Part 31 - Yatung and Chumbi valley, 14–15 May: descent from Chusitang and visit to Pipithang

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SUMMARY:
An easy downhill march to Yatung through fir, larch, and rhododendron is described, with few flowers seen and notes on birds and scenes such as Kargiu monastery. The party visits the Depen of Pipithang with Pema translating, rides along the Amo Chu, meets telegraph clerk Rosemeier, and decides to skip Lingmathang due to late flowers, with plans for Ludlow to go to Sharithang while the writer returns.

CONTENT:
13

snow was very fine. The Tibetans have some most expressive words. Their word for dawn means either "The lifting of the skies", or "Sunlight on the peaks."

to
14th May. YATUNG. 9950'. 12 miles. Fine most of the day at low

B. S. contd
Scenes on the way down from Chusitang.
Kargiu monastery -
Piptanthus nepalensis (no. 3)

altitudes, snow on the hills after midday. An easy march down hill to the Chumbi valley, through fir rather than pine & larch & rhododendron jungle. We let the kit go on ahead & wandered down very slowly, looking for birds. Surprised how few flowers are out. There is hardly anything to be collected here now, & there will be less in Lingmathang. Still no news about Tibet from Williamson. Called on the Depen of Pipithang, an agreeable Tibetan trade agent. There the head clerk of the B.T.A. - Pema - met us & translated. Rode in from Pipithang up the Amo Chu, a river which looks ideal for trout, were it not in Tibet. Met here by Rosemeier, the telegraph clerk, who long outstayed his welcome.

15th May. YATUNG. All flowers are so far behind that we have decided not to go to Lingmathang to seek flowers. We will see the place tomorrow & when Ludlow is ready he will go direct to Sharithang. I must return