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SUMMARY:
The page describes conifer- and rhododendron-dominated terrain and extensive cultivation in the Tang valley, contrasting land use practices with those near Kalimpong. On 15th April, the party traveled from Pimi over the RUDO LA in persistent snow, observed few flowers, and received wine and food sent by Asha Wangmoo at the pass.

CONTENT:
On the way up is Pinus excelsa. Up here there is nothing but conifers & rhododendron. The pines have given place to Spruce (Picea spinulosa 18702) (Bashing), Tsuga (dumosa 18701) (Seshing), Fir (Dungshing) & some Larix (Sasuing) (Rhod. thomsonii 18697). We saw some very nice P. gracilipes — also (15699) Bryocarpum himalaicum just coming into flower. There is a great deal of cultivation in the Tang valley, not only low down in the valley bed, but right up close to where we are here, over 11,000 ft. Our people were amused when we asked the locals about fields which we saw had had buckwheat in them last year. "Would they lie fallow this year?" we asked. "Oh they won't be used for at least 12 years again!" was the answer. The owner just goes to another bit of land. This to anyone near Kalimpong, where land can hardly be got, often at Rs 600/- an acre, was wonderful.

15th April. PIMI. over the RUDO LA (9690, 12600). 5 1/2 hours, 11 miles. A beastly day when we hoped so much for a fine one. It was snowing gently as we left at 5:45 this morning. After a slight ascent, the path is almost level till 4 when a steep ascent brings one to the Rudo La at 11:30. We had a glimpse of blue sky suddenly, & a small patch of sun, but that was all, it snowed all the way otherwise. The wind was cold on top. Our mules were back from there. This side descent very easy for an hour or so, then suddenly the path goes downstairs, & continues downstairs for more than an hour before easing off. The ridge is followed all the way, & for that reason no flowers were seen, except one Rhod. (Rhod. arboreum 18703), & P. Calderiana in fat bud, covered in farina, smelling its usual bad smell. Asha Wangmoo sent wine & food for us to meet us on the pass. Here a great place has been prepared again, against our visit.

SUMMARY:
The diarist describes plant collecting on cliffs and sand slopes, with Pasang separately gathering notable specimens, and notes wildlife sightings, weather, and plans to camp higher and visit Marlung. Letters were sent to Betty and Asha Wangmoo. On 4 July, amid active trade movement, Pasang and Yundun collected more plants near the Sekpen's huts, and plans are considered for a September trip to the Tibdey La after returning from Bumthang.

CONTENT:
1 June
Went to a big cliff straight ahead. This was covered at the foot with almost white P. umbratilis (19332), and with a lot of the yellow Sax I saw 2 days ago, glabricaulis (19306). Then again to the right, then found P. waddellii and one or two other good things, including a high altitude Delphinium muscosum (19328) and a Sax bergianoides (19329) and a nice dwarf plant which I don't remember seeing before (19327), which grows in sand slopes below cliffs. Pasang was separate, and he got one fine big Gentian, G. phyllocalyx (19322), and also a very pretty little white Potentilla coriandrifolia (19324), which I'd like to get seed of, but unfortunately he only saw enough for the press.

Pasang saw many bharal, I saw one. I must take out the gun and have a go at one one day. We were lucky today, as it was almost fine the whole day until 5 minutes after we returned, when there was a deluge of rain. Really we should camp now at 14,500' to get the best of the alpines. They all seem to be high, and camping here at 12,000' is far too low: it makes a long walk to reach 15,000'. Tomorrow we have an off day, then go up to Marlung, at about 13,500'. Perhaps from there I will send the lads off for a couple of nights to one of the yakherds' shelters, which now mostly seem to be about 14,500'. Sent off a letter to Betty and one to Asha Wangmoo this morning.

4th July. Halt. More fine than wet. Great moving of trade up and down today, mostly Bhutanese, but also Tibetans. I stayed in camp, but Pasang and Yundun preferred to go out. They went up the valley behind the Sekpen's huts, then over the ridge to the north, and they collected 10 quite good plants, including one fine Prim. soldanelloides (19346), which was growing on a cliff, which I think unusual. I've always seen it just on steep open grassy hillside. Ngudup seemed surprised when I told him we would return here after Bumthang, for seed. I've been wondering whether it might not be good to go to the Tibdey La for Sept 1-12th or 15th.