Kakshaal Too

The Kakshaal Too (Kyrgyz: Какшаал Тоо, Qaqşaal Too, قاقشاال توو) is a large mountain range in the Central Tien-Shan. It stretches for a length of 582 kilometres (362 mi) (in Kyrgyzstan) between Kyrgyzstan and China. The width of the range is 54 kilometres (34 mi) and the highest point – Jengish Chokusu (7,439 metres (24,406 ft)).

Kakshaal Too
Кокшаал Тоо
Jengish Chokusu
Highest point
Peak	Jengish Chokusu
Elevation	7,439 m (24,406 ft)
Coordinates	41°40′12″N 79°00′00″E
Dimensions
Length	582 km (362 mi) E–W
Width	54 km (34 mi) N–S
Naming
Etymology	in Kyrgyz, "Какшаал" meaning wild, severe, and "Тоо", meaning mountains
Native name	Какшаал Тоо (Kyrgyz)
Geography
Kakshaal Too
Countries	Kyrgyzstan and China

Topography

The range consists of three parts:

1. Eastern section: Known as Bozkyr, extending to the Saryjaz Gorge with branches like Kayyndy, Koykap, and Maybash.
2. Central section: Includes branches like Karaichketoo, Akzoo, Jangart, Üchchoku, and Kaichy.
3. Western section: Includes Karakyr and Torugart descending towards the Aksai Valley and settling into Cenozoic deposits.

The southern slopes are steep (50–60°), while the northern ones are gentler (30–40°). The ridges are sharp and often rugged, with many gorges and rocky cliffs. Major passes include Bedel, Kogirim, Bikirtik, Kaichy, Karabel, Akögüz, and Suuktör (4,200 m). ^[1]

Landscapes

The landscapes include high-altitude steppes (2800 – 3100 m), Alpine meadows (3100 – 3500 m), high-altitude tundra steppes (3400 – 3800 m), and glacial-nival belt (above 3800 m).^[2]

Geology

The Kakshaal Too lies within the southern Tien Shan and formed during the Hercynian orogeny. Structurally, it consists of a mega-anticlinal formation trending northeast. It is mainly composed of limestones, siltstones, sandstones, conglomerates, and argillites of Paleozoic intruded by granites, granosyenite, and syenite. ^{[2] [1]}