The
Pamir Alay, wedged between the republics of Kirghistan and Tajikistan, contains
a mountain chain that extends for over 800 km from the Pamirs to Tian-Shan. Here
there are more than thirty-five 5000m peaks, the highest of which, at 5621m, is
Mount Skalistiy.
This
region is in some parts still completely unexplored (many valleys have no roads
and the few that exist are often in a precarious condition). Up to just a few
years ago it was mapped out only because of Soviet helicopter reconnaissance which
was interested in discovering its geological make-up.
The
mountains here are not only situated in a wild and fascinating natural habitat,
but they also contain many precious metals and minerals; gold and silver can be
found in Tajikistan, petroleum in Uzbekistan and uranium in Kirghistan. Conflicting
interests arising from these probably sparked off many of the crises that have
occurred here.
In
recent years though the situation has changed considerably, for the Pamir Alay
has received increasing attention by fascinated alpinists, attracted by its numerous
unclimbed peaks. They have focused their efforts on the Asan-Usan region, thanks
to its extraordinary granite monoliths. Asan-Usan, in the shepherd dialect Kirgisi,
means "twins". This name derides from the incredible granite towers
which face each other in the Ak-Su valley, close to Pic Pyramidali (5540m).
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