Forum Pakistan

This range in the Hindu Kush system lies in the extreme north of Pakistan, between the valleys of the Rivers Mastuj (Yarkhun) and *SwaL The length of the range from north-east to south-west is about 400 km., with an average height of 6,500-7,000 metres. Southwards the average height drops to 5,000-6,900 metres. On the northern and southern slopes there are a number of high glaciers, for example Chiantar. The longest, at 33 km., descends into the valley of the Yarkhun to an altitude of 3,800 metres. The lower northern slopes are covered with grass, and occasional copses of pistachio trees on grey soils. On the damp western slopes there are deciduous woods to height of approximately 2,500 meters above sea level. Evergreen woods extend up to 3,300 meters and above these coniferous or mixed forests extend up to 3,700 meters. At higher elevations, sub-alpine vegetation is to be found. The Darkot pass through the range is approximately 4,575 meters above sea level and is situated in an often inaccessible glacier-clad region where there are snowstorms in both the winter and the summer. The footpath through the pass connects the valleys of the Yasin and the Yarkhun rivers leading eventually to *Chitral. The path is only passable for draught animals from the mid-June to mid-September.