Part 25 - Khoma Chu to Panghar and towards Rep La; plans to meet Betty in Bumthang

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SUMMARY:
The diarist, now traveling without Betty, notes Hicks’ variable temperament and plans to meet Betty in Bumthang, or wait at Singhi Dz if the Monlarkarchung route is impassable. The day’s route runs up the Khoma Chu to Khoma, then the Jumu Chu and steeply to Panghar toward the Rep La, passing Gangla, Khoma, and Tak Gompa; it is very cold and wet, and there are observations of Magnolia, Rhod. kingii, and an epiphytic Maddenii nearly in flower. The entry ends with a note from Galt.

CONTENT:
time came. It is much worse for her than for me to go off alone now, and I hope she won't feel it too much. Hicks has his moods, and can be quite nice, but can also be very trying. It is a long time for Betty to have to wait, and I just wish that the flowering season was in full swing, when there would be ample to do. We should meet in Bumthang on 15 Aug unless I cannot get through from here to the Monlarkarchung route, in which case I'll stay in Singhi Dz till she comes there.

The road today was easy up the Khoma Chu to Khoma at m 3. Then up a side valley from the North, called the JUMU CHU for about a mile. Then very steeply up the ridge on the L bank to Panghar at m 6. We came on 2 miles beyond this, still steeply, towards the Rep La. High up on the R. bank of the Jumu Chu are Gangla and Khoma, where HH's mother lived, and beyond them Tak Gompa. It is very sad without Betty now, and I will miss her a great deal in the next four months. It is extremely cold up here — colder than I've had it yet, and the wet does not add to the pleasantness. In a clearer spell I saw lots of Magnolia, when one fine evening I got Rhod. kingii, I saw an epiphytic Maddenii in very nearly in flower.

23rd April. Galt.