Babusar Pass

Babusar Pass
Babusar Pass
درہ بابوسر
Elevation	4,173 m (13,691 ft)
Traversed by	N-15 National Highway
Location	Babusar Valley, Diamer District, Gilgit baltistan, Pakistan
Coordinates	35°8′46.46″N 74°2′53.41″E / 35.1462389°N 74.0481694°E
	Location in Gilgit Baltistan Location in Pakistan

Babusar Pass or Babusar Top (Urdu: درہ بابوسر) (elevation 4,173 metres or 13,691 feet)^[1]^[2] is a mountain pass in Pakistan at the north of the 150 km (93 miles) long Kaghan Valley, connecting it via the Thak Nala with Chilas on the Karakoram Highway (KKH). Babusar Top is the highest point in Kaghan Valley that can be easily accessed by cars.

The Babusar Pass connects Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Gilgit-Baltistan.^[3] It is one of the more dangerous routes in Pakistan. Every year, a number of casualties in road accidents are reported from this mountainous terrain. The most common reason for accidents is brake failure of vehicles in this steep landscape due to inexperience.^[3] Babusar Top was originally known as Babur Top, originating from the fact that the Mughal emperor Babur passed through this area in the early 16th century. Nowadays however, it is commonly referred to as Babusar Top.^[4]

Climate[edit]

The Kaghan Valley is at its best during the summer (from May to September). In May, the maximum temperature is 11 °C (52 °F), and the minimum temperature is 3 °C (37 °F). From the middle of July up to the end of September, the road beyond Naran is open right up to the Babusar Pass. However, movement is restricted during the monsoon and winter seasons. The Kaghan area can be accessed by road via the cities of Islamabad or Peshawar.

The Pass usually remains closed during the winters due to extreme snowfall and harsh conditions. Instead, the Karakoram Highway is used for travelling to the northern areas of the country.

Geography[edit]

The mountain ranges that enter the Mansehra District from Kashmir are the offshoots of the great Himalayan system. In the Kaghan Valley, the mountain system is the highest in the area, including the Babusar Top. This range flanks the right bank of the Kunhar River, and contains a peak called Malika Parbat, which is over 17,000 feet high ^[5] and the highest in the valley.^[6]

On the mountains, the grasslands are also where Gujjars and other nomads migrate during the summer for grazing by their sheep, goats, and other animals. On the north side, there are mountains that are extensions of the same mountain system as the Kaghan Mountains. This range diverges from the eastern side at Musa ka Musalla, a peak at an elevation of around 13,500 feet, which skirts the north end of the Bhogarmang and Konsh valleys and sends down a spur to divide the two. Here also, like Kaghan, thick forests are naturally present, especially on the higher slopes. However, due to extensive exploitation, thick forests are now usually found in unapproachable areas.