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CHAPTER V
THE MAMISON PASS AND GEBI
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I HE passes of the western portion of the
Central Caucasus are barred by glaciers.
It is not until we come to the eastern
source of the Rion that we find that
Nature has provided any facility for
the passage of the main chain. At this
spot, the frosty crest, that has stretched
uninterruptedly from the Klukhor Pass,
above Sukhum Kale, turns suddenly
into a grassy ridge, easy of access from
either slope. On the south side the
road accomplishes the last climb by a
series of zigzags, but there is no need
for any heavy engineering, such as is
common on Alpine Passes of much less elevation. On the north
side, the 7000 feet of ascent from Alagir to the top is eftected
with only one zigzag. If proper Refuges and a staff of labourers,
chai'ged with the repair of bridges and embankments and the
removal of snow-drifts, were provided by the Government, the
pass might be kept open for wheels during at least four months
in the year. Its importance as the only direct access from
Ciscaucasia to Kutais would seem to make it worth while to
incur the needful expenditure. To half-construct a road and then
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