350 Mr. H. T. Colesrooite's Remarks on the Setkj River, 



in deep blue lakes. The travellers passed along the margin of one, 150 

 feet in diameter : the way was extremely dangerous, upon ice sloping 

 abruptly to the water ; in this there was no footing, till notches were cut 

 with a hatchet, an operation which long delayed their progress. Latterly, 

 they travelled over mounds of unfathomable snow, so loose as scarcely to 

 be capable of supporting them at the depth of three feet. The guides had 

 snow-shoes, which were at least five or six inches in breadth. They said, 

 that early in the morning, before the sun had power, the snow would bear 

 the weight of a loaded person ; and in May and June, when the pass is 

 most frequented, it does not sink at any time of the day. 



The travellers reached the elevation of 1.5,500 feet, where the pass 

 appeared to be l.-lOO or 1,500 feet higher, over vast fields of snow. 



The dell is broad (half a mile wide), and covered with snow in high 

 wreaths. The mountains, which have a S.E. exposure, are nearly bare, 

 a few patches of snow only appearing at great heights. The line of cliff's 

 may be 17,500 feet. On the other side, the mountains are nearly of the 

 same height, and they present a chain of mural precipices, eaten away by 

 frost into forms like towers and steeples. Much of the rock near the 

 summits is exposed ; and snow, having lost its hold on their steep craggy 

 sides, has accumulated below. 



It had rained several hours ; the sleet fell thickly, without any prospect 

 of its clearing up. Messrs. Gerard thought it prudent to order a speedy 

 retreat ; especially as the guides were greatly alarmed, and strongly remon- 

 strated against their proceeding further, lest they should fall into some deep 

 chasm, concealed by soft snow. 



The shower of sleet continued with them the greater part of the descent ; 

 and latterly changed to rain, with a milder climate. From the craggy sides 

 of the dell the rocks were loosened by the rain, and followed each other 

 in a continued crashing, and some pieces tore up the path a few yards 

 from them. 



Having caught severe colds, they did not renew the attempt to visit 

 Kimlid (nor Sagld), but returned to Chetkul ; and were dissuaded from 

 attempting the Neilang pass, where, several years ago, eighteen persons 

 perished in the passage : since which time, few loaded travellers have 

 ventured by that route. 



Messrs. Gerard proceeded by the Chdrang pass (17,348 feet high) to the 

 valley of Nangalti. The inclemency of the weather rendered it very 



