Part 117 - Route change near Lung and Char Chu with botanical notes

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SUMMARY:
Movements are recorded near Lung, with Lumsden and Tenduk exploring a southern valley, Tsongpen a southeastern one, and Pintso reporting a steep climb and descent in the Char Chu gorge; despite a reportedly reasonable route, the party decides to return to Charme via Chayul. Ludlow collects Suthora fulvifrons and rhododendrons, while the diarist notes an early start, a Lopa path possibly leading to Kushung La, and dense mixed forest.

CONTENT:
Lumsden & Tenduk up the valley South of Lung itself. Tsongpen himself up a big valley to the South East of camp. Pintso reports a climb of about 1500 through the gorge of the Char Chu, very steep, & an equally steep descent again. Otherwise the route is supposed to be pretty reasonable, but we have decided to go back to Charme. It seems silly to do so as Charme is 11 miles from here, will take us 8 days going back via Chayul. Ludlow got some Suthora fulvifrons, saw a good many rhododendrons & some other flowers. I had an excellent day, & a long one. Left camp at 5.30 & got in just after 2.0 pm. The first 1300 ft or so was up a burnt hillside, which helped a lot. Then I was lucky in finding a Lopa path through the bamboo. This must I think eventually lead to a pass, perhaps the Kushung La. The jungle is pretty dense, consisting of bamboo & rhododendron, birch, fir, pine & larch. The fir looks like Abies Webbiana again. We found eight more rhododendrons, some of which are particularly fine. The prettiest I thought were Rhod. fulvum 1383 with a nicely spotted upper half, & a blush pink flower: a fine