Salang Pass

This past week was spent in Pulikhumri in Baghlan Province. The drive from Kabul goes through the Salang Pass through the Hindu Kush Mountains, normally takes about 5 hours with good weather and favorable traffic conditions. This trip took 8 hours each way. The pass was filled with snow requiring snow chains and slow driving. On the way over we made good time but shortly after passing through the Salang Pass tunnel (2.6 km of darkness and diesel fumes) we ran into a traffic jam of cars and trucks inching their way along the two-lane mountain road. It was a bright, sunny day but that meant ice and vehicles going up to the pass were having trouble gaining traction.

The return home, we started before dawn which combined with an overcast, snowy day meant fewer cars on the road and less ice. It still took 8 hours, but it was slow and steady and rather pretty too. And even though it was just as dark in the tunnel, with oncoming headlights looking like the dragon eyes in a cave, the air was clearer and we were thankfully able to pass through quickly.