Part 49 - Charithang to Damthang via Kyu La and Ha La

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SUMMARY:
Entries describe 30–31 May at Charithang with fine then rainy weather, scarce birds, collection of Primula Kingii, and mail; guide Pintsho went to Yatung and returned with mules to prepare for the march. On 1 June they marched about 10 miles to Damthang, crossing Kyu La (14,150') and Ha La (13,950') in heavy rain; despite everyone getting wet, the kit stayed dry and women coolies carried comparable loads.

CONTENT:
92
Berberis lasioclema (41) sp. nov.

30th May. Charithang. A fine day with no rain up to 4.0 p.m. Went
B.7. contd. Yaks up towards the pass, but birds very scarce. Collected some
going out to graze. specimens of Primula Kingii (6/12.40), half a mile above Charithang
Temporary huts on the left going up. They grow in very wet swampy ground.
erected for Pol. Off. Pintsho (the Bhutan Guide) left in the morning for Yatung, taking our post. Another
at Charithang mail reached us today, including a home mail.

31st May. Charithang. Both felt very slack today, so hardly went out
at all. Rain nearly all day. Pintsho returned with mules for our
B.7 all excellent march to Damthang tomorrow, so we packed up all kit & birds.
except butterflies.
Bhutan The mud plain (L.)
1st June. DAMTHANG. (The muddy meadow). 10 miles. An. ht. 10,300'. Map 9750'?
A collection of coolies, male & female, and mules turned up to
B.7. finished. take our transport to Damthang, & they started off at odd times.
Scenes at The last off, with us, left at 7.30. All were in here at 3.0 p.m.,
Charithang except one man who came in at 6.30. It was a lovely
as our transport morning, & we were armed with butterfly nets, besides flower
was leaving. presses & guns. But by the time we reached the Kyu La at
Close ups of types, 11.0, the rain had started. Kyu La is 14150' & a mile
woman carrying further on is the Ha La, 13950'. By then the rain was very
baby; women heavy, & remained so till 2.30. We were all pretty wet
coolies wearing by the time we got in, but the kit was kept pretty
various hats, dry by tarpaulins. Of the coolies, women even seemed to
taking snuff. take nearly the same load, & they came in together. The
B.8. As above ascent is not bad, & between the passes is a dip of
first 35 ft. 500 ft, mostly over stony ground pretty well covered