Part 199 - Mipa and Tama La observations, 20 June

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SUMMARY:
Field notes record Primula species near Mipa, a description of the Mipa valley, a pilgrim with a goat and a sheep, and another Anthus nest with three eggs. On 20 June at Tama La (via Shagam La), the party found P. dryadifolia on cliffs and a yellow Meconopsis (2188), likely M. horridula var. lutea.

CONTENT:
Mipa - 20th. P. dryadifolia subsp. jonarduni 2181.
P. dickieana pantlingii 2174

masses in some boggy places, 2174. And an addition to our primulas in P. dryadifolia 2178 (pantlingii 2178), which Tendrup found in one place, on a south-faced cliff. I went and had a look at the Mipa valley this evening. This plain empties its water through a gorge to another about 1 m below it to the E. At the end of that the fir forest begins. It looks a wonderful valley, but I doubt if I could do much there without getting a long way down. A man passed today on pilgrimage. He was carrying a small load and a goat and a sheep were following. We asked what they were doing. "Oh they are on pilgrimage too." They followed quite happily. Saw another Anthus' (Sherriff) nest today - 3 eggs.

20th June. Tama La. 14500' 6 ½ m. Another grand day, absolutely perfect all morning, with not a cloud in the sky till about 9.00 am. The first two miles to the Shagam La are easy, the last very difficult, mostly over soft but deep snow. Reached the pass in just under 3 hours. ½ m below the pass there are some cliffs on the R of the road. Found P. dryadifolia on them, and a yellow meconopsis (2188) which looks like M. horridula. I wonder if it can be the Mec. argemonantha of Bailey.

(Mec. horridula var. lutea var. nov. 2188)