1841.] Report on subjects connected with Affghanistan. 801 



dinate ranges may, I think, be traced : although I have no personal 

 acquaintance with the countries between Candahar and Ghuzni, and 

 the Southerly prolongation of the Sufaid Koh. The true mountain, 

 Hindoo Koosh, for this name has been laxly applied to the whole 

 See Barnes' Travels, range, is situated nearly due north of Cabul I have 

 no personal acquaintance with it. The higher peaks of this chain 

 always present traces of snow, and are visible from some points about 

 Cabul. I am not acquainted with the exact point in which the Hima- 

 layas assume the name of the Hindoo Koosh ; but I have grounds for 

 believing, that the features of the Himalayas are not changed at 

 Olipore, Lat. 34° 54' 38" N. Long. 70° \2' E. The Kohi Baba is a 

 direct continuation of the Hindoo Koosh, from which it appears to be 

 separated at first by the Kaloo torrent, and then by the united Kaloo 

 torrent and Bamean river. On either side of these lines, which appear 

 to be the deepest lines of separation, numerous and very varied offsets 

 from both ranges occur. It is over these intermediate portions, that the 

 best routes to Bamean pass, the highest point traversed, is the Erak 

 pass, which reaches an altitude of 1 3,000 feet. But the best route, one 

 which is said to be more easily practicable for artillery, and open 

 throughout the year, is through the country of the Shaikh Ali Huzaras, 

 this probably does not pass over ground exceeding 9,000 feet in altitude. 



The eastern end of the Koh-i-Baba, or its commencement, is cer- 

 tainly grand ; a magnificent view of its three snow-clad peaks is enjoyed 

 from a pass between Yomurt and the Helmund river. Its extreme 

 eastern part shews itself in the form of a vast rounded mass on ap- 

 proaching it up the Siah Sing torrent ; but to the west, it rapidly 

 assumes a different appearance, presenting a succession of lofty peaks, 

 as far as the eye can reach. In this direction it loses itself, and I 

 believe becomes diminished in the Paropamisus. Snow exists on its 

 eastern portion throughout the year ; in sheltered places it occurs in 

 beds of considerable size. 



In August 1840, 1 ascended this range near Kilah-i-Kaloo, up to 

 13,500 feet. No change in the usual features occurred, but from that 

 altitude the ascent became much steeper, and was rendered much more 

 difficult by the ruins of enormous slips. 



"With all my endeavours I was only able to reach the general level of 

 the connections of the peaks ; these were completely inaccessible, 



