Part 63 - Langong: Egg collecting and attempted crossing of Shethang La

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SUMMARY:
At Langong, the diarist collected eggs of Crossoptilon harmani and Blood pheasant and described a demanding routine of writing up flowers and blowing eggs. On 31st May, halted at Langong due to continuous rain and, with Tsongpen, attempted to reach Shethang La toward the Sur La side but turned back in severe weather and deep snow, noting bearings, distance, and elevation, and shooting a target bird.

CONTENT:
Langong

open for more than a month, and think I can do little to change the local people's ideas. Yesterday I was brought 7 eggs of Crossoptilon harmani, from a nest near here in shrubs. Today I went to see a nest of Blood pheasant, 6 eggs, took them all. It is hard work just now, out at 5.30, & back by 3.0pm or so, then all flowers to write up & eggs to blow. Each of the blood pheasant eggs took me half an hour this evening.

31st May Halt Langong. Rained hard all night & all today without a stop. Went up with the intention of crossing the Shethang La to the Sur La side & collecting there. We went due S. from camp & climbed far too high, having to drop a good deal when we knew which the valley was at the head of which the La lies. It rained very hard all day & blew half a gale, so that collecting was almost impossible. I had no feeling in my hands nor had Tsongpen. The La lies at a bearing of approx 145° from Langong & is about 4-5 miles distant. We were unable to reach it, the final ascent of about 700 ft appearing - in the mist - to be very steep indeed, & was deeply covered in snow. Snow will not melt for at least a month. I should guess its height at 15000' about, or perhaps more. I shot what I hope is the wanted bird - Phyll