Affichage de 12 résultats

SUMMARY:
Orchids and magnolias were noted near the pass, and a snake that struck the diarist’s shoe was killed by Tsongpen. Rinso struggled with the local dialect, and the writer records route details around Nabzi, including the confluence at Nimjhong, the path to Trongsa via the Takotse La, and camp and weather notes.

CONTENT:
Coelogyne corymbosa 2954 Dendrobium nobile 2957 10
Phaius flavus 2956

Other flowers were mostly orchids. We passed and killed one snake, said to be poisonous. It ran right into my foot, hitting my shoe, but did not seem to be particularly angry. Tsongpen dealt with it with a stick. Magnolias were very common up near the pass; as there were some pink ones, they are probably Mag. campbellii. But the one we took was neither that nor M. globosa, probably a michelia. The locals talk a dialect Rinso has a great deal of difficulty in understanding. Beside the village, opposite, there are some Pinus longifolia, but not enough to exploit. This river meets the Trongsa Chu at Nimjhong. From Nabzi a path leads to Trongsa and takes five days from here. There is sometimes some snow, but the path is open all year round, over the Takotse La.

29th April. Nabzi. 1 1/2 m. BP. 204.2° Temp 4000' 76° Time 4.0 pm.
Kept the coolies and came on here this morning, as being a better camp. Path crosses river by bridge and leads straight up to the cultivated fields of buckwheat. At the top of these lies Nabzi, where there is a monastery. Fine all day yesterday and all last night.

SUMMARY:
The diarist reports scarce, undrinkable water and a poor route. On 3rd May they camped on a ridge south of Jirgang Chu, with rain overnight, clear morning, and mist returning at noon; coolies traveled from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm. They glimpsed Dungshigou and noted abundant rhododendrons and magnolias (Nos. 2980, 2982, 2983) with color variation by elevation.

CONTENT:
down, but I could not get a clear space through the forest to get a photograph. There is some drift snow still on it. The water here is quite undrinkable and very scarce. Tomorrow there is none at all, either on the way or at camp. In fact this is not too good a route altogether.

3rd May. Camp on ridge S. of Jirgang Chu 5 miles. Coolies 6:00 am to 1:00 pm. Rained pretty hard a good deal of the night, but was clear and bright in the morning, mist came up again at 12:00. Got a glimpse of Dungshigou through the trees at 6:30. The path was more non-existent than ever today, and a lot of cutting had to be done. But it follows the extreme ridge almost all the way. We came across first a white epiphytic Rhododendron (No 2980, Rh. Dalhousiae? Lindleyi?) then a lot of Magnolia Campbellii (No 2982). Then Rh. grande (falconeri) (No 2983) which covers an area on the hillside everywhere. It is in full bloom and really a grand sight. Low down it was definitely yellow with a biggish magenta blotch, but higher up was much paler with a small blotch. Here there were some pink

SUMMARY:
Notes on departure with mule transport, observations of conifers, magnolias and daphnes, and a dispute over extra pony rations. Ludlow indicates the route to Changu, Sikkim; arrival at TSOMGO (10 miles, 12,400') with snow starting at 12:30. Cine film B.1 taken between Kalimpong and near Lagyap La.

CONTENT:
50-60 ft high. A good many are in bloom, but all have been terribly spoilt by the hail. Magnolias & daphnes too are numerous: I think it is mag. campbellii - some of the trees being 70-90 ft high with huge blooms. Collected seven birds but no flowers. The transport is mule & far away the best I've seen: they did the full 10 miles in a little under four hours. We took one riding pony, but I walked. Once the order to load up was given, they were off in half an hour - a jolly good performance on the first morning. Had to pay Rs 6/- for three extra ponies = 1 per 6 baggage ponies for their rations. I'm sure that is not right, but Rai Bahadur Norbu said we should pay: he is probably in with the transport people. Williamson is too weak to tell them they can't have it. It is grand to be off, & to see conifers in the distance again.

Ludlow says "To Changu Sikkim"
6th May. TSOMGO. 10 miles. 12400'. A lovely morning, but clouded

Cine film No.
B.1. taken between Kalimpong and near Lagyap La. All with filter. Snows with f 5.6-11 at 6.30 am.

over by 1200. In at 1230, when snow started falling. Passed in zone of conifers and rhododend

SUMMARY:
An easy downhill march from Takhtoo to a standard camp with rhododendrons and Magnolia campbellii in bloom; Primula denticulata is common, and a young Tibetan mastiff was bought in Sanden. From Phungni on the 16th March, heavy smoke over Bhutan from widespread grass burning is noted, with half-burnt rhododendrons and contrasting vegetation on the valley’s north and south faces; Ludlow remarks on rapid changes over a few days.

CONTENT:
very pleasant - a good wind and hot sun.

15th Takhtoo. A very easy march downhill to a pleasant
(Rhod. kingianum 1184, arboreum 1185, grande 1186) camp of the standard pattern, which is beginning to spoil
us badly. Nothing very much on the way, but rhododendrons
are beginning to come out and a marked difference was
seen by Ludlow from the time he came up this way only
(Mag Campbellii) four or five days ago. Magnolia Campbellii is in full
bloom still. It only has an altitude range of about
(Prim denticulata) 1000 - 1500 ft. Prim. denticulata (erythrocarpa?) is
everywhere, as is a red rhododendron rather like arboreum.
Bought a dog in Sanden, which is rapidly becoming
happy with us. He is a young Tibetan mastiff, for
which Rs 2/- would seem a small price at home.

16th March. Phungni. The smoke over Bhutan is very
(Between Takhtoo and Phungni) marked, one can only see a mile or so each day.
(NB) The reason is that the rank old grass is now dry and
being burnt everywhere to allow young grass to come up.
It is horrible to see half burnt rhododendrons everywhere.
The North face of the valley is covered with a mixture of
trees, mostly evergreen, while the South face was today

SUMMARY:
Travel over a ridge to Changpu with cultivation; vegetation noted as rhododendron and deciduous oak, a primula without flowers near camp, and a drawn study of a small-flowered magnolia above camp. The party then marched about 4 miles to Sanglung, crossing the frontier at a side nala, passing a small village, with rain from midday; inhabitants mostly Takpas with some Tibetans and few flowers seen apart from an acacia.

CONTENT:
Then steadily up pretty steeply most of the way over a ridge to Changpu. There is some cultivation on the way, and a lot at Changpu. Here the vegetation is mostly rhododendron deciduous oak. I found a primula growing in a damp place close to camp, but no flowers to be seen. All had been eaten by sheep & cows. Dawaing for an interesting magnolia, new to us, 1220. Flower much smaller than M. Campbellii. It is above camp about 800 yards up from the path. We are in for a good deal of trouble now I fear. Marches seem to be restricted to 3 or 4 miles, & we are at the frontier tomorrow, where transport will be very uncertain.

22nd March. To Sanglung. 4 miles. B.P. 202.7° Temp. 63. Approx Ht. 5208'.
Road is down hill for 1/2 mile, crossed the frontier at an insignificant side nala, then climbs gradually to a ridge where at m 2 Behing a small village is passed. Thence down hill, steeply in places to a side nala & up to Sanglung on the other side. Inhabitants nearly all Takpas, with some Tibetans. It rained a little last night, & again today from midday onwards. No flowers seen but an acacia

SUMMARY:
Observations note a steep-sided Nyam Jang Chu valley with villages high above the river, abundant Primula denticulata, and few other flowers. On 24 March a halt at Gyipu included a jungle walk with Magnolia campbellii and rhododendron seen, and on 25 March the party marched to Shakti over ridges with scarce flowers but plentiful Lilium giganteum in damp places.

CONTENT:
3 or 4 ft. of snow on it. Primula denticulata is very common here again. I can't see much else, but in the jungle some way away there are flowering trees. The Nyam Jang Chu valley is very steep sided. Villages here are numerous & fairly big, all situated 2000 ft above the river. Hence the reason for going up & down all the time.

24th March. Halt Gyipu. A lovely morning, with no clouds, but by 2.0pm, it was clouded over. No rain here, but some up the valley. I went up through the jungle, but saw nothing but a primula not in flower, a lot of Magnolia Campbellii & a Rhododendron. The main valley is precipitous most of the way up as far as we can see.

Prim. denticulata? is everywhere, as at Takhtoo.

25th March. To SHAKTI. BP. 199.9 Temp 58° 5.5pm Approx ht. 6790 ft.

The usual march, round a few ridges, down 1500 ft & up about the same again, across a side valley etc. There is not much difference in this place & in Gyipu. Flowers are few & far between. I have never seen so many Lilium giganteum as there are in nearly all damp places, both

SUMMARY:
Notes describe masses of Primula denticulata near Ayipu and few flowers around a halt at Shakti, with magnolias and pine noted on nearby hillsides. The march to Pangchen (10 miles) includes river crossings by bamboo bridge, travel along the right and left banks, and a landmark Chorten Qorra, with observations on weather, temperature, and altitude.

CONTENT:
here at Ayipu. They were first seen at Kini, but on this side one sometimes sees the ground covered with them. At the moment they are only a foot or two high. Primula denticulata (Tahtoo) is here in masses too. There is a patch of fine old pine trees (Pinus wallichiana 1231) above the village (1231) - magnolias are common a little further up. A lovely day till the afternoon, then clouded, some rain by 5.30 pm.

26th March. Halt Shakti. A fine day again. But I can find no flowers anywhere, only a few trees of interest. Primula denticulata (1202) is wonderful in places, whole stretches of the hillside being covered with them. And Magnolia campbellii too shows up as a belt of white at about 8500, running round the hillside. (Juniperus recurva).

To 27th March. Pangchen. 10 miles. B.P. 199.8° Temp. 66° 3.0 pm. Approx height 6953'. A better march as far as length is concerned. Down to the river, which is crossed by a bamboo bridge at mile 2. Then up the Right bank, close to the river the whole way to an enormous Chorten Qorra at mile 8. Cross the river again just above here to the Left bank. Then sharply

SUMMARY:
Notes describe a valley with magnolia and pine, a Jasminum dispermum at a bamboo bridge, and Primula gracilipes at a waterfall by the Chorten, thought to be where Kingdon Ward previously collected it. On 28th March at Pangchen, a few orchids and Mahonia sidneyi sp. nov. were found; ticks were troublesome, and the party decided the locality was poor but stayed due to illness.

CONTENT:
up where an old landslide has made a block in the
valley. At mile 9, the valley opens out and there is a
plain about 2 miles long and at most 500 acres. Got
a Jasminum dispermum at the first bamboo bridge 1238, and a few
other shrubs of not much interest. Primula gracilipes was still
just in flower at the waterfall beside the Chorten, but
nearly over. This must be the place that Kingdon Ward
took it from. I saw it at no other waterfalls today.
This place is lower than I had hoped. Most flowers are
probably above 10,000 or below 6,000 just now. Magnolia
campbellii trees make a white line along the hillsides,
they are abundant and beautiful, between about 7,500 - 8,500 or a little higher. There are
a fine lot of pines here. The East face is more or
less covered with them right down to camp.

28th March. Halt Pangchen. Nothing found today but a
Cymbidium hookerianum 1245, Mahonia sidneyi sp. nov. 1247,
Dendrobium and Primula gracilipes again, above Pangchen to the East.
Ticks are now becoming a curse; I found myself
covered with them several times this morning when in
bamboo forest among ferns. We have decided this place
is no good, will go on as soon as possible, but had to stay on account of illness.

SUMMARY:
The diarist travels 9 miles to Le in wet monsoon conditions with difficulty obtaining coolies, noting a fine, sweet-scented rhododendron near the top end of the Pangchen plain and abundant magnolias above camp. A preceding note mentions plants at Sanga Choling and Chosam, lack of gentians and Cyananthus wardii seed above Sanga Choling, and time spent in Tsari in July and September.

CONTENT:
36

Sanga Choling, Adonis at Chosam and several other plants. I got no gentians nor seed of Cyananthus wardii which is abundant above Sanga Choling, — ... I was in Tsari for a week in July and a bad week in September."

4th April. To Le. 9 miles. B.P. 197.5° Temp. 51. Time 4.30 p.m. Ht. 8050'.

Quite a good day, but very wet from 10.30 on. The monsoon seems definitely to have begun in earnest. Coolies difficult to get, some had not arrived by 7.0 p.m. The finest flower seen was a Rhododendron 1269, about 1/2 m above the bridge at the top end of the Pangchen plain. It really is a grand flower & sweet smelling as well. More R. Boothii (R. gracilipes) also seen at most waterfalls. At one, beside the second bridge, it must have been a wonderful sight a month ago, but is all over now. The path is good the whole way, but built up on galleries here & there over the river. But it is well built everywhere, & not in bad repair. Only a few houses here. Rhododendrons not numerous, but magnolias (Magnolia campbellii) are a wonderful sight just above us here.

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