Photos by hajiclimb

Again, Many climbs are right along the only road in Sartak. Don't mind the guys with the AK-47s in the photo. They are Kurdish Border Patrol agents, your best friends in the region. Sartak is completely uninhabited, except for Border Patrol, so there is little risk here. These guys (and gals!) will watch your back.

Another narrow Sartak road, with rock almost forming a natural bridge above. The guys in uniform are Border Patrol (Iran is only 10 miles away). The black writing on the rock to the left of the car is a notice from Mine Awareness Group stating that the area has been swept for landmines.

This shot shows the eastern end of the Sartak Chasm. There is ample climbing on either side of the road here.

This is the view of the chasm from the Border Patrol HQ in Sartak. The road snakes right through the gap. Good slabs to the right.

This is the view of the chasm from the Border Patrol HQ in Sartak. The road snakes right through the gap. Good slabs to the right.

This is one of the more narrow gaps in the Sartak Pass. A climber could actually stem the rock faces on either side of the road. This is on the eastern section of the rock faces directly adjacent to the road. The face drifts away from the road to the east and the west.