Part 95 - Nyala La crossing and descent to Loro Tö with hunting attempts

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SUMMARY:
An easy ascent of Nyala La was followed by a steep descent to the small villages of Loro Tö. Lumsden stalked gazelle but missed, while the author wounded an Ovis ammon and later he and Ludlow tried unsuccessfully to approach two more. Locals provided limited transport by donkeys and dzos, and plants noted included Primula pygmaeorum and emerging irises along the stream.

CONTENT:
valley, keeping to the left or north. Ascent to the Nyala La (16900') easy, passed at 11.4. Then steep down for a mile, and easier descent down to Loro Tö, one or two small villages of 3 or 4 houses, where there is some cultivation. Lumsden tried again for gazelle 1 m. below the pass. He had a good stalk, and missed. At the pass there were a number of gazelle. While after them I saw some Ovis ammon and went after them, getting a shot with the .410 at about 80 yds. I only wounded one and unfortunately did not follow up my shot at once, when I would have had a perfect chance.

Ludlow and I then had great fun trying to get near enough two ammon who knew where we both were - one on either side of them. They did a most unusual thing, went straight downhill about 800 ft or more, and escaped. The locals here are very kind and attentive. They have transport of donkeys and dzos waiting for us, but only take us on a stage, and a small one at that. There is little to be seen here: the hillsides appear particularly bare, but along the bank of the stream there is some grass and Primula pygmaeorum in flower. Iris are coming up and the