Part 85 - Mago to Lap via Chera La with plant collections and route notes

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SUMMARY:
From Dyuri the party followed the Dungma Chu, crossed to the left bank, ascended steeply to the Chera La, then descended to follow the Gorjo Chu and camped at Chira Chum, collecting several plants en route. They continued to Lap in the Gorchu Lap Valley, halted there while Sherriff went over the Bo La, and noted disappointment with the upper Tawang Chu area.

CONTENT:
41

Mago - 26th July
Notholirion bulbuliferum 717
Spiraea arcuata 718
Prim. bellidifolia 719
" atrodentata 721
Cypripedium himalaicum 722 - Himalayan
Prim. waltonii 724

Certainly a bit late, but this valley looks good. The other was too full of shale to be good. Path leaves Dyuri, following the Dungma Chu for 1½ miles, crossing it to the L. bank by a bridge. It then ascends very steeply through the jungle to the Chera La 3½ (about 13,411'). Descent on the south side very stony but not so steep. Then follow up the R. bank of the Gorjo Chu to camp at Chira Chum. Here there are two unoccupied huts, in a clearing. Grazing, water, fuel all good. Found a primula on the way down from the pass (Chera La), & another here. The latter is like the red one on the Nyuksang La or Orka La, but not so dark. It has a fine scent, & is a most beautiful flower. It rained all day from 9.0 am on, so again we had no idea what kind of country we were coming to. When the mist lifted, it looked promising ahead.

27th July. To LAP. Gorchu Lap Valley. 6 miles. 14,342'. B.P. 186.6° Temp 47°
196
Prim. pusilla var. flabellata 725
Lilium nanum 726
Swertia kingii 727
Ran path up the R. bank of the Gorjo Chu. Pass two shelters at Chumba.

28th July. Halt at Lap. Sherriff went over the Bo La.
NB
It is a great disappointment, after coming all this way to find that this upper Tawang Chu area is useless. At this height...