Grading
Passes are graded differently than the
Russian Alpine Grades.
Backpacking (Trekking) from valley to valley is/was very popular in the mountains of the (former) Soviet Union.
- NC - (Not Classified) comfortable track
- 1a - possible a rough and steep ascent (often traversable by pack-animals), but often on a good track.
- 1b - scrambling or the use of crampons and/or ice axe is required
- 2a - easy climbing and/or an ice axe and crampons are a must
- 2b - more demanding than 2a passes (climbing background recommended)
- 3a - serious climbing passages and possible objective danger
- 3b - sustained climbing difficulties and/or serious objective danger.
I have seen and traversed passes in the
Fan Mountains graded 1a, that I would not recommend traversing with pack-animals (e.g. Surkhob Pass). On the other hand I saw donkey handlers traversing an 1b pass (Kaznok Pass) with donkeys (unpacked) and cattle (sheep, goats etc).
Grade NC |
Saryshah Pass (Grade NC) |
Grade 1a |
Surkhob Pass (Grade 1a) |
Munora Pass (Grade 1a) |
Grade 1b |
Chimtarga Pass (Grade 1b) |
Dvoinoi Pass (Grade 1b) |
Kaznok Pass (Grade 1b) |
Grade 2a + 2b |
Jubileiny Pass (left) - Grad 2a; Zindon Pass(Grade 2b) |
Grade 3a + 3b |
Sorry no image |