Part 97 - Gonghe Gompa to Lao La with halt and excursions to Jigche La, Longtegang, and Pele La

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SUMMARY:
The diarist ascends from Gonghe Gompa to the Lao La, crosses the pass, and collects a new Primula (P. geraniifolia, No. 3173) and notes Androsace geraniifolia (3175) in abies mixed forest. On 3rd June they halt at Lao La amid rain and mist, visit a cliff-top monastery, proceed to Jigche La, descend to Longtegang, join the main east–west road to the Pele La, and continue along a rough contouring path.

CONTENT:
Gompa. Thence path keeps up the hillside to the North, climbs up a ridge of the hill Gonghe Gompa is on, just to the north of the Gompa.

There are about 30 houses here. From here keep up the ridge at a bearing of 8° M, bearing a little to the Lao La, which is reached at m 7. The path from the Gompa to the La is good, and the hillside open. We saw little till up here, and even here there does not appear to be much. But we went over the La and down the other side, where I found one new Primula - P. geraniifolia, No. 3173.

We also saw a little of Androsace geraniifolia 3175. The primula I have not collected before, and I see Cooper only collected it in seed. It is a pretty little thing. We only saw it in one isolated spot in abies mixed forest, among fallen tree trunks.

3rd June. Halt. Lao La. Rained on and off all day, with mist low on the hills. We went East, to a big cliff on top of which is a small monastery. Though it looked excellent for flowers, we saw none. Then on to the Jigche La, on the same ridge as this. The path leads down the East side, through pretty thick forest to Longtegang. Here we met the main E.-W. road, and followed it up to the Pele La. Over this, and down 1/2 mile a very rough path, which was lost many times, leads more or less along the contours, and finally comes out.