Part 37 - Camp on S. Ridge of Jirgang Chu; weather and route decisions

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SUMMARY:
The diarist notes a primula identified as P. bracteosa, previously found by Cooper in May 1915, and mentions it is their birthday. Heavy rain, hail, and deep fresh snow halt progress on the S. Ridge of Jirgang Chu, prompting plans to return to Naszi and possibly go via Chandesi; coolies reach camp by 2 pm and Dungshigon is again clouded.

CONTENT:
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very local. Masses of trees, living and dead, have been blown over, making an awful mess in the small more or less level bit we have chosen. Today's primula must, I think, be P. bracteosa, found by Cooper in May 1915. Today is my birthday.

4th May. Camp on S. Ridge of Jirgang Chu. 10,500'. 2 miles. It started to thunder and rain hard last night, and continued nearly all night, but was clear in the morning. We left at 6:00 but were soon in deep wet fresh snow. I went on for 3 miles, but had to return. The coolies in bare feet could never have got on any further than I had got, that was no use. So here we are, and I fear I must return to Naszi tomorrow. Here I found Bryocarpum himalaicum only 1" up from the ground, so I fear everything will be very late and perhaps it is as well if I try going round by Chandesi to the North.

5th May. Camp same as that of 1st May. 12 miles. A good deal of rain, hail and snow again yesterday evening, but the night was perfectly clear and frosty and the morning lovely for an hour or two before the mist and clouds came down on Dungshigon again. Coolies got in by 2:00 pm, quite good going, as the path was wet and