Showing 6 results

SUMMARY:
Describes a riverside march with bridges and a near-vertical ladder en route to Trum, comparing the terrain to Baltistan and noting local trees and flowering plants. Records a subsequent march to Natrampa with fine conditions, noted as interesting for Ludlow and the writer.

CONTENT:
narrow cantilever bridge to the left bank. The bridge is a little higher up than it was in Bailey's time, and avoids the 400' ascent and descent he mentions. Cross the bridge at mile 4 and down left bank for 1/2 mile where a gorge comes in. Here there is a 30 ft ladder, almost vertical, perched on a column of stones, well built and strong. The path winds up a little above this, and gradually down to the river side. Cross to right bank by a bridge, often washed away, at mile 6. Proceed close to the river through shrubbery and cultivation to Trum, a small village at mile 7. An interesting march, which reminds one very much of Baltistan with the path on jaharies and with ladders. Gorges of the river are pretty narrow, and the side valleys come through absolute slits, only a few feet wide. Above us the hillside is covered with pine 1344 (Pinus tabulaeformis) and fir 1345 (Picea spinulosa), with a good deal of juniper. Nothing much yet in the way of flowers, but a rhododendron 1342 (Rhododendron vellereum) and some interesting ferns, especially 1340 (Pteris dactylina). Gooseberries are here in plenty, just over the flowering stage. Trees are mostly peach, willow and poplar, with buckthorn and other scrub.

26th April. To Natrampa. 7 miles. BP 19.47 Temp. 52 Time 4.30 Approx height 10247'.
Fine. A most interesting day for both Ludlow and myself.

SUMMARY:
The diary records marches from Lhapso Dzong to Lenda and then to Rabdang, with notes on weather, route conditions, and abundant vegetation including birch, pines, willows, walnuts, and bamboo, as well as sightings of Crossoptilon and snow cock. Transport was problematic, with shortages of coolies and poor paths, and Pintso had to remain behind.

CONTENT:
G. nubigena, G. waltoni (lower down) and G. depressa. A few seeds of the first two were taken. Within a thousand feet of the pass, which is 16470', a bigger rhododendron vellereum bush begins (3587). Later on it becomes very common indeed and almost covers the hillside on the North and West slopes. Other signs of increased rainfall are the Crossoptilon, which are common in the shrubs. We also saw several other ones, snow cock at about 16000'. Lower down again there is quite an extensive birch forest of small trees up to 25 feet or so (local name kewah or tyewah).

30th March. To LHAPSO DZONG. 11500' 7 miles. Fine day, some clouds. Path easy down the valley, mostly on the Left bank, through shrubs. Lhapso Dzong is an old dzong in poor repair, standing on the Right bank where the valley turns to the North. A few Crossoptilon seen. Although so low there is still a lot of vegetation on the hills.

31st March. To LENDA. 11000' 13 1/2 miles. Clouded over most of the day; some snow on the hilltops and a few spots of rain in the valley. Transport mostly coolies; left at 6.45 - in at 2 to 2.30 pm. The path is good with the exception of a mile or two between miles 10 and 12, where the path climbs pretty steeply up the Right bank and at one place is so narrow that ponies have to be offloaded. Peach blossom is fully out here and also at Dzam, in 4 1/2 where the main Tsangpo is met. Willows also are green. There are two here, one a weeping willow (3593) and the other the ordinary kind 3594. We were surprised to see pines on the way today. The first was very near Lhapso, but that was isolated, and the hills above were covered with juniper. But the hills above here have thick pine forest on them. Walnuts also are common in the cultivated areas. We expected a very hot march, but it is actually quite cold, due to the clouds. A little way below Dzam, there are small clumps of bamboo in each village. It seems an odd place and climate to find bamboo, but perhaps they are introduced.

1st April. To RABDANG alt 10800' 11 miles. Clouded all day, with strong up valley wind in the afternoon. There is a most rotten arrangement for transport at Lenda. The order went to Gyatsa Dzong, across the river and a mile down stream. The Dzong ordered transport and then there were 15 too few coolies turned up. Poor Pintso again had to remain behind. We left at 7.15 and were in at 2.45 pm. The path is bad, up and down the Right bank the whole way and in many places unfit for pony transport. The coolies are awful.

SUMMARY:
The diarist crosses the knife-edge Le La pass, descends out of the snow, and searches for flowers. Near Regonpu they find magnificent rhododendrons and note a silver fir–rhododendron forest on the north-facing slope, several flat-roofed houses, and unirrigated cultivation, with multiple specimens recorded.

CONTENT:
L. p. 81-83 The pass itself (Le La) is a knife edge Le La May 8th
pass over very real precipice, we scrambled down Rhododendron vellereum 1555, 1559
the eastern side until we were out of the snow. lanatum var luciferum 1557
Then proceeded to look for flowers. 1558
Near Regonpu we struck rhododendrons in flower, they Primula bellidifolia 1556
were magnificent. Regonpu has a lot of silver fir macrophylla 1561
rhododendron forest on its north facing slope. It atrodentata 1562
certainly has a considerable rainfall. with pygmaeorum
There are 3 or 4 houses but these have flat roofs.
The cultivation is unirrigated. Le La May 9
spiraea. Rhododendron dignabile 1564 1566
anthopogon 1565
aganniphum 1567

SUMMARY:
Page lists Kodachrome photograph subjects and specimen numbers from late April, including Poplanthus near Shoka, Rhododendron anthopogon at Miling, apple/pear “Nyete,” Clematis, and scenes near Gacha and in pine forest. Mentions a Ptopa woman and Betty with a Lopa individual at Nagu Bridge.

CONTENT:
Kodachrome 23.
Poplanthus shrubs near Shoka 22/4.
Rhod. vellereum No. 12393. 22/4.
Ptopa woman with boots in hand & snuffbox of umbrella handle. 22/4
Types at Tungdo. 23/4.

24.
Betty with Lopa halfcaste. Nagu Bridge 23/4
Rhododendron anthopogon No. 12397 Miling 23/4.
Apple blossom. Yusum 12399 24/4.
Clematis No. 12404 25/4
Apple or pear "Nyete". 12402 25/4

25.
Apple or Pear. Lilung. (nyete) 25/4 No 12402 into pink box -
Village & poplar W of Gacha. 27/4
Young poplars upper leaves. 27/4
Scene in pine forest 27/4.

1/4 pl. 25/4
1 & 2 Poplanthus.
3 Nyete No 12402
4 Village near Gacha

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:
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