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the Degree Confluence Project
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Iran : Kermān

11.8 km (7.3 miles) SW of Šāhābād, Kermān, Iran
Approx. altitude: 2013 m (6604 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 30°S 123°W

Accuracy: 8 m (26 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: View to the North #3: View to the East #4: View to the South #5: View to the West #6: GPS reading #7: Rainer at the Confluence #8: The Citadel of Rāyen #9: Destroyed city of Bām #10: Camping in Bām

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  30°N 57°E (visit #1)  

#1: The Confluence

(visited by Rainer Mautz and Elionora)

05-Sep-2004 -- This is the 10th out of 29 Confluences on our tour from Germany to China, the story continues from 31N 55E.

On the fifteenth day of our tour we started at 9 a.m. in Kermān (30 km from the CP). In order to visit this CP, we had to leave Kermān in southern direction on a side road towards Bahrāmjerd. From that road it was just 1.2 km to the CP. But between the road and the confluence point was a construction site: they were building a railroad track (this is the missing link between Kermān and Zāhedān). When this part of the railroad is finished, one can go by train from Europe to India. We parked our car near the construction area. There were absolutely no construction workers around, so we thought this would be fine. We packed our little backpack and started hiking upwards into the mountains.

Not even halfway to the CP, we took a look back at our car. To our surprise it was surrounded by a crowd of people examining the car from all sides. We were scared and reminded of the bad experience we had with suspicious people and the police at CP 37N 48E. I ran back to the car as fast as I could. I already had a long list of explanations worked out in my mind. Reaching the car, I realized that a bunch of construction workers were curiously looking at the pictures on our car. They let me know that the car was safe and I should keep on doing whatever I was doing in the mountains. Thus relieved, we started out again heading for the confluence point. After passing through the mountains, we had to cross a dry riverbed and then had to climb some other steep mountains. How long 1.2 km can be in uneven terrain! We finally made it to the point, which was on an especially steep grade halfway up a hill.

After finishing our confluence point visit we went to the town Rāyen about 60 km southeast of the CP. While having our daily watermelon in front of a mosque, many people approached us and had a chat with us. One of them was the guard of Rāyen's ancient citadel. He said that in one and a half hours he would open the gate of the citadel again and we should definitely come. But we replied that we couldn't wait so long. Thus, he took us directly to the citadel, let us in and gave us instructions how to close the gate behind us after we had finished visiting the place. It was a worthwhile visit!

Later that day we reached the ancient city Bām. Unfortunately, the city had been destroyed by an earthquake 8 months earlier. Not much is left from the former world heritage. It was incredibly sad to see that there was not even one stone left on top of another (German saying). Of course, all hotels had been destroyed as well and we hat to camp out for the night, as all the local people did as well.

CP visit details:

  • Time at the CP: 10:30 a.m.
  • Duration: 1.5 h (until we were back on our route)
  • Distance of car parking: 1200 m
  • GPS height: 1992 m
  • Description: In washed-out sediment, half way up a steep hill with rocks in different sizes. The vegetation consists of scattered desert grass.
  • Given Name: The Curious Construction Workers Confluence

Story continues at 29N 59E.


 All pictures
#1: The Confluence
#2: View to the North
#3: View to the East
#4: View to the South
#5: View to the West
#6: GPS reading
#7: Rainer at the Confluence
#8: The Citadel of Rāyen
#9: Destroyed city of Bām
#10: Camping in Bām
ALL: All pictures on one page