Part 37 - Sakden: 27 July exploration towards Nyuksang La amid illness

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SUMMARY:
At Sakden on 27 July, many of the Kashmiris were down with fever, with Ramzana particularly ill, which delayed progress but enabled exploration of two high areas. The writer ascended to Nyuksang La on the route to Mera, describing shepherding, buckwheat cultivation, and the route via the Gamri Chu with changing vegetation from broadleaf and fir to rhododendron.

CONTENT:
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wrestling in Bhutanese style. All the people here are shepherds. They grow their crops on the steep hillside - as far as I can see only buckwheat.

27th July. SAKDEN. All our Kashmiris have been down
Buddleia colvilei 614
Lil. nanum 615
Rhod. campanulatum 616, 619, 622, 624,
Mec. horridula 623
with fever. Ramzana has been bad. This prevented us from getting on, but on the other hand it has helped, as we have been able to explore two small areas at a good height. I have been up to the Nyuksang La (estimated 12500-13000') on the route to Mera. Mera is where most of the yaks & sheep are kept. They return to Sakden in the winter. From Sakden the road leads across the Gamri Chu, up a small saddle & steeply down 800 ft - to the South. A branch of the Gamri Chu is met there & followed up for 1 1/2 miles, then crossed & a steep ascent made S.W. to the Nyuksang La. When this ascent begins, the jungle is mostly broad leaf trees, with some fir & quite a number of larch. Then fir predominates, & after passing a "basti" rhododendron takes the place of fir, till the top is reached when there is