Part 40 - Camp to Lola Pass and Chudi Chu; botanical specimens 3634–3643

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SUMMARY:
Route notes describe the march from camp to Lola Pass and a very steep descent, followed by a difficult traverse to a camp on the Chudi Chu with multiple stream crossings. Botanical collections 3634–3643 are listed, including several rhododendrons and primulas with habitat and diagnostic notes.

CONTENT:
20a

Camp to Lola Pass. 2 miles. Continue up R bank for a mile, with a considerable climb over a fir clad ridge, then over boggy open ground. Path then crosses the stream & climbs about 300 ft steeply, gradually easing off & turning more South. The last 300' is fairly steep but the whole route to the Pass is easy.

Descent to camp at m 4. Descent very steep indeed, fairly open for 1/2 mile, then through dense fir & rhodo forest. At m 3 the main stream is crossed to the R bank, & the valley turns South. Follow this down, crossing to L bank at 3 1/2. A poor camp available at m 4.

3634. R. exasperatum. A fine Barbatum Ser. Rhod. Common among R. Thomsonii & Abies. Beautiful rich crimson corolla.

3635. Rhod. lopangense Thomsonii Series. Very common. Seems to have more indumentum on under leaf than R. Thomsonii.

3636. Primula aff. atrodentata. (P. crispa?) This does not appear to be P. atrodentata. It is smaller, a smaller less pronounced eye, colour rather different. Only seen in one place.

3637. Primula vernicosa. Only differs in habitat. First time seen in dense jungle. Smaller flower than usual.

3638. Diapensia yellow. The first time we have seen this yellow one. Common.

3639. Asteropyrum peltatum. Ranunculus sp.

3640. Primula geraldinae sp. nov. Common where found. The mark of this is the farinaceous eye. Only growing on quite inaccessible cliff faces in wet moss. A pretty primula & new to us.

3641. Rhod. sulphureum sp. (small yellow shrub). Fairly common, on cliff faces.

3642. Rhod. forrestii var repens sp. aff repens. Does not appear to be repens, or even serpens. Found to the left (North) of Primula geraldinae 3640.

3643. Rhod. hodgsonii grande.

Camp to Camp on Chudi Chu. 6m. Keep down the L bank through dense rhodo & fir forest. Path very bad indeed, along logs & up & down notched logs, for 2 miles to bridge (1 plank) over main stream to R. bank. Thence path very bad still through dense forest, very steep in places to a very small clearing - room for three tents to camp, where there is a bridge to the L bank again. Path very difficult the whole way. Rough bearing of march 340° M.