Part 47 - Munde La observations and plans near Mera

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SUMMARY:
The diarist describes finding an enormous Abies at Munde La, notes scarce birds with several sightings and a couple shot, and enjoys a cloudless view of the northern snows. Due to unreliable maps, he plans to ascend a high point on the ridge north of Mera, and mentions local information about the Mera chu.

CONTENT:
Abies and juniper 1175. I saw one enormous tree of Abies today at the Munde La, which measured 20 ft in circumference at about 5 ft from the ground. Birds are scarce, but I shot a laughing thrush today (T. ocellata?) - a snipe, of which I saw three - probably wood snipe. Other birds seen are affinis, a grosbeak (affinis), Pnoepyga nepalensis, the little crested coal tit, some dippers with lovely white breasts, and obviously mating.

I went up to the Munde La, 2 miles east of the Chöling La, and had a magnificent view from there of the snows to the north. But it is difficult to see enough to get any good bearings on known points. So I am off tomorrow morning up a high point on the ridge north of Mera where everything should be seen easily. The map is too hopelessly out to be of any use whatever. Had I brought instruments here for a little survey, they would have been most useful, but usually if there are flowers to be found I am too busy. There has not been a sign of a cloud in the sky all day long. How lovely that makes the place. Local information says the Mera chu