| | |sandy khor, completely | | |commanded by rocky heights | | |varying from 20 feet to 100 | | |feet, until Jebel Shukuk (350 | | |feet) is reached. This | | |mountain, with its conspicuous | | |marble tops, marks the half-way | | |through the Pass. | | | | | |Leaving Jebel Shukuk on the | | |left-hand side, the track | | |inclines towards the river, the | | |Pass becomes narrower and more | | |difficult, and at places it is | | |impossible for more than one | | |loaded camel to pass at a time. | | |The track at this point is | | |nearly impracticable, and it is | | |with the greatest difficulty | | |that even horses can keep their | | |footing. | | | Shukuk Pass | 7½ | 68 |The Shukuk Pass terminates (north end) | | |suddenly opposite the upper end | | |of Uss Island, and at the | | |commencement of Shoar Island, | | |on which latter island there | | |are many small villages, and | | |much cultivation. | | | | | |The Shukuk Pass can be turned | | |by leaving the river at El | | |Kirbekan, striking into the | | |desert and skirting the whole | | |block of mountains through | | |which the pass runs. This is an | | |easy half-day’s camel ride, but | | |there is no water along the | | |road. | | | | | |Capt. Maxse says (1897) the | | |pass is 7 miles long; there is