Showing 3 results

SUMMARY:
Ascent to Takar La in heavy rain followed by a descent into a dry zone with lingering snow and old avalanches made travel difficult for ponies. The writer notes abundant primulas on the east side, observes and releases a Lerwa chick, and records P. bellidifolia, K.W.'s new sikkimensis, and P. tibetica near camp.

CONTENT:
Sherriff
Takar La 28. Potentilla glabra var. rhodocalyx 2231, Gentianella 2233, Androsace zayuanensis 2234, Anemone strigillosa v. canescens 2235, Anemone demissa var. grandiflora 2236, Corydalis 2237, 2238, Pedic. oldenii 2239.
Sherriff

28th June. Camp Zimsakhi 14000' 8 miles. Rained hard all morning as we climbed to the Takar La (16700') at about 11.5. The rain continued to half way down here, then we were in the dry zone, & could see there had been no rain down here. Both sides of the pass have much snow, old avalanches which will stay all year I suppose. There were masses of primulas on the E side, far more than on this side. All kinds of sikkimensis, yellow & white (2211 & 2212), the red one (odontica) 2158 in masses & the little white (vernicosa) 1615. But nothing new could we see. At about 15500 saw four Lerwa with young. Caught one chick & released it. Snow made it difficult for the ponies on the way down, often had a job, unloading, walking over their saddle cloths & then on again. All bare shale slopes both sides near the top. On this side the descent is steep most of the way every step down the last bit to camp. P. bellidifolia is pretty common on the open hillside & among scrub. K.W.'s new sikkimensis is not common. It is a queer flower, the claws folded right back on the tube & calyx - not altogether pretty, but with a most beautiful scent. P. tibetica is still in bloom & growing.

SUMMARY:
Notes record Ludlow at Chayul Dzong, listing seeds of P. tibetica, Ceratostigma, and Iris decora. The page also indicates movement toward Tro Shika.

CONTENT:
Ludlow at Chayul Dzong

Seeds of P. tibetica
Seeds of Ceratostigma
Seeds of the beautiful Iris decora

Ludlow to Tro Shika

SUMMARY:
The diarist travels from Go-Cyae in perfect weather, noting tame gazelle, kyang, high passes, and sightings of parnassius butterflies, with observations on elevation, vegetation, and local attire. On 19 May they make a long march to Dongkar Dzong with mules and donkeys, encounter unhelpful local officials (Chanzo and Gyimpon) but find tipping effective, and plan to continue toward Trimo via Lior, noting Primula in flower and changing peoples along the route.

CONTENT:
18th May. Go-Cyae. A perfect day without a cloud in the sky as we started off at 7.0. We were in at 1.30, again at 2.0pm. The day remained perfect, with fine cumulus clouds, but no storms anywhere. Again we saw many gazelle, all of which were tame, and some kyang. The hills are still very dry, but begin here to show signs of heavier rainfall. On the Chidney La we saw 4 parnassius butterflies, but I failed to catch any. All these passes are high, though easy. I judge all are 16500' or perhaps more. The Yangtse is perhaps 15500' or a bit more, and I should think the Triju Tso must be over 15000'. This place is perhaps 14000', as there are a few dwarf juniper appearing here. The women here all wear big amber necklaces. There are only three houses and a Gompa.

19th May. Dongkar Dzong. 17 miles. A longish march, but we had first class mules and 4 donkeys which kept up with us all the way here. We left at 6.40 and got in at 2.0pm, going well. The route is not very interesting, only shows signs of more vegetation in the last 3 or 4 miles. The Chanzo here is a silly little man who is not one to help. The Gyimpon also was not one to help. I tipped the latter, who became at once much more easy to deal with. This is not a Dzong so the Chanzo claimed he could do nothing with me, but eventually agreed to send me on to Trimo. I fear we may have some difficulty there too, without any authority from Tsona. But I will again try what a tip will do. Prim. sikkimensis and P. tibetica in flower here and generally more signs of life. It is further from here to Trimo than I imagined, we are told 3 days will be necessary. First to Lior only by yak: thence coolies. The road is said to be bad after Lior and very difficult. But there is one thing: the people will be pleasanter after leaving here, I feel sure. They are Tibetan to Trimo then Monba, then Tahpa.