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SUMMARY:
The diarist ascends from Gonghe Gompa to the Lao La, crosses the pass, and collects a new Primula (P. geraniifolia, No. 3173) and notes Androsace geraniifolia (3175) in abies mixed forest. On 3rd June they halt at Lao La amid rain and mist, visit a cliff-top monastery, proceed to Jigche La, descend to Longtegang, join the main east–west road to the Pele La, and continue along a rough contouring path.

CONTENT:
Gompa. Thence path keeps up the hillside to the North, climbs up a ridge of the hill Gonghe Gompa is on, just to the north of the Gompa.

There are about 30 houses here. From here keep up the ridge at a bearing of 8° M, bearing a little to the Lao La, which is reached at m 7. The path from the Gompa to the La is good, and the hillside open. We saw little till up here, and even here there does not appear to be much. But we went over the La and down the other side, where I found one new Primula - P. geraniifolia, No. 3173.

We also saw a little of Androsace geraniifolia 3175. The primula I have not collected before, and I see Cooper only collected it in seed. It is a pretty little thing. We only saw it in one isolated spot in abies mixed forest, among fallen tree trunks.

3rd June. Halt. Lao La. Rained on and off all day, with mist low on the hills. We went East, to a big cliff on top of which is a small monastery. Though it looked excellent for flowers, we saw none. Then on to the Jigche La, on the same ridge as this. The path leads down the East side, through pretty thick forest to Longtegang. Here we met the main E.-W. road, and followed it up to the Pele La. Over this, and down 1/2 mile a very rough path, which was lost many times, leads more or less along the contours, and finally comes out.

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.

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:
The diarist records a halt at Gnüdülakh and an early start to reach Nabzi La over steep snow. From the pass they describe extensive views of the main Himalayan range, including Chomolhari, Kula Kangri, and peaks near Me La and Black Mountain (Dungshinggang), noting clouds prevented continuing to the next pass or seeing the lakes.

CONTENT:
36
Gnüdülakh.
21st May Halt. Fine at night and a good clear morning. We were
much later than I had meant, and did not get off till 5.45. Going
hard we reached the Nabzi La at 8. There was a good deal of
View from Nabzi La
snow to cross, and a very steep snow slope up the last 300-400
ft, which was hard. From the pass we had a magnificent
view. Had we been an hour earlier, it really would have
been as fine a view as any I have ever seen. All round to
the north were snow mountains - the main Himalayan range.
Owing to clouds, the furthest west we could see was Chomolhari;
other big peaks showed due north, and then came Kula Kangri and
another mass away to the east of them, which might have
been Sangtopelri, near the Me La. But there again clouds
were just coming up and there was no time to study them.
To the south were the peaks of the Black Mountain,
(Dungshinggang). Only one of the Pünsum (three brothers)
could be seen, the others being behind it, but there were
several subsidiary peaks visible close to. We did not go on
to the next pass, only a mile or so, as clouds were broken
over the tops, so did not see the lakes, but I enjoyed
every minute of the day's outing. At the top,