawthorn, Victoria, Lonely Planet Publications. ISBN 086442065Xnl:Khunjerabpas