Showing 38 results

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.

SUMMARY:
At Tsona on 8 November, after a very cold night, the diarist arrived early; Pintso prepared for departure toward the Kechen La, while Ludlow, delayed at Tawang and Sakden, had reached Trashigang on 28 October with seeds and flowers. The diarist dealt with a Dzongpen, noted missing post, and had mail from Chayul forwarded; on 9 November the party left Tsona joyfully for a camp north of Kechen La amid evening clouds over the Nyam Jang Chu, though yaks were delayed.

CONTENT:
8th November. Tsona. 14500. 9 miles. A perfect day, and little wind. Temp fell to 5°F last night, the coldest we have had. I came straight on and got here at 10:30, a very short day for a change. Pintso had been here 2 days, and he thinks all is well for our leaving tomorrow, but only as far as the Kechen La. Kit arrived in good order by 11:30. Ludlow had to halt 2 days and had a lot of trouble on the way down at Tawang and from there to Sakden, reaching Trashigang on 28th Oct. He got some good seeds on the way down, and some more flowers of interest. I had to call on a second rate of Dzongpen, which wasted some time. Everyone very glad to get here, where they feel they are near home. No post had reached Ludlow by 28th, so I can expect none till I get to Trashigang. The lost post has not been traced yet, and I doubt if it will be. My post from Chayul was still lying here when Pintso arrived. He sent it on two days ago.

9th November. Camp N of Kechen La 15000' 9 miles. A perfect day. Clouds in the evening rushing over the passes of the Nyam Jang Chu and then dispersing. With the very greatest of joy, we all shook the dust of Tsona off our feet. Pintso's arrangements were good, but as expected, the yaks did not turn up till

SUMMARY:
At Tsona, the party hiked above camp, photographed Paraquilegia grandiflora, collected butterflies, and shot a few birds, then spent the afternoon developing and packing, leaving a dump of 11 boxes. Mail arrived after a month; Kurtip recovered, and it is noted that permission to reach the area was hard-won in Lhasa, while Pintso had exaggerated the cost of gifts given earlier.

CONTENT:
31

Most of this was genuine first-hand appreciation, but Pintso made the best of things, and told them that the bowl cost Rs 45/-. Actually it cost Rs 8/-. He compared the cloth to my Harris tweed, whereas it cost Rs 5/- for the piece of 5 yards we gave. Kurtip is a better man today. He is up and about. I don't know how he managed that trip from Shao yesterday.

18th July. Halt Tsona. Heavy rain during the night, but a good clear day. Ludlow and I went up the hill behind camp in the early morning. I took 2 good colour photos of the Paraquilegia grandiflora (No 678). We then wandered about the hillsides, and collected some good butterflies - three Parnassius and 2 or 3 Colias, - later on I shot a few birds. Spent the afternoon developing and packing up. We leave a dump of 11 boxes here till our return. Kurtip now normal again and fit enough to start off with us tomorrow for Mago. This afternoon our first mail arrived - just a month since the last. I hear from Tsona that we were lucky to get here. Rai Bahadur Norbhu had to try six times in Lhasa, the Kashag was very reluctant to grant permission. It seems the Chinese are doing

SUMMARY:
During a halt at Langong, two local men reconnoitred the Chiniung La, encountering deep snow, a half-frozen lake to the south, remains of Lopas on the pass, and few flowers, while the diarist records plant notes and a long circuit over the main range. That evening the gyimpon described local customs regarding Lopas and claimed that “Highburn Pk” near Tso Kar is the real Takpa Shiri; the writer wished to hear the account through Pintso but struggled to understand Kusho, who had been drinking chang. The party then moved to a camp south of the Tse La in heavy rain.

CONTENT:
Chiniung La
Trip to Chiniung La

20th June. Halt Langong. Rain nearly all day, finer in the evening. Trompen or rather two locals went up the valley to the South of Langong to try the South of the main range. It took 3 hours to reach the pass, going without a halt. The pass is called the CHINIUNG LA, (BP. 185.0, Temp 51°. 9.0 am, Ht. approx 15318.) There is a good deal of deep snow on this side still, but sufficient has melted to show the remains of some Lopas who died on the pass last year. Five died there, but we only saw one. They don't just leave their dead where they lie, but put a few stones round them, cover them with their hats & their fibre rain coat affair, then leave them little bundles of tsampa or food, & stick their bow up at one end. The arrows however, seem to have been taken away. Two Lopas crossed this pass last week & returned. On the South side, about 500 ft. down is a large lake, still half frozen, which shows how late things are here. There were hardly any flowers out as far as we went - P. Valentiniana near others of P. tsariensis. We got nothing on the South side. Then we did a big circle round to the left, over the main range again, but there was little new. P. chamaethamna was really more beautiful in masses, occasionally mixed with P. tsariensis. P. Hobsonii common & also P. macrophylla 5608. P. rotundifolia 5606 was common near the Chiniung La. Out at 5.30, back at 3.30 pm. pretty tired. The gyimpon this evening said they had not much trouble with the Lopas. When they come, a yak is killed on a stone & both the Lopas & the Langong people drink the blood. After this there is no trouble between the men, but he said that perhaps a woman or two or a child might get hit up, he did not know much about them. Tomorrow they have some kind of tamasha. As far as I can make out, they all go out with guns & let them off in Pachakshiri direction. It seems some idea of frightening the Lopas, who however know nothing about it all. I should like to have heard the whole story through Pintso. Kushos Urdu or Hindi is about as good as my Tibetan, & he is almost impossible to understand, especially as he had been drinking chang this evening. The gyimpon insists that the "Highburn Pk" - near Tso Kar - is the real Takpa Shiri, & that it is universally so called. I wonder if he can be right?

21st June. Camp S. of the Tse La. 6 miles. BP. 186.4° Temp. 50° Time 3.30 pm. Ap. ht. 14457'. Heavy rain

SUMMARY:
Entries describe marches and halts from Trimo to Le, Pangchen, Shakti and Karteng with snow, rain and heat, while collecting seeds and specimens including rhododendrons. Notes include Ludlow’s rapid travel from S. Chöling, recovery of Pintso and Tsungpen, efficient Monba coolies, Tawang people wishing to come under Assam while taxed by Tsona, and Guha going missing after taking a wrong path.

CONTENT:
85

Trimo
11th November. Halt. Clouded all day: no sun: snow falling on hills & slight rain here. Much colder than I expected. Pintso & Tsungpen both recovered, Pintso not fully yet. Collected odd rhododendron & other seed. Ludlow moved quickly here from S. Chöling, the same marches as I did, & apparently quite easily because he was able to use dzong-dzong transport, which I could not.
I hear the Tawang people are all anxious to come under Assam, but are still paying large taxes to Tsona in the form of wooden planks.

To
12th November. Le. Clouded all day till 4.0pm. Snowed all night right down to Trimo village, & rained all day till we reached here at 3.0pm. As Tsering has taken 150 specimens between Trimo & Shakti, I am not likely to find anything that he has not got. Got a few seeds & about 15 specimens. Clothed for snow as I was, found it very hot marching down here. But the evening is cool enough. These Monba coolies are very good & fast, waste no time on the road.
R. crassum 6676.

To
13th November. Pangchen. Fine all day. First clear sky in morning. Clouds low in evening. Nice & warm down here at 7000 ft. Found Rhod. rhabdotum (Dalhousie 6694) at the same place just above Pangchen that we took R. lindleyi from in 1936, but seeds not begun yet to turn brown.
P. prunifer

To
14th November. Shakti. Heavy rain last night. Fine today: clouded in evening. It was very hot coming up from the bridge over the Nyam Jang Chu — a long steep climb. I sent Guha on from the bridge at 11.30, he must have taken the wrong path, as he has not turned up at 5.0pm. Poor old Guha, he will be sorry for himself. Got a few more seeds today & took about 15 specimens.
Codonopsis ovata 6702, Crawfurdia Campanulaceae 6703, Prunus cerasoides 6708, Wightia gigantea 6700

To
15th November. Karteng (Kapleng). Clouded nearly all day, with rain in the evening. Rather nice having rain now as it keeps it cool. Changed transport twice, & should have changed a third time too. Karteng is directly opposite the bridge leading across the river. The people here — & from below Pangchen are all Takpas; only Monbas are above Pangchen. Both seem a good crowd. Took seed of what I think is Albizzia Sherriffii & saw near here a good deal of Luculia gratissima, which always strikes me as a most beautiful shrub. It is a pity it is not hardy.
Kapleng & Jy-iper. Sarcococca hookeriana 6716, Luculia gratissima 6720, Lindenbergia grandiflora 6721

SUMMARY:
Itemized expenses and payments for travel, wages, tips, and supplies, including lorry to Srinagar, bungalow charges, road expenses, parcels, and tickets. Mentions payments to Damang, Pintso, A. Sheikh, and a watch for R.S. Lama, with routes involving Yatung, Kalimpong, and Calcutta.

CONTENT:
2907
Damang 110. Pay incl Sept. ✓ Lorry to Srinagar. 120.
Pintso. 120 Pay incl. Aug. ✓ Tolls etc. 30
Pintso (road exp). 40. for Damang. ✓ 150
Lhuentse syces. 4. ✓ 1856
Kurtip. 40. ✓ 2907
A. Sheikh. 10. 4913

Jongpens men 10. 3241 Damang pay & b'shish. 40
Postmaster Yatung 150 (S.) Pintso 65

• • 150 (L.) Tenduk. 60
    Nangarbe. 5078
    Tips Lhakang to 15.
    Pay 130. Ration 20
    Kusho. Adv. 30 180
    Tenduk 5 + 10 15.
    Gyantse bungalow. 32.
    Bungalow to Yatung 32.
    Rs/
    Expenses on road. 15.
    Yatung to Kalimpong. 228.
    Coolies. 10
    Bungalows & etc. 12
    Watch for R.S. Lama 22.
    Kalimpong. 32
    Parcels. 10
    To Calcutta 175
    To Sealkote Tickets. 273
    Luggage 171.

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.

SUMMARY:
Pintso went to Tiyangsi to hire coolies to trace lost mail that had earlier come via Dirang, Mago, Atsona, and Dongkar. On the Maharaja’s orders, a Dzongpen sent four boxes of jackfruit that arrived inedible after a long journey amid heavy rain; Kuntip’s stomach trouble returned, and the party halted at Shingbe, with Danang noted.

CONTENT:
74

day. Pintso went down to Tiyangsi to get coolies to send off to find out about the lost mails. When our last mail arrived - the one that went all round by Dirang Mago Atsona to Dongkar - four other coolies came with it.

Contax
5.6.7.8 sent
23.8.
Cine film

7. 8. 9 ditto.
      F. Pack
      No 2 ditto.
      Kodak
      Calcutta.

The Maharaja had kindly given orders to one of his Dzongpens to send the Sahibs some fruit. So he obeyed, and sent off on a 20-day journey four huge boxes of jack fruits. The jack fruit is a disgusting fruit at the best of times. It looks (and smells) like a sheep's stomach. After a month's knocking about it is quite definitely not fit to eat. We were hoping the box would contain vegetables, so our disappointment can be imagined when this mass of mush was opened up. It rained hard all day. Our washing was optimistically hung out to dry in the morning, and remains out tonight wetter than when hung up. Kuntip in the morning was his old self again, but suddenly developed his tummy ache again. I'm afraid his inside is seriously out of order.

24th August. Halt at Shingbe. Danang. Gulla ol )

SUMMARY:
Diary entry from Thang describing a clear day’s march avoiding the Tun La by going down-valley and up to the Rala La, noting snow conditions, frozen lake, and wildlife. Seeds of gentian (no. 2006) and other seeds were collected, and birds were shot and skinned; blackbirds were seen. Plans to arrive on the 8th with transport on the 9th are mentioned, and the Tsonpen is unwell.

CONTENT:
high ones tomorrow, and then only remain the passes on the way from Tsona to Tawang. Pintso has been warned that we will arrive on 8th and hope will have transport ready for the 9th without our having to wait.

7th November. Thang 14,000' 13 miles. Another perfect day, but a few clouds beginning to come up this evening. Left at 6:30, in at 2:00 pm. Yaks went very well indeed. Temp. last night down to 8°F, but wind was very slight all night. Instead of going over the Tun La we went straight down the valley to m 1 1/2 where we turned up the nala leading to the Rala La, and met the Tun La road at m 4. The N face of the Tun La was very thick with snow. Collected a few seeds of gentian 2006, that little beauty first seen on the Trakan La. Also a few other seeds. Shot 1 snow cock and skinned it, and two partridges in perfect plumage and skinned one of them. Tsonpen not too well in the tummy. I think we'll have to halt a day somewhere, though I feel as fit as a flea and have walked everywhere since 4th October. Rala La almost free of snow, only a little on NW side. Lake nearly frozen over this side of pass. A few blackbirds seen as usual here.

SUMMARY:
Notes on transport arrangements from Tawang, with Ludlow departing and hopes to leave with minimal changes. Describes cold, bleak weather around Kechen Tso and Kechen La, lists remaining passes toward Trashigong, and details a long day’s march from Tawang with extensive alpine plant collecting near Milakatong and Bum La.

CONTENT:
through. Pintso has great hopes of our getting away well from Tawang. If we do, he deserves a medal. Ludlow got off at 11.30 and had four changes of transport. We hope we may only have one. The Kechen Tso was not really pretty today. The sky was not the same blue as yesterday and everything had a harsh bleak look about it, and it was damnably cold coming down from the Kechen La. There remain now only the Bum La, the Nyingsang La, Nyuhsang La and Milong La, before we get down to Trashigong - one pass per day's march.

11th November. Tawang 10,500' 16 miles. Clear in the morning as far as the Milakatong north side. Then thick mist all the way here. Left at 6.30 am, hit and ourselves in at 4.30 pm. A long day but interesting. A small gentian collected on the Bum La, then a rhododendron, a primula like sapphirina on the rocks, I don't know what it will be. Some white Mec. horridula and Gent. elwesii on the Milakatong, with some Prim. gambeliana. Lower down in a swamp Prim. sijmediana (?), another rhododendron, a white prim. obliqua, a little of a marsh primula 6" scape, two more gentians, two more rhododendrons and a swertia. A good haul. All seems well