Part 101 - Journey from Zotang in the Loro Chu valley to Chayul Dzong

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SUMMARY:
Diary notes describe travel down the Loro Chu valley from Zotang toward Chayul Dzong, with locals urging the party beyond Sanga Shika to complete about 17 miles in a day. The route, taken in strong up-valley wind, included riverbank changes and a crossing near mile 15, with observations of pollarded trees, buckthorn near camp, peaches in cultivation, birds, a solar halo, and barley 3–4 inches high near Chayul Dzong.

CONTENT:
Loro Chu valley. Zotang
Salix babylonica 1317, Prunus persica 1318, Populus ciliata 1319 — all 3 pollarded
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that whereas we should normally have changed transport three times, we did not do so at all, but came on 2 miles beyond the usual stage. This is a pretty place with a fine view of the main range downstream. There is quite a forest of buckthorn by our camp, & some good birds in it (3 Laughing Thrushes). Yesterday I saw rather a curious halo round the sun, shown opposite.

21st April To Chayul Dzong. BP. Temp. Time Approx.
(See entry 23rd April)

ht. = 17 miles. We meant to go only to Sanga Shika which is about 11 miles, but the locals pushed us on here. A perfect day again, but with a very strong wind in the afternoon, straight up the valley as usual. Road is quite good, down the valley, which is pretty wide with sheep tracks. Cross to R bank & change transport at about m 4.5. Continue down R bank to Sanga Shika at m 11, which is high up on R. bank. Thence through more cultivation (Peaches), & among many peach trees gradually down to the River which is crossed at m 15 & path follows L bank to Chayul Dzong, where there is considerable cultivation (the barley in the fields was 3-4 inches high), but hills quite dry still, although