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Camp on S. Ridge of Jirgang Chu; weather and route decisions

LSH/1/1/5/1/37 · Part · 1937-05-03

Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

Crossing Lo La and plant discoveries along the Chudi Chu

LSH/1/1/7/1/21 · Part · 1940-04-22

Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

SUMMARY:
After a snowfall delay, the party crossed the Lo La on April 24 and descended the steep south side into the Rhododendron–Abies forest. Along the Chudi Chu they observed numerous Rhododendron and Primula species, including the new Primula P. chionogenes and another unnamed Primula on an inaccessible cliff.

CONTENT:
were in bud, and a few Rhododendrons - e.g. R. hirtipes, and R. cinnabarinum var. roylei were just in bloom. But we did not expect very much on the North side. Owing to fresh soft snow falling, we had to wait one day before crossing the Lo La, but early on April 24th we crossed while the snow was still frozen with no difficulty. The ascent up the North side is easy and gradual, but the descent on the South is almost precipitous. Except in the valley bed, there was little snow on the South face, and we came upon our first flower - P. atrodentata - almost at once, covering ledges of a cliff. A short way down we reached the Rhododendron - Abies forest. We were still a little too early for the majority of Rhododendrons, but found R. exasperatum, R. lopsangianum, R. forrestii, R. hodgsonii, and R. commodum in full bloom. The earlier Primulas too were showing. Where the snow had just melted, and even where it had not quite gone, there were many plants of P. vernicosa. Close beside it was Bryocarpum himalaicum. On the left bank of the Chudi Chu, down which valley we now made our way, there is an inaccessible cliff which was most annoying. Had we been able to scale this our bag would have been much greater. However, avalanches swept over this in the early spring and brought with them seeds or roots of plants from much higher up. Among these was a new Primula - P. chionogenes - which showed itself as a compact little golden clump of almost precocious flowers, growing on a bank just uncovered by avalanche snow. On the cliff was another new Primula (not yet named - like P. clutterbuckii) which we had great difficulty in reaching.

Next day we continued down the Chudi Chu through dense and very wet forest. More Rhodos were taken, including R. uvariifolium, R. neriiflorum, R. hookeri and R. ciliatum. At the lowest point reached, about 8500', R. lindleyi was very common in flower.

Phobsikha to Lao La: weather, plant collecting, and route notes

LSH/1/1/5/1/95 · Part · 1928-05-31 - 1928-06-02

Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

Photographic log: B.W. Filmpack 2, Dufaycolor 2nd Batch, and Kodachrome (April 1949)

LSH/1/1/9/1/18 · Part · 1949-04-12 - 1949-04-21

Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

Photographic notes: Rip La, Tom Tom view, and Denchung (29/04/1949–06/05/1949)

LSH/1/1/9/1/26 · Part · 1949-04-29 - 1949-05-06

Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

Pimi to RUDO LA in snow, with notes on Tang valley cultivation

LSH/1/1/9/1/21 · Part · 1949-04-21

Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

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.