Part 29 - Camp m 5 trail observations: rhododendrons, lost cock, and Black Mountain

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SUMMARY:
Notes describe the ascent to camp m 5, including tall rhododendrons, abundant magnolias like those taken the day they reached Korshu, and a view of the Black Mountain before clouds set in. A cock escaped and, despite efforts, including Tungpen attempting to shoot it with a catapult, it flew away. Leeches and midges are noted as troublesome.

CONTENT:
1/2 m, then ascends to camp at m 5. A small pond sometimes contains water here, but none now. The path is not visible beyond the ha, which have to be cut. Occasionally some one has gone up this way, but it is not recognized.

About 6500 or so - a 1000 ft below camp - Rhod. Edgeworthii is fairly common, but always so high up a tree as to be impossible to see. There is another rhododendron here, with flower just over. It grows to a great height, I estimate one tree to be fully 70 ft if not more. The girth of this tree measures 9 ft at 5 ft above the ground. Old flowers show that they were yellow with a magenta basal patch. This height is its extreme low elevation.

We lost some food today, as a cock escaped from its basket. In spite of all our efforts it could not be caught. Finally Tungpen tried to kill it with my catapult, but missed & it flew away down a cliff. Magnolias - same as taken the day we reached Korshu are very numerous. There are a few leeches, & midges are very bad indeed.

The Black Mountain showed up very well through the trees this morning for an hour or two before the clouds came.