Part 145 - Karmi customs house at Yombu Chu–Mena Chu junction; views from Cho La and march to Shingbe

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SUMMARY:
Notes the junction of the Yombu Chu and Mena Chu, with a ruined customs house called Karmi under a cliff and good camping nearby. Describes clear views and snow peaks around the Cho La, map doubts, and Meconopsis observed, then records the stage to Shingbe with elevation and temperature.

CONTENT:
71

At mile 8, where the Yombu Chu comes in from the west, it joins the Mena Chu. About 300' above the junction is a ruined tower and wall under an overhanging cliff on the left bank of the Yombu Chu. This was an old customs house, and is known as Karmi. Camp can be pitched ½ mile up the Yombu Chu on the left bank. Water, fuel and grazing all good.

A lovely day, or rather a tantalising one. It was clear on the Cho La and we had glimpses of a series of snow peaks all round from the South to the West, but never saw the top of the finest, which lies west of the Cho La. The Mena Chu valley is magnificent, thickly wooded on the East side and grassy to the west. Looking back to the Cho La was a grand sight, with the saw-edge ridge with the pass against the sky. I took many bearings from the Cho La, which often merely confused us more and more. The map must be miles out, and I think someone's longitude must be wrong somewhere. On the pass were the Meconopsis horridula, and a few other interesting flowers collected before, but little new of interest. At Karmi were Meconopsis grandis in seed.

22nd August. SHINGBE. 12 miles. Ht. 12756' (BP. 189.3°).
Temp 48°. Path leads up left bank of Yombu.