Shughnon Range

The main pass used in the area I want to visit (Jizev and/or Ravmed, and then onward to the Bartnag Valley) is Shtam Pass (also referred to as Shitam Pass, and in some historical documents as Ishtam) at 4859 meters. One historical account by a Russian explorer is very unhelpful (“I went through the pass on this date“), and one Soviet geologist notes that this pass is for hiking but not for horses (again, not that helpful). Another geologist who hiked up to the pass from the east in 1962 described the other side as a “wild, terrifying cliff,“ and turned back.

But in the guidebook “Tajikistan and the High Pamirs” there is an account of this pass, with a less detailed version online here (they spell it ‘Chtam’). It’s clearly a steep pass that involves plenty of snow and ice. You can see the photo on the website of the two ‘hikers‘ wearing crampons.

This pass is not my first choice. There are alternatives farther down the ridge to the southwest, but none of them interest me in terms of the approach and descent. The exception may be Khuf Pass as a last resort. However, after looking at satellite/aerial imagery and too/contour maps, I do not believe the location given on the GenShtab (Soviet Military) Maps.

How about farther northeast? You will eventually find the Baradara/Shteklozar Pass - a relatively easy pass that regularly sees trekkers. That’s the back-up plan, as I would rather do something new, and not find myself so far up the Bartang Valley.

2023 update: I went through a pass that connects Rozhak to Jizev. Read my report here.