Part 79 - Lepo: diary entries for 5–6 April

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SUMMARY:
After a clear morning following heavy rain, the party marched up the rocky gorge to Lepo, crossing to the left bank and noting numerous Primula and Rhododendron species; locals were friendly and the plain resembled Pangchen. Rain returned in the afternoon. The next day was a halt at Lepo due to continuous rain, with time spent writing letters.

CONTENT:
Le-Lepo.

5th April. Lepo. B.P. 19.45. Temp. 51°. Time 3.30 pm. Approx ht. 9766. Much to our surprise after an awfully wet day and night the sky was absolutely clear this morning and the day up till about 2.30 perfect. The march up the gorge is pretty. The sides of the valley are very rocky and steep with numerous waterfalls on either side. We crossed to the left bank at 1 and at a waterfall just before the bridge there was masses of P. gracilipes (originally noted as P. Boothii). Before that, quite close to Le, there is a new primula (P. atrodentata 1278), very like P. erythrocarpa (denticulata), but with a white eye. It varies in colour a good deal, in size and beauty. It extends up here too, where it is seen almost side by side with erythrocarpa. Close beside it was a small flowered Rhododendron (Rhd. virgatum 1279). Various other red rhododendrons were seen on the way (including Rhod. Kendrickii 1280, R. arboreum 1281, R. argipeplum 1282, R. Thomsonii 1283, and R. baileyi 1284 & 85). The locals seem quite friendly and willing to help in every way. This is an open plain 300 yards across, not unlike Pangchen. Rain came on at 2.30 and hard at about 4.30 again. The hills are again all clothed in fir and pine, with a good deal of rhododendron lower down.

6th April. Halt at Lepo. It rained all night and rained all day today. A mail came in and I spent most of the day writing letters.