Part 183 - Munda camp and route to Tö Gompa (Pomo Tso), 10 September 1933

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SUMMARY:
Notes on pitching camp at Munda with views of high peaks east of the Kuru Chu beyond Towa. Describes the route via Khobrak Chu and Munda La to Tö Gompa by Pomo Tso, mentions brackish lake water, limited fuel, birds observed, and that seven lamas were resident in 1933.

CONTENT:
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B. 28. contd.
Camp being pitched at Munda. Watching bed being made: types: View down valley from Munda.

just appearing at each end. There seems to be a range of high mountains due E of the line of the Kuru Chu away beyond Towa. The only ones on the map are marked 19,000' but these would seem to be considerably higher, especially the three peaks which are ice covered a good way down. To the South E of Munda is a fine snow peak, but it has not yet been clear of cloud. The sun is lovely today and the sky a beautiful blue again.

6

To Tö Gompa
10th September. TO MONASTERY (POMO TSO) 16,200' 16 miles.

Cross the side valley running into the Khobrak Chu at Munda, and continue up the right bank of this stream. The valley is fairly narrow but the path good and ascent easy. At m 4 cross to the left bank. The path becomes steeper then reaches the MUNDA LA at m 6 (17,200'). The descent on the north side is very gradual over rolling open downs.

On a fine day the view from the Munda La must be magnificent.

A small river is met at m 9 with a low cliff on the West side, this is followed till the Pomo Tso lake is seen at m 10. The path goes close to the lake at m 11 and followed the east shore round to the To monastery at m 16.

Birds on the way:
Horned Larks
Mountain Finches
Redstarts
Short-toed larks

The water of the Pomo Tso is brackish, but there is ample water from streams. Fuel - only yak dung and perhaps a little juniper which is brought up for use in the monastery. In 1933 there were only seven lamas resident.