From Kalak Bala Village

Approach

See "Getting There"

Route Description

All distances per my GPS


Place....................Distance (Km)...............Elevation (m)
.
KB Village............Zero..................................2650
Chooren Pass.....6.5....................................3800
KK Lake................4.0....................................3750
Yakhchal...............2.25..................................4194
Kaman Kooh…….1.75…………………….4234

Total.......................14.5 Km (one way)


The first portion of this route is the first part of the standard route for climbing the 4390 m Azad Kooh Peak. From Kalak Bala Village (2650 m), follow a stream-side trail up beautiful grassy slopes to a 3800 m saddle known as Chooren (or Chehel Khaneh) at the southeastern base of the summit of Azad Kooh. Make sure you do not mistake the 3370 m saddle that sits to the west of the Narchoo Peak for the Chooren Pass. (The 3655 m Narchoo is an impressive rocky peak that dominates the view from the lower parts of the trail). You can find good camping spots at the very windy Chooren Pass.

At Chooren Pass, Kaman Kooh and its nearby peaks will first come into view to the south. Follow the trail traversing the western slopes of Point 3910 m on the upper portions of the Nessen Valley till you reach the long northern ridgeline of Yakhchal. For good camping, continue west a short distance beyond the ridgeline to Kaman Kooh Lake (3750 m)

From the lake, gain the top of the long northern ridgeline of Yakhchal and head south up easy terrain to the base of the summit of Yakhchal (4000 m). Here you will encounter rocky slopes that become increasingly more difficult to climb. Do some class III climbing up the rocky slopes and then traverse to the east (in early season you will encounter steep snow banks here) till you reach a scree slope that you can climb to near the summit. The last part to the summit of Yakhchal will be Class III climbing.

From the summit of Yakhchal descend down easy sandy slopes to a 4090 m saddle at the base of the Sarmahoo Peak. Climb Sarmahoo or bypass it heading for Kaman Kooh. The last part to the summit will require Class III climbing.

Essential Gear

In summer, nothing more than good hiking boots. This is a multi-day route. You obviously need campig equipment.

Miscellaneous Info

If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.