Sher Dawaza

OK, so we started out about 7 in the morning. Our driver took us to an cemetary called Shohada-ye Salehin which is near the outskirts of the city. We wanted to start at the fortress Bala Hissar, but apparently, even though we drove by it, our driver didn't seem to care what we wanted to do. Anyway, maybe another day. Now back to the hike.  Starting out, its a pretty well worn path as its next to a neighborhood. It wasn't too steep even though a couple guys seemed to have trouble. Guess they'll work out before they try to hike next time. We took about thirty minutes for our group of ten guys to get up to a saddle in the mountain where we took a little breather and posed for pictures. You can see a good ways just from this perch.

After our break, we cut across the mountain to the Kabul Wall, which was the whole purpose for coming today.

It took us about another half hour to get about another klick to the wall from the saddle, a little tough as this path was less used and landmines were on the sides of the trail. Good times. The Kabul wall was built sometime in the 5th century before Islam came to the country. Its about 20 feet high in some places and about 3-5 feet thick, what ever wikipedia tells you. There are also a few places where its just destroyed from the fighting. I found a few AK shells but sadly, no musket rounds or older artifacts.

We came to the high point in the wall after a couple more klicks and broke for lunch. I found a nice little perch just down from the peak and sat there getting some sun for a little while. So far I think it was only around 10 AM, sorry I can't remember.

Once we finally got moving, it was a little more difficult going down the other side, alot of loose rocks, no definable trail and steep drops kept us looking for ways down to a finger on the mountain that would lead us into a neighborhood near Babur's Gardens/Tomb. After an hour or so, we finally got everyone back together and made our way into the city again.

The people there were not very friendly, as we were outsiders. You would be surprised at how isolated people even in the capital are. We may have been the first non-Afghans in a long time there. Even the kids didn't really talk to us. Very strange. A friend who had spent time in Brazil told me that the neighborhood was alot like the favelas he visited when he was there. If you've seen the movie "City of God" or "City of Men" then you understand where I'm coming from.

It took us a few minutes  to get out of there (remember the weakbodies?) and get everyone together and we made out way to the Gardens.

The Gardens are very nice, I would say they are the nicest place in Kabul. It is very green there and there is a reflecting pool even though it has garbage in it, its not too much. I walked around for a little while trying to say hello to people, although most didn't answer me. There were Afghans on dates and having picnics in the shade of the trees. It was a pretty nice place.

All in all, I am pleased with the trip. I would encourage other expats in the city to hike the mountain as well, but not too often. Don't want to set any patterns right? It only took my group about 4 hours total, so if your looking for a day hike close by then this is it. Good luck out there.