High altitude, narrow roads present challenges for top-heavy MRAPs through Afghanistan mountain passes. JALALABAD, Afghanistan - Too bad you can't pass on going through mountain pass in Afghanistan.
Mountain passes like the one between Kabul and Jalalabad are where some of the greatest armies in the history of the world suffered great losses at the hands of the locals who knew these mountains and valleys and used that knowledge to their advantage.
While an enemy attack remains a concern, just as great a hazard are the narrow, high-altitude roadways, tunnels and bridges that are tricky enough on their own. But when you add in the traffic and the anything-goes, high-speed driving of the Afghan cars and trucks you share the road with, it becomes down-right dangerous. Do it in an MRAP, and you're adding another challenge to the travel.
An Afghan man stands outside his mountainside shop between Kabul and Jalalabad. 
The heavy, anything-goes traffic doesn't make travel any easier. Still, the mountains, cliffs, rivers and lakes that make up this part of Afghanistan can be very scenic. It's easy to imagine you're in Gatlinburg, until you see a Pepsi sign painted in Dari.
Thankfully, the great drivers and crews of Task Force Centurion Prime's Hurricane (HHC) got us all there and back safely without any incidents or issues. Another tribute to the professionalism of the 1st of the 167th Infantry soldiers from Alabama!
Visit our Task Force Centurion Prime Facebook page to see many more images of our travels through the Jalalabad pass.