Zerafshan:
When paddled: August 26, 2007(town of Madrushkat to Ajni), mid-September, 2008 (Vodif to Pakshif)
Volume:4-4,500cfs
The top of the river from Vodif down to Pakshif is mostly easy water in a large open valley. There is one canyon that constricts the flow and creates about a kilometer of boily whitewater. This canyon has an odd, fin rock rapid halfway down it- visible from the road- where a tributary comes in. The second half of this canyon has a nasty drop that can be snuck or portaged on river right- assuming the water is not high enough to cover the sneak/portage route. There are some other rapids, about class III.
Between Vodif and Madrushkat, there’s a section that we did not run. It has a few simple canyons.
The river from Madrushkat down is mostly easy, scenic canyons with a couple big boiling drops. Only one drop about halfway down caused by a landslide, would be nearly impossible to portage. This rapid can be snuck on river right.
There are several very large rapids.
Some small tributaries cut mini-canyons in the Zerafshan’s canyon. Some of these are runnable with fun waterfalls.
The river has a delayed glacial cycle.
Pleasure:Pain 6:3
