Muksu:
When paddled: early Nov 2007
Volume: 0 cfs on the Belandkyk at the base of the Takhtakorum Pass to 1000 cfs at the confluence with the Ak Su/Surkhob.
There is a road to the base of the Takhtakorum Pass that is accessible from Murghab. The road up the Bartang valley at the Kok Jar Pass was barely usable in 2008 and probably will not be usable in 2009- be warned. From this road, the Takhtakorum Pass is a several day hike with a significant elevation change. On the other side, the Belandkyk is flat, if there is water in the river. At the first major confluence, there is a hunting cabin. There is also a smaller cabin 5-7 kilometers downstream. Shortly after this second cabin the climate changes and there is firewood. The Belandkyk down to the
Fedchenko Glacier is shallow, scrappy rapids. At the Fedchenko the river gains volume and the valley is huge, open, and windswept. Shortly downstream, the whitewater begins. The first major gorge has an entrance rapid with a nasty hole against the river left wall. It is possible to portage on the river right on boulders. The rest is very committing with few places to camp. The gorges and whitewater ends about 25 kilometers above the
river’s confluence with the Ak Su/Surkhab.
Recs: If your passport allows, think about accessing the river at Altyn Mazar via Kyrgyzstan. Late in the year it’s cold, but there is less water for sure. No matter how you do it, this is large.
Pleasure: Pain 8:10
