Part 41 - Camp east of Lo La near Pachakshiri; snow crossing and plant notes

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SUMMARY:
Account of a snowy crossing of Lo La to a camp east of the pass, with clear morning weather turning to afternoon rain, steep descent, and heavy snow on the south side. Notes describe scarce but emerging rhododendrons and primulas, highlighted by Primula geraldinae on cliffs, several plant collections, and a sighting of monal by Ludlow.

CONTENT:
Lo La, Pachakshiri.

Prim. R. exasperatum 3634, R. lopsangianum 3635, R. sulphureum 3644, R. forrestii var repens 3642, R. hodgsonii 3643.
P. atrodentata 3636, Vernicosa 3637, Geraldinae 3640, Gentiana hexalata 3638.

place, but after going 3 ft. found another two ft. to go, so gave up. And yet it will be in full flower in 60 days. Other flowers are nearly over by then, though covered so deep now with snow. The approx. bearing to our next camp is 150° M.

24th April. Camp E of Lo La. 6 miles. 10500'. Bright clear morning, clouding over by 2.00 pm, some rain about 3-4 pm. Clearing later. Left at 5.30 am, on hard frozen snow, getting up to Pass very easily over snow we could walk on. Reached Pass, 13500', at 6.45 am. Coolies knew the sun would melt the snow & went up almost as quick. Descent on this side, very steep indeed, snow was now getting soft. There is a remarkable amount of snow this side. March tiring through dense fir & rhodo. forest, with deep snow patches till near camp. Rhododendrons coming out, but still scarce. It is grand to be seeing some flowers at last, after such a long pause. The first star turn was probably No 3640 (P. geraldinae), a small but very pretty primula which grows on sheer cliff faces, and at any rate new to us. Some rhodos. too were found. Ludlow saw some monal, which did not appear to be the usual one. But he could not get a shot at one. On the whole a most interesting day, but very tiring. I also saw Prim. Barnardoana, but it is not yet in flower. Many flowers should be out by the time we come back.