of the Valley of the Setlej River. 39 



of two miles, the path was nearly plain, and we passed through 

 a belt of birches at the immense elevation of 1 4000 feet. 



'* It is so named, after the species of juniper called Pdnia, 

 (which is the only wood for fuel found in the vicinity) and is 

 13,700 feet above the sea. 



" This was a very fatiguing march for loaded persons. 

 Sumdo is the usual stage, and the next does not cross the pass ; 

 but it had been snowing for some days upon the heights 

 around, and our guides preferred crossing the chain on the 

 second day from Ropa for fear of bad weather. 



" Part of the baggage arrived during the night ; and from 

 this time forward, the tent, with some other things, were lost 

 sight of. 



" The Darbung is here much reduced in size. The cliffs 

 rise from the water's edge in wild disorder, and every year 

 marks them with decay. Their sharp summits crumble away 

 by frost and snow, and large portions of rock are precipitated 

 into the bed of the river. 



" The following day we marched to Sopona, sl halting-place 

 for travellers, distant eight miles and three quarters. 



" The road lay upon the bank of the Darbung, which it 

 crossed thrice by immense arches of snow, covered with heaps 

 of stones that had fallen from above. 



" The mountains are of limestone, and end in peaked sum- 

 mits of many curious forms, inclined to the north at various 

 angles. Not a trace of vegetation meets nourishment there ; 

 and the snow cannot find a rest, but is hurled down, together 

 with the rock itself, and is exhibited at the bottom in accumu- 

 lations of a frightful magnitude. 



" We had now come two miles and three quarters, and the 

 dell was terminated, and close round. The Darbung is lost 

 among the fields of snow where it is generated, and the whole 

 space on every side is floored with ice and frozen snow, half 

 hid under stones and rubbish. In some places the snow is of 

 incredible depth) and lies in heaps. Having accumulated for 

 years together, it separates by its gravity, and spreads deso- 

 lation far and wide. 



" We had never before observed such enormous bodies of 

 snow and ice, nor altogether so wonderful a scene. So rapid 



