Part 151 - Jarep, May 18th: Descent down the valley past Totsen with views of Takpa Shiri

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SUMMARY:
From Jarep on a clear day after a hard frost, the party descended a broad valley, passing Totsen, with wet but easy paths and extensive views of sharp, snow-covered peaks to the south; locals use the name Takpa Shiri for peaks within the Kingkor. Few flowers were seen, though Primula roylei was abundant; plants noted include Rhododendron lanatum v. luciferum and Clematis cirrhosa, with comparison to Primula sikkimensis near Mago.

CONTENT:
Jarep, May 18th.
Rhododendron lanatum v. luciferum 1610.
P. puderosum 1612 of nov.
Clematis cirrhosa 1611.

As perfect a day as I can remember. It froze pretty hard at night, we awoke to a blue sky with not a cloud to be seen. We had to wait some time for the sun to thaw the frost off our tents, then came on down the valley. Most of the way the valley is broad and open, with the path keeping to the left-hand side. Totsen is passed at about m 3, consists of 2 or 3 houses and a paddock where mules and horses are bred. The hills to the south were always visible, and the whole range was seen as we came down, by looking up side-valleys coming in from the south. They form a fine range of snow-covered peaks, nearly all very sharp-pointed. The locals do not appear to call any one peak Takpa Shiri, but refer to those enclosed by the Kingkor as that. Path is rather wet and stony but otherwise easy, and descent very gradual. The view down the valley too is almost equally fine, snow-covered peaks are to be seen as far as one can see. Of flowers there were very few. But Primula roylei as a sight made up for a lot. I have never seen more of any primula except of P. sikkimensis, when going down towards Mago. In places