Garif (sometimes written Garib):
When paddled: late Sept. 2007 and early Sept. 2008
Volume: 500 cfs at the meeting of the Pakshif Pass path and the Darya Susof to 1,200 Sarbog confluence
From the town of Pakshif in the upper Zerafshan valley the road to the pass is relatively easy. At the pass, the hike is steep. The final route over the pass is a bit hard to find on the right as you look up to the pass. On the other side, the walk continues over several glaciers all the way to the where the path meets the Darya Susof. There is a lone village about 3 km downstream of this confluence. Below the village the whitewater starts and increases in difficulty. There are several gorges with some unrunnable drops. Starting about 13 km above the confluence with the Sarbog the whitewater becomes much larger and more serious. About 8km above the confluence with the Sarbog, there is a final gorge, which contains a series of massive drops and waterfalls, some runnable. The big drops continue to the Sarbog confluence but become more runnable. About 5 km above the confluence there is a river wide undercut that can be portaged on river left.
Recs: It’s possible to get a car some ways up to the Pakshif Pass, if there are any vehicles around. There are lots of bears. Leave some extra days to enjoy the scenery, sweet camping spots, and whitewater. Fox man, just Do it.
Pleasure: Pain 9: 7
