Part 193 - Drölma La to Mepa: bird observations and pass crossing

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SUMMARY:
The author, with Tsongpen and Tenduk, explored the surrounding country, noting few noteworthy birds aside from snow cock, Brahminy with young on a small talao, rose finches, and white-breasted dippers. The route from Drölma La to Mepa covered 6 miles in heavy rain, with a steep snowy ascent to the knife-edge pass and a rocky, snowy descent.

CONTENT:
Tsongpen, Tenduk and I split up and wandered over most of the country round about, but found nothing of any interest. There is almost a continual roar from the mountain at the head of the valley, down which snow pours every few minutes. Close to it today, I saw four snow cock - the real snow cock. I have not seen many birds of interest. A pair of Brahminy were on a small talao just below here, with their young swimming about. Last night just as it was getting dark, a snipe was flying about, just as I heard at Mayo 2 years ago. Woodcock did the same every morning and evening at Chichichar. There are lots of rose finches, but all 'femininus' I think. White breasted dippers are down the stream here.

Drolma La to Mepa
18th June Mepa 6 miles. 15300'. Rained all day from about 7.0 am till night, very hard all midday. Quite a poor day's trudge. Up to the pass we saw nothing of new interest. It is easy at first, with a steep last ascent of a mile, the latter 300 ft over deep snow. The Drölma La 18500' is a knife edge and descent on S side over sharp rocks and then snow for 3/4 mile. Just over the pass on the R. side we came across