Part 71 - Route notes and plant finds from Mihrang La, Tendong La, Chosam (Tsari), Sur La, and Tso Bunang Lakes

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SUMMARY:
The page records route conditions and weather from Mihrang La via Tendong La, joining the Cua La–Chosam route, with observations of flowering gentians. It notes work at Chosam (Tsari), including collecting primula seed and other plant finds, and describes a steep ascent over Sur La to camp at the Tso Bunang Lakes with further gentian observations.

CONTENT:
Mihrang La
c 15 miles below Teemaiting Mihrang La & Tendong La

First steep over shale, then level up to the Tendong La (16000') at m 4. Thence descent easy over grass in broad valley, joining the Cua La - Chosam route at m 7. A perfect day of bright sun all day. Found G. nubigena 2033 (Gen. przewalskii 2033, Gen. aglaia 2034, Gen. algida parviflora 2035) full out between the two passes, looking lovely.

14th August. Chosam, Tsari. 14200' 9 m. A lovely day till about 4.0 pm when there was some rain. Got seed of a little primula found here before, now under No 2044 (P. walshii 2044, sikkimensis 2037). Also found a fine gentian by camp, very like waltonii, but differing in the size of the leaves, especially the basal ones (Gent. sikkimensis 2037, prolata 2038, traversii 2039, Gentianella stellariifolia 2039). Other finds: Cyananthus lobatus 2036, lichiangensis 2042, Cremanthodium palmatum rhodocephalum 2040.

15th August. Tso Bunang Lakes Camp. 5 m. 13500'. Another fine day, with just a little rain last night. Route climbs very steeply indeed to the Sur La from Chosam village. Sur La 16000 crossed at 1 1/2. (Aconitum longipedicellatum sp. nov. 2049, Aconitum tsariense sp. nov. 2076). Thence pretty steep descent for 1 1/2 m till rhododendron then fir forest is met (P. crispa 2048). Final steep descent to the head of the second (from South) lake at m 5. A most beautiful camp, as pretty as one could wish for. There are four lakes, each about 500 yards long & 20-40' below each other. On the N side of the pass, found a good many gentians, including G. stictantha 2056 (przewalskii), which was fully out in a few places. The others were...