Mostrando 6828 resultados

SUMMARY:
The writer reports heavy rain and a reconnaissance up the valley toward Waitang, finding the route likely passable despite earlier warnings that yaks could not traverse it. They plan to leave via Pangstang and criticize Ngudup for not negotiating effectively with locals. Botanical collections include Primula pusilla, P. bellidifolia, P. reticulata, Mec. paniculata, and observations comparing P. alpicola var. luna and P. reticulata.

CONTENT:
thorn scrub, it was very difficult indeed to move, or to get a clear shot at the bird. I hope something may come out. We have decided to leave here on 12th, and to go via Pangstang. I am sure if Ngudup had guts now, he could fix up the other route.

11th June Halt. I decided to go as far as I could up the valley where we had been told we could not go - yaks would be unable to take us to Waitang this way. It has always seemed odd to me that we could not go, when one man came back and said it was alright. But Ngudup is a poor fish with these people, and never asks enough questions, and never tries to persuade them. Anyway we went as far as I was able to walk - probably 3 miles from Garmotangha, there was no difficulty at all the whole way. Where we stopped we might have had to carry loads about 50 yds. We had quite a good day - got P. pusilla, P. bellidifolia and P. reticulata, the latter uncommon, but plentiful and beautiful where found. We also got Mec. paniculata in flower. The local form of P. alpicola var. luna is very like P. reticulata. In fact I was leaving reticulata today after having started to take it, when I noticed the absence of the very large bracts, which should have been obvious. Then later I saw that reticulata has no farina ring in the eye like alpicola. P. pusilla and P. bellidifolia are only just in flower. A very wet day indeed - the wettest by far that we've had so far, a sign of the monsoon at last surely. I got soaked through bottom half, but don't mind that, and remember now that I always used to. Without waterproof trousers, one must get soaked, and they are difficult to walk in. Started to rain about 8.0 and has not stopped by 5.0 pm.

SUMMARY:
Relentless monsoon rain at Haeth leads to a day of packing flowers and preparing to return to Pangotang, with a brief outing to collect mulch and attempt monal photography/hunting in poor conditions. The party then marches back to Pangotang in continuous rain, finds dwarf rhododendrons in bloom, and notes frustration that Pasang hesitates to press specimens.

CONTENT:
12th June - Haeth. This is undoubtedly monsoon. It still has not stopped raining, the rain has been very hard indeed. At any rate it must bring out the flowers, that is the best way of looking at it. I'm not going out today, but packing up all my flowers there are, & getting ready to leave tomorrow, back to Pangotang by the same way as we came. I fear we will have about the same view as when we came too - in the mist the whole way. I wonder how Betty will manage this weather, though Lloyd said she has a big comfortable tent.

Later. Still no let up even by tonight, it looks like going on for a month. I did go out eventually, & picked up some mixed mulch. Then after that I took out Tundra - P. & took my gun camera with telephoto lens in. We were after monal, & I should have got 2 quite nice pictures of cock monal provided the light was good enough, & my focus correct; both were difficult to judge & the rain very hard. I have never been near monal so long before. I had a shot but missed unfortunately, as P particularly wanted some meat. I think I eat less than anyone in that line here, though I have had a couple of tins of bully beef.

13th June. Pangotang. Back again to our old camp, but on a soaking wet day; rain without pause again all the day. And although the dwarf rhodos were out now, still the march never seemed interesting, & we got nothing. I sometimes wonder how what I have missed, just because Pasang has no idea of what he sees, & is afraid of putting something in the press which may not be wanted. I've told him many times not to think of that, but put in the press anyway. The worst that can...

SUMMARY:
The diarist notes finding dormant roots of a Soldanelloid primula and discusses potential primula sightings mentioned by Pasang and Gyundon. After days of heavy rain that swelled the river and left rhododendrons mostly over, they describe trader activity, including Bhutanese and Tibetan caravans and a report about Tasho Pumbo Wangdi’s smallest son. On 14 June, during a local halt, they collected Primula umbratilis in full flower on a nearby cliff.

CONTENT:
happen, is that it will be known one. Today we found the completely dry, dormant roots of a Soldanelloid primula. The soil it was in was in some way yet completely dry, in spite of the rain. It seems a small one, with scape only 2", might be interesting. While I was looking at that Pasang casually said perhaps the primula he & Gyundon had seen 14 days ago, further up the hill would now be in flower. It was then he said in small bud & appeared red. This is the first I had heard of this. It sounds interesting, though perhaps he has made a mistake, and it is not a primula. He has so far been good at guessing primulas, which have certainly varied enough, from a minute little thing like P. sapphirina, to P. alpicola.

A very very wet day, but no damage done to boxes, flowers or myself. There is a good deal of difference here in the flowers. Rhodos are pretty well over, except lepidotum. Primulas are coming on, the river is fully twice the size it was. I wish we had had a good day in one direction of today's march - going or coming - because the Himalayas should have been in view for a good deal of the way. Traders have started using the route too. This place is later on a small market for Bhutanese & Tibetan traders. The latter bring down salt & wool mostly. There is to be another huge caravan through shortly, I hear. Tasho Pumbo Wangdi's smallest son is a reincarnation from some Tibetan monastery, & we hear that the mother with a big caravan are going to Lhasa very shortly.

14th June Halt. This was a somewhat sunny day, & a thoroughly good one too. It was fine at last, after 3 days & nights of ceaseless rain. So I went out locally, to the cliff opposite, & got P. umbratilis in full flower, & a number of other things too. Pasang went up a

SUMMARY:
The writer reports finding P. caveana and, with Tundup’s collections, totals 27 gatherings, then receives mail including two lots from Kalimpong and letters from Betty, who has found P. jigmediana again. They comment on Hicks’ limited results with the camera, news that Bhutan’s treaty matters seem settled, car delivery news from Chris, and concern over the Paro Penlop’s worsening condition as H.H. cannot visit. On 15th June they halt in camp, send mail to Betty, Kalimpong, and H.H., note heavy showers, and remark on large butter consumption.

CONTENT:
Primula farinosa 19149
Primula sapphirina 19147
Meconopsis horridula 19136
Cremanthodium decaisnei 19148
Cypripedium himalaicum 19131
Cypripedium elegans 19134
Orchis chusua 19129
19144

valley to the east and found P. caveana in full flower, and with a few things collected by Tundup, we are 27 gatherings in all. I was busy writing these up when the mail arrived, and a good mail too, with two lots from Kalimpong, and two letters of 23rd - 28th from Betty. She has done pretty well I think, and has found P. jigmediana for the second time only. They also have P. caveana I suppose most of what I have otherwise. She seemed more cheerful too, but Hicks is not a great success I fear. He wrote to me in a cheerful enough way, and realized he was not as good as he might be. I fear he hasn't done much with the camera, whether the camera's or his fault I don't know. There was no special news in the mail I think except that Bhutan now seems to have all points of their Treaty settled at last, not badly either, if India keeps the bargain. Chris tells me the car I ordered at home on "18 months delivery" in Nov. last, will be delivered in June - now. That is rather unfair to him I feel, but it's very nice to know I won't have to take our car home. Paro Penlop is apparently worse, and H.H. very sorry he cannot manage to go and see him which he feels he certainly ought to do. I suppose it is cancer without doubt now. As there was such a lot to do, I decided to send off a mail tomorrow and not go out after flowers.

15th June Halt. Stayed in camp and sent off a mail to Betty and to Kalimpong and to H.H. Fine with some heavy showers. Nothing to report. I find we have disposed of over a maund of butter in 3 weeks, and cannot think how that could possibly

SUMMARY:
The diarist worked high above the Sokpon's huts near Haeth on 16 June, collecting several Primula species and observing many Grandala. On 17 June at Waitang, after a mishap with a shying pony that broke the diarist's glasses, Lundrup found a white variety of Primula caveana near the junction of two rivers.

CONTENT:
happen honestly. Whether it is Ngudup or Lhakpa who is doing it, I don't know. Either is capable, but Ngudup would think it quite usual.

16th June. Haeth. Half wet half fine, mostly misty up the hills. We went up the valley above the Sokpon's huts, and on the whole had a good day. Got Primula capitata (one only), P. tenuifolia, P. walshii (very few) and saw the finest lot of P. caveana I have ever seen. It is common as dirt here. Lots of P. bellidifolia beside the caveana in places. There were many Grandala flying about, but I saw no nests. All this was of course high up, and I'm very tired tonight, although I rode to 14,000' most of the way. The walking beyond was steep and there was a longish walk back. A good day. Obviously we are into things now all of a sudden really.

17th June Waitang. Height 13,400'. Fine at times, mostly misty, raining and cold. The day was notable for two things - the miserable pony I had, who shied at everything and a new white variety of P. caveana. After several shies, the pony in some way loosened the girth and the saddle slipped round, and me with it. Luckily we were on no dangerous part above the river, and I only fell among smooth boulders which did no damage to me at all, but smashed my reading glasses. Luckily I have another pair. We are camped almost at the junction of the two rivers, but it is not very convenient because to cross the main river we must go down 2 miles or up 3, and the best side is the other side. I wandered about a little, but saw nothing of interest. The lads went out separately, and came back very depressed, but Lundrup had found a white variety of P. caveana, or that is what I take it to be. It cannot be anything else, but I have never heard of such

SUMMARY:
Page records photographic notes using Dufaycolor and Kodachrome films for subjects including Primula caveana, P. umbratilis, Cassiope, Rhododendron setosum, and Meconopsis simplicifolia. Locations mentioned include Menla-harchu La and areas above it, including a lake. Entries are dated through mid to late June.

CONTENT:
73

B.W. 7. Dufaycolor 13
1 P. macrophylla 10/6 1 P. Caveana no filter 16/6
2 P. involucrata 19090 10/6 2 P. Caveana habitat 16/6
3 P. reticulata 19108 13/6 3 P. Caveana closer 19144 16/6
4 Cypripedium tibeticum 19123 14/6 4 P. tenuiloba 19167 16/6
5 Prim. umbratilis 19128 14/6. 5 P. umbratilis 19183 18/6
6 Nomocharis nana 14/6 6 Cassiope 19095 18/6
7 P. Caveana. moved? 19144 16/6
8 P. Caveana habitat v.g. 16/6 Dufaycolor 14
9 P. Caveana closer 16/6 1 Cassiope & Rhod. setosum & Nomocharis 19/6
10 P. tenuiloba 19167 16/6 2 R. setosum. R. anthopogon & R. aeruginosum 19/6
11 P. umbratilis 19183 18/6 3 Mec. simplicifolia or P. strumosa 19204 20/6
12 Cassiope 19095 18/6 4 Mec. simplicifolia or P. strumosa 19204 20/6
5 Mec. simp. Lake at Menla-harchu La 20/6
Kodachrome CS. 14. 6 Mec. simp. Lake at Menla-harchu La 20/6
Prim. Caveana. behind. bad. 16/6. 7 Prim. bellidifolia 21/6
Rest would not turn. 8 Small purple pea 1"-2" 18992 21/6

Kodachrome 15.
P. umbratilis 1/2 speed 19183 18/6.
Cassiope 19095 18/6
P. Caveana 19144 18/6
P. macrophylla v macrocarpa -
Mec. simplicifolia above Menla-harchu 20/6.
Mec. simplicifolia or P. strumosa 19204 20/6

SUMMARY:
From Ha-li on 18 June, the party explored the Dirupnang valley toward a pass to Geormotangka, finding notable Primula and Cassiope on wet cliff ledges in mist and rain. On 19 June they remained in camp at Ha-li, planning for the Rhularkarchung Pass, and were awakened at night by a rockfall that came toward the camp, with Lhakpa alerting the party.

CONTENT:
a thing before. Unfortunately he got little seed, but says there is more, not in flower yet. I must be careful to get roots of it later on. The other side I feel sure is very much better, but it is a pity there is no bridge here. We thought of making one, but it would be too much of a business over the main river.

18th June. Ha-li. Mostly misty & rain, with some fine intervals. We went up the valley called Dirupnang which leads over a pass to Geormotangka. On the first cliff there were masses of P. umbratilis (19183), much finer than the first lot I got. Then we had a very bare day until we had gone as far as I could manage. I decided to try to come down a difficult waterfall, & was repaid by finding then the fine P. macrophylla v. macrocarpa (19189). It tucks itself under cliff ledges, on sheer rock cliffs, but where it gets the constant splash of water. I always feel that that is one of the varieties that should be a species. It has more difference from its species than many species have. A good deal of Cassiope also, of bellidifolia (19190) too. A very wet evening, & it is cold too up here when so wet.

19th June Ha-li. Had a day in camp, & it was a fine day with some sun. I have been waiting for a fine day to go to the Rhularkarchung Pass, but I think they are unlikely to come now, so we must go tomorrow. At about 3.0 am last night we were all awakened by the noise of huge rocks coming down the hill behind camp, & coming as it sounded — as I see it actually was this morning — straight for camp. They made a rather fearful noise crashing among boulders at first, & then a worse noise of tearing rhododendron bushes to bits as they crashed through them. I almost got up, then didn't, then when Lhakpa shouted I did get up & ran off to one side. But the nearest boulder,

SUMMARY:
A halt day with damp conditions; the diarist photographed and tended drying flowers, and noted Tibetans trading salt, wool, and cloth at Pangstang with rice sent to Towa Dzong. On 20th June they crossed the river to inspect west-side cliffs, where few plants were in flower; Pasang collected P. muscoides, and P. strumosa was confirmed with notes on its hybridization with P. calderiana.

CONTENT:
about 5 feet across, stopped 50 yards above camp. So back we went to bed. The boys were out across the river down below, but had a poor day, got nothing. I did some photographs in the morning, changed flowers and that is about all today. Flowers take much longer now to dry. The atmosphere is always damp, and our fire is not so good in the tent as in the huts we've been used to. I'm told now that many Tibetans will be coming down in the next few days, with salt, wool and woollen cloth. They exchange at Pangstang for madder mostly, and some rice. But more of the rice is H.H.'s and Her H.'s and other officials, all is sent to Tibet for sale in Towa Dzong and other places.

20th June Halt. It was misty and doubtful when we got up at 5:30 this morning, but there was a clear patch of blue sky to the south, which I was sure would mean a good day. But we didn't go straight for the pass. I wanted to investigate the cliffs on the West side as soon as we could cross the river which we did about 9:00 a.m. But there was very little indeed in flower. Mec. horridula had not opened its buds at all. P. bellidifolia was common, and Pasang got P. muscoides (19303) to add to the list. I had seen a yellow mass through binoculars and went to find out what that was. It turned out to be P. strumosa (19304), and I now know that all the colour varieties we found before were hybrids of Calderiana and strumosa as I supposed. What is interesting is that P. strumosa has the exact same unpleasant smell as Calderiana has, which would seem to put it nearer P. Calderiana than ever. There is no doubt they are the parents of all the mixed colours around here... It was a fine day after the first

SUMMARY:
Describes a clear day with a sudden late storm during an excursion to a lake below a pass, noting Meconopsis simplicifolia and the first yellow Cyananthus, with riding up and walking back. On 21 June a halt day was used to dry plants and do chores; the area is considered late and not very prolific compared with Central Bhutan in 1937, and there is an intention to try for the head of the Trongsa Chu from Haibung.

CONTENT:
two hours, we had bright sun all the day until just before setting in at 4.0 pm, when a very sudden storm came up over us pretty well. The snow range was absolutely clear & very fine too. I would like to have gone on, but knew I'd be too tired in coming back, so we only went to the lake, which I would think to be 2 1/2 miles short of the pass. Meconopsis simplicifolia up there is a much finer plant than lower down, worth getting seed of. We found the first of the Cyananthus today - a yellow one. Otherwise there really was remarkably little to be seen, but the day was thoroughly enjoyable. I rode most of the way up, except up the steep bit back to the cliffs, & walked all the way home.

21st June Halt. Another fine day, not as good as yesterday, but still a dry day. I was glad, as we have our presses all full, & needed these two days to get some plants dry & out of the presses. So we all stayed in today, & did odd jobs, & washing & so on. Tomorrow we must make an effort again, as these last two days have produced very little really. This place is late - in fact all this area seems late. I don't think it is very prolific either. Perhaps one always thinks that, but it certainly is not so good as the area visited in Central Bhutan in 1937. I want to try to get to the head of the Trongsa Chu sometime - from Haibung,

SUMMARY:
In wet conditions the party split up: the diarist had a poor day on a dry hill while Pasang returned with a strong collection including a new Androsace, a suspected new Cochlearia, and P. macrophylla var. macrocarpa, alongside notes on Diapensia himalaica and several Primula including white P. caveana. The following day they worked up the valley east of camp in soaking weather; Gunden went far and gathered white P. caveana, but little else was found, prompting thoughts of leaving the area within a few days.

CONTENT:
22nd June Haer. A wet miserable day. We split forces, I sent Pasang and Gunden up Dimpuang valley with instructions to leave it when well in, and to try high up on the south side. They are not in yet, but I had a very poor day in the place I chose. I went up the hill dividing the valley to the north of us. It was dry and almost bare of anything. At 15,500 we found masses of Diapensia himalaica, and beside it P. tenuiloba and P. concinna. There is also some P. caveana, which always tricks me. But that was really all—a disappointing chukker we had. I found two plants of white P. caveana; would like to be able to get plenty of seed of that, or roots, if seed not available. Pasang came back at 3:30 and had a good collection: a new Androsace, the Cochlearia(?) which I wanted and which is, I believe, new, first for us in '37; some more P. macrophylla var. macrocarpa in first-class condition, a cushion Androsace, and various odds and ends. So the day was not so bad after all. I have seen a good-looking place for tomorrow, up the valley to the east from the junction. But one can never tell.

23rd June - Hall. Up the valley to the east above camp. A soaking wet, windy, cold, beastly day. This was the place I thought looked so good, but it had nothing in it. Gunden went miles, but for nothing but a good collection of white P. caveana, and we got nothing worthwhile either, while I felt the climb up after leaving the pony a good deal. It was very steep indeed, and in waterproof and waterproof trousers was hard going. I really don't think now that we will be able to stay on here till the end of the month. Another three days will finish all that we can do, and there will be no other side valleys to try. This has been our wettest day yet, I think.