Part 19 - Ascent over Okse La to Korphu and Jirgang; rhododendron found

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SUMMARY:
Route ascends via the right-hand nala to Okse La, then descends steeply through forest to Korphu before continuing down to the Jirgang River and a cantilever bridge, with rice cultivation seen at Nabzi. More flowers are noted, including Michelia doltsopa (2953) and a pure white, sweet-scented Rhododendron edgeworthii (2952) high in a tree that Tseringpen manages to reach.

CONTENT:
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the right hand or more easterly of the two nalas. Path ascends through, easy at first, becoming steeper. At m 4 a pass (Okse La) is reached, probably 1500 - 2000 ft above last camp. From here the descent is very steep indeed, all through dense forest. At m 7 1/2 it becomes easier, then a steep ascent before a level approach to the first Bhutanese village of Korphu, containing 22 houses at m 8 1/2. From this village to the river (Jirgang) beyond the descent is steep, and a wooden cantilever bridge is reached at m 10. The river is a full 1000' below the village, and on the opposite side of the river is fairly extensive rice cultivation at Nabzi.

We saw rather more flowers today, the best find being when a few fallen petals called my attention to a big magnolia tree (Michelia doltsopa 2953). While looking at these flowers, we spotted a lovely rhododendron (Rh. edgeworthii 2952), growing as I thought in a completely impossible place, a full 70 ft above the ground in a huge tree. However Tseringpen said he thought he could manage, and he did, though I wasn't too happy at letting him try. The rhododendron is pure white, with a magnificent scent, and a very fine open flower.