Part 129 - Chukar in Rong Chu Valley; route to Cha La and plant notes

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SUMMARY:
Notes abundant Delphinium grandiflorum and a large Aconite, with Plumbago absent here but expected lower down. Describes travel from the Dzong across the Nyamjang Chu, along the right bank to the Tsuk Chu and up to the customs village of Tsuk, then ascending toward the Cha La. Mentions reports on the road to Shingbe and contrasts the friendliness of Dongkar people with the rudeness in Tsuna.

CONTENT:
63

Different. Delphinium grandiflorum abounds, there is a big Aconite here not seen before (827). The Plumbago so much wanted, which we collected at Lhakang last year is not to be seen here, but I think it should be found lower down, if we go far enough. They say four days from here to Shingbe, the road is reported as bad & difficult. The people of Dongkar are much pleasanter than in Tsuna. Here they may come & stare, but purely through idle curiosity, whereas the Tsuna people are boorishly rude.

CHUKAR in RONG CHU VALLEY.
18th August. Camp 13648' 7 miles. (BP of CHA LA 185.2° Temp 55° BP Rong 188.0° Temp 55°). Cross the Nyamjang Chu by the bridge just below the Dzong to the left bank. Path keeps some height up the left bank, is easy to m 1 1/2 where it recrosses to the R bank by a bridge at a gorge. The valley here is very narrow indeed steep sided. Proceed down R bank to m 2 where the TSUK CHU comes in from the west. Path leads up this — a very small stream — not as shown on the map — to TSUK m 2 1/2 a customs village with a good deal of cultivation. Thence south up a pretty steep ascent to the CHA LA at