Showing 31 results

SUMMARY:
The diarist records plant collections and observations, noting poor weather but good flowers, and a promising valley toward the Chachu La with yak shelters and a large lake. While halted in camp, they receive mail from Betty via Wangmo’s servant to Bumthang and send replies; they also collect the first seeds of the year. On 3rd July they make a long day trip to Tolegang, pressing 18 specimens including Primula waddellii.

CONTENT:
1st July: Saxifraga brunoniana 19270.
Rhod. calderianum 19277.
Streptopus simplex 19280.
Cardiocrinum giganteum 19284.

...for a few nice things, the best being what I think is a Buddleia, but if so, it's a much bigger flower than B. colvilei (19272) which it somewhat resembles. Lil. giganteum is also common down the valley, and Briggsia (B. muscicola 19266), on a tree, is rather nice. A miserable day for weather, but a good day for flowers.

2nd July. Halt. In camp, and fine in the morning after a night of very heavy rain indeed. From what I saw of the valley towards the Chachu La, it is good. But one would have to spend a night or two up there. There are two yak herds' shelters, one at 13500, and one above 14500 just near the biggest lake I have seen in Bhutan. That would be a good place. There are magnificent cliffs all around, and I did get two nice saxs from the only cliffs I visited. But primulas, other than calderiana and umbratilis were scarce. P. umbratilis is common at 14500 and rather paler. I saw one white one, and hope it may mean that real white ones are close. If we can't get good places in Haubung, we must return there. A mail from Betty came in on 30th night, very surprisingly, sent by Wangmo's servant to Bumthang. So I have written letters to Betty and Wangmo, to go off today if possible — or at any rate tomorrow. We collected the first of this year's seed — P. atrodentata. This is always the first to seed, and unless one takes it soon, it is likely to be eaten by yaks.

3rd July. Halt. Went to Tolegang, and had a day with hardly any rain, but a long one. Left at 6.0 am and back at 5.0 pm rather tired, but with 18 flowers (19330) in the press, some good ones amongst them, including Primula waddellii, which I had forgotten was so very pink and different in colour from P. tenuiloba. There can be no mistaking the two. After reaching the lake, we turned up right...

SUMMARY:
Wet, misty morning with a clearer afternoon before rain while traveling between Yüto and Takar La at about 14,000 ft; the writer rode most of the way and spent four hours on the hillside. Numerous Primula were noted (including P. cawdoriana 2224 near Yüto, P. roylei, sikkimensis, and others), plus a single dwarf rhododendron (2225) and a gentian (2230); the path was easy after Kinghor but steep between Yume and Gompo Rong, and the river was barely fordable.

CONTENT:
of any particular interest. Rained all morning - more or less fine in afternoon. Mist down on hills all day.

27th June. Camp between Yüto & Takar La. About 14000'. 7 miles.

Wet & misty all morning. Fairly clear in afternoon till 4.0pm: then rain. I expected rather more than we got, but we saw a good many old friends: Ramzana's prim. is common in little patches. P. Cawdoriana 2224 is plentiful on a cliff below Yüto on the R hand side. Above here P. Roylei & the P. that is always with it, & the little white Petiolaris. Also 2137 the very small one, glabra & atrodentata. The big sikkimensis is everywhere & fine big flowers on it, also the candelabra red one (microdonta?).

An interesting rhododendron dwarf 2225 of which only one was seen, & another gentian 2230. I rode up almost all the way, very pleasant to do so again, & then had four hours on the hillside up here. The path up here is pleasantly easy after the Kinghor, but steep between Yume & Gompo Rong. There are prim. all the way up here. The river is barely fordable even here just now.

SUMMARY:
At Laba on the north side of Potrang La, the diarist reports a broken cine camera and scarce flowering, lamenting missed photographic plans between Tsona and Dirang Dzong. The next day they cross Potrang La to Lhaguari amid a blizzard and, at the request of the Jetsun Kusho, move from a planned campsite at the Lingka to quarters at the Gompa, also noting bird observations along the route.

CONTENT:
7th May. Laba on North side of Potrang La. 15,000'. Some rain last night. Bright with clouds most of today, with storms round about, but none here so far.

A minor tragedy happened yesterday, when the cine camera went bust - the mainspring I think. I was sorry enough to have to come back without all the flower photos hoped for, having at last got as many films as I could possibly want. But I had planned to get many interesting photos between Tsona and Dirang Dzong. Now I will take back 60 unused films. There is again very little in flower here. The hillside is covered with Rhododendron vellereum, but they have all been caught in a hail storm. Primula atrodentata, calderiana and pumilio are all in flower.

8th May. Lhaguari. Left at 7:00, got in at 1:00 pm. It was a very still night and I should think there were only 3-4 degrees of frost at night and it was fairly clear this morning. We took about an hour to reach the pass, and as we got to the top a real blizzard started, blowing hard up the south side. This lasted for about an hour and a half when it cleared up, but there were heavy storms all round for the rest of the day. We got in at 1:00 pm and were just about to choose a campsite at the Lingka, when the local clerk came down and said we were asked by the Jetsun Kusho to go to the Gompa. I foolishly agreed, so here we are, stuck in clean, but cold and extremely uncomfortable quarters, with little privacy. One should never leave the comfort and privacy of one's tent. Although they say here that we will get off tomorrow, I have no doubt at all that we will at least not get off till midday. On the North side of the Potrang La there were a great many blackbirds. We have had albocinctus all the way up from Kongbo, but he left us at Lenda, though there were a few at Lhapso. His place is taken by maximus at high altitudes now. He was very common from 15,500' - 16,500'. There were also at least 6 pairs of snow cock, very tame. Crossoptilon were up to 15,500' and mixed up with all of them were

SUMMARY:
After a sleepless night the party set off before dawn and crossed the Le La in mist with fresh snow. They observed numerous Primula species, dense rhododendrons, Abies, and a Corydalis, noting the area would be spectacular later in the season.

CONTENT:
No coolie slept last night, so neither did Ludlow or I. We were up before 4.0 am & everyone was off by 5.0 am. There had been some snow the evening before, and it was lying from about 15000 to the top of the Le La, 17180'. We heard chrysochlora on the way up but saw none. Misty on top as usual no view.

On the very top were signs of a Primula showing green - perhaps Stirtoniana. Very shortly after, we saw P. bellidifolia in flower & P. atrodentata. The ground was simply covered with P. pryingorum, looking perfectly lovely, carpeting the ground with pink. There were a number also of P. macrophylla 1561 in bloom, & lots of signs of a P. sikkimensis. Other primulas there were too, but none in flower. About 15000 the rhododendrons began, & from then on the hillsides were covered with them. I don't think I have ever seen them so thick.

Down here the W face is covered with Abies, but there are a number of pale lemon yellow rhodos too, (1557). Also any number of pink ones which seem all the same though they show different forms. I got one Corydalis too 1560. This area must be wonderful later on when everything comes out. The rhododendrons themselves must be a sight worth

SUMMARY:
Botanical and route notes describe a smaller valley near Tsona with Primulas, and a fine day. On 21st May the party camps 2 miles below Podzo Sumdo at about 10,500 ft, traveling along the Chidichar river and the Tsari through forest and gorge, passing Podzo Sumdo and the valley from the Bimbi La, with observations of Meconopsis, Berberis, and rhododendrons.

CONTENT:

• "not so big as at Tsona, but lovely for all that. The valley I was in is small but should be very good, already holds Primulas atrodentata, roylei, 1621 & 1614, the last two new to us. A perfect day, with hardly a cloud in the sky all day."
• "21st May. Camp 2 m below Podzo Sumdo. BP. Temp. Time Ht. 10500'. A fine day again, clouding in the evening. Path down R bank crossing the Chidichar river over its lateral moraine, steeply down to a bridge over to the L bank of the Tsari. Thence through forest in a steep sided valley. At about m 5 the descent is rapid where the Tsari falls in a gorge. Pass at m 6 Podzo Sumdo, one house, at the entrance from the north of the broad valley from the Bimbi La. Continue down L bank for 2 miles where valley opens out a little. Some grazing. No houses. We are a good deal lower here, & the vegetation is much more advanced. I did not find much though. Another Meconopsis 1637, in few numbers, near Podzo, Berberis all the way - a fine big flowered one, though the flowers are not too numerous, 1626, some rhododendrons, the best of"

Wait, I missed the marginal notes in the final text. I'll include them as they appear

SUMMARY:
Account of a snowy crossing of Lo La to a camp east of the pass, with clear morning weather turning to afternoon rain, steep descent, and heavy snow on the south side. Notes describe scarce but emerging rhododendrons and primulas, highlighted by Primula geraldinae on cliffs, several plant collections, and a sighting of monal by Ludlow.

CONTENT:
Lo La, Pachakshiri.

Prim. R. exasperatum 3634, R. lopsangianum 3635, R. sulphureum 3644, R. forrestii var repens 3642, R. hodgsonii 3643.
P. atrodentata 3636, Vernicosa 3637, Geraldinae 3640, Gentiana hexalata 3638.

place, but after going 3 ft. found another two ft. to go, so gave up. And yet it will be in full flower in 60 days. Other flowers are nearly over by then, though covered so deep now with snow. The approx. bearing to our next camp is 150° M.

24th April. Camp E of Lo La. 6 miles. 10500'. Bright clear morning, clouding over by 2.00 pm, some rain about 3-4 pm. Clearing later. Left at 5.30 am, on hard frozen snow, getting up to Pass very easily over snow we could walk on. Reached Pass, 13500', at 6.45 am. Coolies knew the sun would melt the snow & went up almost as quick. Descent on this side, very steep indeed, snow was now getting soft. There is a remarkable amount of snow this side. March tiring through dense fir & rhodo. forest, with deep snow patches till near camp. Rhododendrons coming out, but still scarce. It is grand to be seeing some flowers at last, after such a long pause. The first star turn was probably No 3640 (P. geraldinae), a small but very pretty primula which grows on sheer cliff faces, and at any rate new to us. Some rhodos. too were found. Ludlow saw some monal, which did not appear to be the usual one. But he could not get a shot at one. On the whole a most interesting day, but very tiring. I also saw Prim. Barnardoana, but it is not yet in flower. Many flowers should be out by the time we come back.

SUMMARY:
Notes plant specimens and habitats around Cha La, with route details toward Zimsathi and mention of the Takar La being snowbound. Records Lumsden treating a local woman and reports local news about the Rimpoche's daughter and proposed marriage ties with the Bhutan Maharani's family.

CONTENT:
Cha La May 14 - Saxifraga monantha sp. nov. 1584, Anemone brahmaputrae 1585, Pegophyton scapiflorum 1587, 1588, Primula advena 1589, Lloydia serotina 1591, Primula glabra 1592, Fritillaria cirrhosa 1595, Anemone trullifolia var. linearis 1594.

Cha La 15th 70
Rhododendron paludosum 1598
Off to the E, at about N 8, but to the Cha La the main valley is followed to Zimsathi. From here the road turns W to the Cha La. Another path follows straight on. This is only used from N to S occasionally. The Takar La is said to be pretty deep in snow still.

Primula atrodentata
We came across the usual Primula atrodentata in masses. Rhododendrons also especially on the W side, all the same, a form of 1555 (Rhododendron vellereum). There is a good deal of fir and juniper. Primula roylei is common here and Primula pygmaeorum also. Further up Primula glabra 1592 is common, and there are signs of a good many other things, saxifrage, allium etc.

Lumsden had a case of a woman yesterday who wanted treatment. She had had 7 children, all of them feet first. The pretty woman at Sangacholing is the Rimpoche's daughter. He told the Bhutan Maharani's mother was to marry her. He came here, but went on to Kham. But she wants to marry into Bhutan. It is a pity it cannot be arranged, to bring in new blood. The locals have the belief that Tobgye's second son is...

SUMMARY:
Tsangpo returned with 41 specimens, including notable rhododendrons from near Mandi and Trulung. The diarist reports continuous rain and late snow while moving through Dau, Lunang, and Latsa, with limited flowering observed except some primulas and rhododendrons in bud. Observations include weather severity and early-season phenology such as P. calderiana, P. whitei, P. atrodentata, and Mec. betonicifolia.

CONTENT:
neither one thing nor the other. Tsangpo came back on 8th, with 41 specimens, showing that down there there is now very much more than here. The big Maddenii Series Rhododendron from Trulung is still not out, but he got two good ones — one yellow from just below Mandi (12348) which is new to us, and may be interesting. The other, in two forms (12354, 12370) of which we got some seed in Feb. It must be a beautiful thing. The former is slightly pink, the latter pure white. They are probably the same, though leaf shape and size of plant are rather different as well.

10th April. A filthy day of rain all day long without a pause, and it looks like going on for a good while.

11th April. Dau. Another even worse day. It has now rained continuously for two days and 3 nights which is a lot for this time of year. Snow lay low to around 1000' this morning, and had been lying a good deal below Dau. After 3.0pm here it was very heavy — half snow half rain. Rhododendrons fairly good. R. virgatum series was really lovely. No 12375 is a fine tree too. We only saw one R. triflorum in flower — a miserable thing. There are a great many P. chungensis just in bud now, all along the road, which should soon be very fine indeed.

12th April. Lunang. There was 1" of snow last night in camp, but it did not snow very much with us. In the narrow valley 2 m below Lunang the going was difficult, as there were 9-10" of fresh snow, and up here when we arrived, about 5". Locals don't seem surprised at the snow, but it surprises me, as I would not have expected that on the main Himalayan Range in mid April. Owing to deep snow we saw no flowers — if there were any to see. In some clearings, I did see P. calderiana in bud showing colour. There were too P. whitei and P. atrodentata occasionally visible where snow had melted. Leaves of Mec. betonicifolia also seen.

13th April. Latsa. We are still too early for flowers here. P. calderiana is still in bud. Mec. betonicifolia very common indeed, but only 2-4" high in leaf. P. atrodentata is the only flower seen. No Rhodos. in flower yet.

SUMMARY:
After an unexpectedly sunny evening, the party explored the comparatively dry area of Go nyi re between here and Tsela Dzong, recording several Primula taxa and a common small Meconopsis also seen at the Tum La, plus a robust yellow Meconopsis that may be a new species. Plans are weighed against the Kucha La trip, with 10 days until due at Tse and an intention to focus on drier areas north of the Tsangpo rather than returning to the Main Range, amid coolie difficulties.

CONTENT:
Gonyi re.

Most unexpected perfect evening, with the sun out full blast, the clouds on the hills gradually clearing away. For a moment I could see up all three of the valleys, leading to the Holung Logu La, the Tsanang La and the Kucha La. The latter looks good. The place we went to is known as "Go nyi re" - "there are two heads," this more or less directly between here and Tsela Dzong. Being South of the main range, it is a comparatively dry area, at any rate not as wet as the main range. Having made up my mind to do the Main Range, I have not touched this area yet, but having these two days spare, thought one of them should be used to explore it, as it does undoubtedly look more of interest. So up we went. The first flower of interest was P. littledalei (baileyana?) 5887, fairly common in a limited habitat, and nearly as high as I would have expected. Then above that was one of the Bellidifolia primulas, which I think must be P. micropala, 5888. Beside this was a small primula which was unfortunately over, of which we only saw three flowers. This looks somewhere near P. atrodentata, but I don't think can be this. I can't place it. This was No. 5890. We are too late, a most interesting primula found next, not in flower though, is P. (nivalis Sect?) No 5889. The capsule looks nivalid, but the plant does not, and I have no idea what it will turn out to be. At the top of the hill, there is a pass, with a little wall built up, and close to this on the South side is the little meconopsis which I found at the Tum La under No. 5790. Here it is common, and was taken under No. 5895. We should certainly get seed of this from Gonyi re. But the best find of today was another yellow meconopsis, taken under No. 5891, a fine big plant 2 feet high, with from 3 to 10 flowers of 3-4½" across. What this is I don't know. I gave Taylor his own Mec. book, as I did not expect to find any myself. We hope for a new species, as I can't think of any like this from S.E. Tibet. If this is so, this will certainly be a red letter day. We got quite a lot of other things too, and I felt like cancelling the Kucha La trip. But that may as well be done now. There are but 10 days left till I am due at Tse, and after that we will visit the dryer areas. Except for seed, I am not going off to the Main Range again. In fact it would be poor policy. The best to be had is on the North of the Tsangpo I believe, and we should go there as soon as possible. What a joy it was to see and feel the sun again, and to feel dry. We were all soaked by midday, but in a very short time were dry. I feel very weak this evening, and have a headache. As there are coolie difficulties.

SUMMARY:
Notes abundant Primula species on hillsides and highlights several Pedicularis specimens from a nala above camp. Observes eremophila with young and shoots two snowcock, then walks to the Le La and into another valley, noting Gentiana amoena forma pallida on shale scree near the pass, not yet in flower.

CONTENT:
144

P. consocia 2284. Mec. horridula (white bella) 2286. Sax. sessiliflora 2288.
P. hyacinthina 2294

Primulas indeed all over the hillsides, but no others bar P. tsariensis, pygmaeorum, roylei & macrophylla, with a few late flowering atrodentata & masses of sikkimensis.

The nicest flower we saw was a Pedicularis 2293 (Pedic. bella v. holophylla 2293), from the nala just 1 m above camp. Another Pedicularis 2290 (Pedic. megalocheila 2290) is also very pretty (Pedic. zephanantha 2295). Saw masses of eremophila with their young about 400' above camp. They appear to have either 2 or 3 chicks. Shot two snowcock pretty high up. There were many young birds with them, able to fly.

5th July. Halt. Le La. Fine most of the morning & part of the afternoon. Went up to the Le La direct, then turned left into another valley, so circled home. On the pass there is now no snow either side. Gentiana amoena forma pallida is fairly common just near the top in pure shale scree. I also saw it further to the left on a ridge further south. It is not yet out, but I could see the flowers that they were