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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.

SUMMARY:
Route notes describe the march from camp to Lola Pass and a very steep descent, followed by a difficult traverse to a camp on the Chudi Chu with multiple stream crossings. Botanical collections 3634–3643 are listed, including several rhododendrons and primulas with habitat and diagnostic notes.

CONTENT:
20a

Camp to Lola Pass. 2 miles. Continue up R bank for a mile, with a considerable climb over a fir clad ridge, then over boggy open ground. Path then crosses the stream & climbs about 300 ft steeply, gradually easing off & turning more South. The last 300' is fairly steep but the whole route to the Pass is easy.

Descent to camp at m 4. Descent very steep indeed, fairly open for 1/2 mile, then through dense fir & rhodo forest. At m 3 the main stream is crossed to the R bank, & the valley turns South. Follow this down, crossing to L bank at 3 1/2. A poor camp available at m 4.

3634. R. exasperatum. A fine Barbatum Ser. Rhod. Common among R. Thomsonii & Abies. Beautiful rich crimson corolla.

3635. Rhod. lopangense Thomsonii Series. Very common. Seems to have more indumentum on under leaf than R. Thomsonii.

3636. Primula aff. atrodentata. (P. crispa?) This does not appear to be P. atrodentata. It is smaller, a smaller less pronounced eye, colour rather different. Only seen in one place.

3637. Primula vernicosa. Only differs in habitat. First time seen in dense jungle. Smaller flower than usual.

3638. Diapensia yellow. The first time we have seen this yellow one. Common.

3639. Asteropyrum peltatum. Ranunculus sp.

3640. Primula geraldinae sp. nov. Common where found. The mark of this is the farinaceous eye. Only growing on quite inaccessible cliff faces in wet moss. A pretty primula & new to us.

3641. Rhod. sulphureum sp. (small yellow shrub). Fairly common, on cliff faces.

3642. Rhod. forrestii var repens sp. aff repens. Does not appear to be repens, or even serpens. Found to the left (North) of Primula geraldinae 3640.

3643. Rhod. hodgsonii grande.

Camp to Camp on Chudi Chu. 6m. Keep down the L bank through dense rhodo & fir forest. Path very bad indeed, along logs & up & down notched logs, for 2 miles to bridge (1 plank) over main stream to R. bank. Thence path very bad still through dense forest, very steep in places to a very small clearing - room for three tents to camp, where there is a bridge to the L bank again. Path very difficult the whole way. Rough bearing of march 340° M.