Part 15 - Gyechar to Tunk La botanical collecting notes

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SUMMARY:
Field notes from Gyechar describe an early start aided by two of H.H.'s men and an ascent to Tunk La, with observations of primulas (including P. bracteosa, P. gracilipes, and P. whitei) and changing vegetation with altitude. Weather was fine to cloudy with mist at night, elevations ranged from about 9525' to ~12900', and magpies were seen in the evening.

CONTENT:
which were not in flower. Magnolia campbellii (18648) was a very fine sight indeed, in full bloom, very common. Of primulas we found P. bracteosa (18644) almost over, another I don't think I have seen before, perhaps P. listeri (18669). It is really lovely to get away on the job again. We had a fine day with interesting flowers on the whole. Fine, clouding later, mist at night.

10th April. Gyechar. 10 miles. 195.4. 64°. 2.0 pm. 9525'. There was some rain at night, the day was cloudy with bright intervals. We were very early up & off by 5.45 which was good for our young team. Having two of H.H.'s men helps a great deal. They are good & what's more they are prepared to work. P. bracteosa was very common on the way up, & I took it again in better flower 18675. While taking it, I saw growing with it P. gracilipes 18673, which was very pretty there. P. bracteosa gives place to P. gracilipes above 11500'. Later on, further up, we came across P. whitei 18676, and was common up to the top & much further down this side. I must say I think it one of the best primulas there is. It was markedly short of the usual farina, in fact showed none of the copious farina so usual until we found some quite low down on this side. The path up & down is quite good, & the Tunk La is about 12900' (BP 189.3. 58°. 9.30 am). We made it 5 miles up & 5 down, the east side being easier on the whole. Vegetation changes rapidly. Rhododendron species predominate at the top, & give way suddenly to Tsuga, Picea & Pinus excelsa, the last of which continue down here. I saw two pairs of magpies here this evening, as I've seen them