Mr. H, T. CoLEBROOK^s Remarks on tlie Setlej River. 353 



The valley of the Tidiing is very narrow ; in parts so much so, as 

 scarcely to afford a passage for the river. The stream is furiously rapid, 

 the declivity very great, and the rumbhng of large stones, carried down 

 with velocity by the force of the water, was incessant. For six or seven 

 miles the fall of the river is 300 feet per mile, and in some, places almost 

 double : where it presents an entire sheet of foam and spray, thrown up 

 and showered upon the surrounding rocks with loud concussiJn, re-echoed 

 from bank to bank with a noise like thunder. 



The dell of the Tidung, at IMns, a Tartar village, is confined by towering 

 cliffs of white granite and mica slate. The mountains in the neighbour- 

 hood of Ouh-ang are all of blue slate, naked to their tops, and exhibiting 

 decay and barrenness in the most friglitful forms. They tower in sharp de- 

 tached groups to about 18,000 feet. No vegetation approaches their bases, 

 whilst their elevated summits offer no rest to snow. 



\\here the dell was narrowest, there was so little space for the stream, 

 that the road continued but for a small distance on the same side, and 

 crossed the river repeatedly by Sangas ; one was inclined at an angle 

 of 15°. The travellers had to pick their way : one while upon smooth 

 surfaces of granite, sloping to the raging torrent ; at another, the route 

 led among huge masses and angular blocks of rock, forming capacious 

 caves, where fifty or sixty people might rest: here the bank was formed of 

 rough gravel, steeply inclined to the river ; there the path was narrow 

 witii a precipice of 500 or 600 feet below, whilst the naked towering peaks, 

 and mural rocks, rent in every direction, threatened the passenger with 

 ruin from above. 



In some parts of the road there were flights of steps; in others, frame- 

 work, or rude staircases, opening to the gulph below. In one place is a 

 construction still more frightful to behold ; it is called R^pU, and is made 

 with extreme difficulty and danger. In the instance, it consisted of six 

 posts driven horizontally into clefts of the rocks, about twenty feet distant 

 from each other, and secured by wedges. Upon this giddy frame a staircase 

 of fir-spars was erected, of the rudest nature; twigs and slabs of stone 

 connected them together. There was no support on the outer side, which 

 was deep, and overhung the Tidhig, a perfect torrent. 



After surmounting this terrific passage, they came to another, where the 

 footpath had been swept away. It would have been impracticable ; but 

 from previous intimation, thirty people had been despatched the preceding 



