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LSH/1/1/1/1/12 · Part · 1933-05-01 - 1933-09-01
Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

SUMMARY:
Page records advances, monthly pay, and ration allowances for expedition staff, including a Tibetan blanket to be given at Yatung. Notes include multiple May payments, Changu’s dismissal and refund, and later disbursements at Bumthang and Phari.

CONTENT:
Engaged Danong son of Ribu at Rs 30 + 10 a month from 1st May, &
1 Tibetan blanket to be given at Yatung. ADVANCE PAID Rs. 40/-.
Ahmad Sheikh paid monthly pay of Rs 35/- for May & ration allowance
of Rs 10/- paid 1st May.
Ahmad Sheikh paid Rs 10/- 28th May.
Danong paid Rs 10 ration allowance for June on 18th May. Blanket Rs. 10.
Changu paid Rs 30 advance 20th May. Dismissed 29th May. Rs 15/- to be refunded.
Danong paid Rs. 10/- ration for July & Rs 30/- pay for June - 14.7.33 Bumthang.
Danong paid Rs 110/- = Ration Aug Sept. & Pay July Aug & Sept. Phari 1/9/33.
Pintso paid 120/- = Pay up to end Aug. + 40 baksheesh. A. Sheikh 10/-
Ahmad Sheikh paid Rs 10/- rations for September.

LSH/1/1/1/1/19 · Part · 1933-05-08
Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

SUMMARY:
Heavy snow has closed the pass near Tsomgo, with temperatures around freezing and ongoing snowfall; film and exposure notes are recorded. On 8th May, Danong scouted towards the Natu La and reported over five feet of snow and lost mule loads, leading to plans to send mules back to Gangtok for rations. Karponang bungalow is reportedly occupied by two lamas, emissaries of the Tashi Lama, preventing use of that stop.

CONTENT:
7

feet of snow on the pass. Normally the pass is open all
year, the rhododendrons should be coming into flower here,
instead of being under 2 ft of snow as they now are. There
seems little or no hope of our crossing for some days yet.
My bad luck on passes seems to continue. Min. temp in
verandah today was 33°: maximum in verandah 45°, but
maximum outside 50°. Snow is thawing hard, but
fresh light snow continually falling. Light given by
Electrophot in open, between f 16 & 22.

Cine Film B3.
Close up of caravan man. f 8 & x.

8th May. TSOMGO. A lovely morning from sunrise till 9.0, when
mist came down and it snowed. Two men (Danong and a muleteer,
Lepcha Coleen) sent up the pass with mules to see whether we can get on tomorrow.
Ludlow and I walked down towards Lagyap La for birds - the
only collecting we can do. Found one dazed moth in the snow
on the path. 3.0 pm. Danong came back, having gone five
miles towards the Natu La. He reports that even there, the
snow is over five feet deep, and that several mules and their
loads have been lost. He thinks there is no hope of crossing
for five days anyway, and says that even with 50 coolies we
should have no hope. Karponang bungalow is occupied
we believe by two lamas, emissaries of the Tashi Lama
who is thought to be intending to return to Tibet. So we
could not go there even if we wanted to. Our idea is to
let the mules return to Gangtok for rations: send Danong

B. 3.
Tsomgo lake evening and early morning

LSH/1/1/1/1/21 · Part · 1933-05-09
Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

SUMMARY:
The party remains near Tsomgo waiting for the pass to open, collecting near Lagyap La, with the diarist noting a likely delay in reaching Gangtok by the 21st. On 9 May at Tsomgo (Changu), most mules returned to Gangtok with Danong to seek his brother and send food; after collecting birds during a brief clear spell, two lamas—envoys of the Tashi Lama—passed with a 50‑mule caravan bound for Shigatse despite heavy snow.

CONTENT:
8
down for food for ourselves, and remain here till the pass
opens. We can collect a fair amount near Lagyap La
above - more than we could at Karponang. It is still
snowing and raining hard here. The bungalow is quite
reasonably comfortable and with plenty of rhododendron wood,
we can keep it warm. As I have to be in Gangtok
on 21st, it looks as if I would not be able to get over
the pass till after that - it would hardly be worth while.

9th May. TSOMGO (Changu). All except three mules returned to Gangtok
this morning, with Danong (Lepcha Collector) who will try to find out what
has happened to his brother, and will send up food for
us tomorrow. It was fine in the early morning, and
thawing hard, but by 8:30 rain came on. We walked
down three miles to collect some birds, and then rode home
for lunch about 12:00, when it again cleared up for an
hour. The two lamas who have come from China to
arrange or discuss about the return of the Tashi Lama
passed Tsomgo at 12:30 with a caravan of 50 mules.
They had with them a number of coolies who
are to remain with them till their caravan gets over
the pass. We thought that they would manage it, with all
these men, but shortly after they left us, the snow came
on again heavily, and now I can't see how they can
manage. If they do, we hope to also. The Tibetan is a

B. 3. contd. Two lamas, envoys of the Tashi Lama, on their way to Shigatse, pass Tsomgo with a large caravan.

LSH/1/1/4/1/75 · Part · 1933-08-15
Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

SUMMARY:
The diarist reflects on gentians, noting color variation of G. amoena between dry and wet zones, and describes the variable weather around Tso Bunang. At Tso Bunang Lake Camp, they halted as Danong and Tenduk returned from the Tahar La trip with supplies, including gentians from the pass such as Swertia handelii and G. nankeenis.

CONTENT:
Przewalskii 2015 2033
nankeenis 2054 - Swertia 624
otophoroides 2073 147
Otophara 2092
algida 2098
2063 orange-white

Gentians
Last night I was thinking of the gentians we had seen, and where we had seen them, and it certainly appears that all the creamy ones come from the dry zone, or at any rate the transition zone. Wilkie describes G. amoena as light colored, but sometimes blue all over. As far as I have seen, it is common up here, it is always white or cream in the dry zone, or N. of the main range. We collected it twice S. of the range, in the wet zone, once at the Ma-ha once at Sanden, in each case it was a beautiful rich blue.

Tso Bunang is a curious place. All yesterday the S. lake was in shadow, the E. side was in rain, our camp half in sun with a little rain, and the hill to the N. at the end of the lakes in sun all day.

Tso Bunang Lake Camp
17th August. Halt. Found nothing here. Danong and Tenduk came back from the Tahar La trip. They brought some food stuff.

Among the best were three gentians from the top of the pass.
Swertia handelii G. nankeenis
20

LSH/1/1/1/1/5 · Part
Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

SUMMARY:
Itemized transport and travel expenses, tickets, luggage fees, stores, and hires across multiple stages, with payments to staff and tips. Routes include movements between Sialkot, Lahore, Paro, Kalimpong, Gangtok, and Yatung, and through Bhutanese localities such as Wangdupotrang, Ridang, Chendebi, Gyetsa, and Bumthang. Mentions payments to Pintso and Danong and a present from Tobgye.

CONTENT:
Lorry to Sialkot. Rs. 30. To Ha. 12

  • Lahore. Rs. 33. To Paro 46 coolies & 2 ponies 2 days 48.
    Tickets to Calcutta. 245. Pintso's pay 1 mth + 1/2 mth adv. 60. Pd 22/6.
    Excess luggage .. .. 185. Paro to Tsalimape. 49.
    Tickets to Gielle Khola. 83. Tsalimape to Wangdupotrang. 49.
    Excess luggage 100. Wangdi to Ridang (2 stages) 47.
    Stores from Mazda. 500. Ridang - Chendebi. 23.
    2 Cars G. Khola to Kalimpong. 16. Chendebi to Gyetsa. 67
    Hotel Kalimpong 24 Gyetsa to Bumthang. 22.
    1 Car to Gangtok 30 Danong pay June. All & July 40.
    Bullock carts Gielle Khola to Gangtok 34. Extra hire Gangtok - Yatung. 35.
    Transport. 18 ponies to Yatung @ 6/- 126. Presents from Tobgye (boots.) 10.
    Tips Gangtok Residency. 40. Odd expenses on road. 10.
    Karponang Bungalow.
LSH/1/1/4/1/97 · Part · 1933-08-15
Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

SUMMARY:
Notes seeds collected at Shagam La and Tama La (specimen numbers 2570–2572). At Bembi La Camp on 11 Sept., the diarist explored a nearby valley and nala, noted a delphinium and gentians amid heavy rain, and decided to wait for rhododendron seeds. The page sets revised plans and routes for Danong and Tenduk, including movements via Chayul, Tsona, Tawang, Sakden, Mera, Pintojong, and a later rendezvous near Dirangdzong.

CONTENT:
Shagam La & Tama La. 11th Sept. Seeds of:—
P. nyasifolia subsp. jorandrum 2570. P. iocossa 2571.
P. carvana 2572.

Bembi La Camp
11th Sept. Halt. Went up the valley, then to the West to the nala where
there is a small lake. Found nothing but a delphinium, but I
saw there Danong's white gentian of the Chang Chu La. The Chiram
gentian also is nearly in seed. Rained all day, hard in the
afternoon. We think that it will be advisable to wait for seeds
of rhododendron, having taken all the trouble to find them. So
plans are altered & dates now are for Danong & Tenduk to
stay in the Lo La - Langong area till 20th Oct. Then they return
to Chayul meeting me there about 2nd Nov. In the meantime I
will remain in the Lung-Kashong La area from 2nd Oct to 2nd
Nov. Then together we go down via Tsona to Tawang, Sakden
Mera & Pintojong. Danong I hope will manage another trip
from Tawang up the Nyam Jang Chu to the Sang La, Chukar,
Me La, Trashiyangsi & so to Pintojong to catch us all up in
Dirangdzong about 27th Nov, when we

LSH/1/1/2/1/251 · Part · 1969-04-29
Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

SUMMARY:
The diarist describes difficult seed and bulb collection of taxa 552, 553 (Nephelium lancifolium), and 554 on sheer cliffs near Main Thang, with Danong retrieving a few bulbs and pods. Preparations for HH's visit are widespread, with huts, rice, and livestock being assembled, and concerns raised about how HH will finance trips and use forestry resources, noting Bhutanese training at the Forest Department in Dehra Dun and Tobgye's efforts.

CONTENT:
S sends Kuntip to Main Thang to collect seeds Prim. eburnea

We could however not find one seed of 554, and although there were lots of seed pods of 552, most of them were last year's. However we collected about 30 heads. It grows in the most impossible places, on sheer cliff, just hanging on to 1/2" of moss, which is now absolutely dried up. I took a few of the plants of both 552 and 554. The lily (Nephelium lancifolium (553)) was even harder to get. We could see it nowhere at first, but eventually saw a few. Danong with great difficulty got three bulbs and two seed pods. A few others were seen, but we could not possibly reach them without a rope.

Preparations are everywhere in evidence for HH's visit. Huts are being put up for his men, rice is pouring in from all quarters, and the local official has 20 sheep and 6 pigs all ready as a present. What HH is going to do with all this stuff I can't imagine. And how he is going to pay for his trip is also difficult to see. This one may be alright, but this will lead to more, and the country cannot stand more, unless HH does something to enrich it. His easiest way is probably through his forests. Tobgye started off well by getting some Bhutanese trained in the Forest Dept at Dehra Dun. But HH makes no use of them. He must have in some British

LSH/1/1/2/1/207 · Part · 1933-10-08 - 1933-10-09
Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

SUMMARY:
The party halts at Sana amid heavy rain that floods the tent; a Tibetan patient improves as more pus and cores are expelled. Their taphon begs for trousers and is promised pyjamas, and the next day they march to Trashiyangsi Dzong before rain sets in, with Danong and Kurtip returning.

CONTENT:
walk a little and in much less pain. There is still a lot of pus and two cores came out today. With the bright sun leeches have vanished as quickly as they come with the rain. Evening again heavy rain. I'm afraid I shall get no chance of a view from the Donger La, as tomorrow is our last day. I shan't be sorry to leave this place; it has not been very exciting.

8th October. Halted Sana. Very heavy rain last night flooded my tent. A good sunny morning. The Tibetan is very much better, though a lot of pus still comes out, and another core was squeezed out this morning. We sent him off at 1.0pm to get down to the next hut, a mile or two down the hill. Our excellent 'taphon' has just been prostrating himself in front of our tent. When cursed by Ludlow, he came to me. Eventually we found that what he was begging for was a pair of pants. These aren't generally worn in Bhutan, but he seems to think he has risen to them now. I have promised him my pyjamas in two days time, but they won't last him long.

Quercus griffithii 1053
Pleione praecox 1056
9th Oct. TO TRASHIYANGSI DZONG. 11 miles Ht. 5883' (BP. 20.17) Temp 68° A beautiful day until about 2.30 when the rain came on. Danong and Kurtip returned.

LSH/1/1/2/1/231 · Part · 1933-10-21 - 1933-10-22
Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

SUMMARY:
Notes plant damage by yaks, collects seed packets of Meconopsis grandis and Primula waltoni, and takes a colour photo of a gentian beside red Berberis. On a halt at Sakden, Ludlow packs birds while the diarist dries and labels seeds; staff health issues are noted for Pintso and Kuntip, and plans are made to look for Rhododendron rhabdotum seedlings near Muktur. Weather is frosty at night with bright sun and wind during the day.

CONTENT:
114

seeds. The yaks have done a lot of damage to all flowers, as I found lower down where the Meconopsis grandis (600) & red Primula waltoni 598 were in such profusion before. All had been trampled down or eaten; with difficulty I collected a packet of each. A perfect evening: we were out from 5:20 am till 3:30 pm. Took one coloured photo of Gentian 1001 growing beside a lovely piece of Berberis which was bright red (603).

21st October. Halt Sakden. Another perfect day. It is not often we don't go out on a day like this. But we have had a day in camp, Ludlow packing birds etc., I drying & labelling seeds. Both of us also bathing, shaving, hair cuts. Pintso seemed a bit off colour yesterday, & Kuntip's feet are so sore he finds difficulty in walking. He says the frost has got into the cracks; it might easily, his feet are cracked all over. This is a most delightful spot in weather like this. We have frost every night & bright sun & a wind all day. Temp. inside at night +3 ft. = 33°. On the way up to Sakden we looked for Rh. rhabdotum seedlings & I think found three or four. Danong will also look for them near Muktur.

22nd October. Halt Sakden. The good days are gradually

[Marginal notes:]
Mec. grandis 600
Prim. waltoni 598
Gen. amoena 1001
Berberis ludlowii var. sakdenensis 604
Contax No 12 finished on Nyaksang & last photo of Sakden.
Rhod. rhabdotum

LSH/1/1/2/1/57 · Part · 1933-07-08
Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

SUMMARY:
The party travels north past Chio Tso and Kachen Tso, descends to an old lake bed, ascends to Dending La, and then down to Tsona, noting a hot spring near the Dzong, barley cut green for winter fodder, and good grazing. Kurhip becomes ill with a cold fever and is left with Danong while the others push on in cold rain to reach Tsona at 5 pm; the Dzongpen provides the best available room despite poor conditions.

CONTENT:
North over open country with dwarf rhododendron scrub. At m 9 the CHIO TSO is passed - a large lake 1 1/2 to 2 miles long. This drains, like the Kachen Tso to the NYAMBANG CHU. Beyond this there is an easy descent to an old lake bed at m 11. The outlet of this, leading to the East, is passed at m 12. Thence an easy ascent along the side of the hill to the DENDING LA at m 14. Thence descent down a small valley to TSONA village at m 16. The Dzong is one mile beyond, to the north of the plain. Just below the Dzong is a hot spring, the water of which is too hot to hold the hand in. Barley is grown cut green for cattle fodder in the winter. Village of 60-100 houses. Good grazing for yaks and sheep all around it.

Our bad luck still follows us. When only 2 miles out, Kurhip, who has not been too fit lately, had to give up. When he stopped he was shaking with a cold fever. We left him with Danong - plenty of clothes and medicine and pushed on, getting in at 5.0 pm. It again rained the whole way, and was very cold indeed. Tsona is a filthy place, and we were given the best room - as foul as a room could very well be. However we realised that the Dzongpen was one to please, and had done what he could for us. Kit came in at odd hours, some at