Part 229 - Sakden halt and ascent to Nyuksang La with plant observations

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SUMMARY:
The diarist halts at Sakden and ascends toward the Nyuksang La, but cloud prevents views of northern snow peaks; the pass height is recorded. Gentiana amoena is abundant on the Meha and some Primula seed is collected, though many bagged specimens were eaten by sheep or yaks. The Kazi has tended the potted plants, most of which have survived.

CONTENT:
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[Marginal note: Ludlow p. 149. The Nyuksang La is just a subsidiary pass leading from the Sakden valley into the Mera valley, the latter river emptying into the Gamri Chu above Phongme.]

...of the Meconopsis grandis, a wine-red Primula and perhaps the yellow one too, but I doubt about the blue one. The bags on the latter were all eaten by yaks. The Kazi has looked after the potted plants well enough, and all but two (a saxifrage) are alive.

20th October Halt Sakden. Another grand day, though there were clouds away to the North even early in the morning. I left Sakden at 5.20 and went up to the Nyuksang La. Left the ponies at the hut, and walked up to the North to a peak. But the clouds covered all the view of the snow hills to the north. Although it was very pretty, there was no chance of getting any bearings or even a useful photo. Then walked along the tops to the Nyuksang La, where I took the height (B.P. 187.7 Temp. 55° = Ht. 13766').

[Marginal note: Gentiana amoena 1001]
There were masses of that lovely Gentiana amoena found on the Meha (1001). The locals eat this, either when in flower or dead: it is cooked in ghee and said to be very 'sweet'. I tried to collect seeds up there and found some of Primula No. 602.

[Marginal note: Primula glabra 602]
[Note above text: Primula gambeliana]
The other one 608 (or 611) I could not find. The Kazi did not find the bagged specimens either. All have been eaten by sheep or yaks.

[Note above text: Primula strumosa]
No. 612 could not be found either. It had also been completely cleared by animals, but I have three bags of...