Mk. H. T. Colebrooke's Remarks on the Setlej River. 37,5 



The height of tliis spot is 10,200 feet. The rocks are i?ranite and gneiss 

 forming a succession of precipices, with a solitary tree here and there' 

 The path IS narrow, and skirts the brink of the abyss, looking down upon 

 the Setlej, 4,000 feet below- ^ 



R6gi, where they halted, is 9,100 feet above the level of the sea. Towards 

 XheSeikj there are vineyards, and around the village apricots, peaches and 

 apples. 



Thence they ascended to the height of 10,900 feet through a forest of 

 straggling pines, of the species called Ri or Mora (Mr. Elphinstone's CMl- 

 guza.) It does not here flourish to the westward of Wanghu. The road 

 rises and falls upon siiarp pointed rocks, and now and then a flight of steps 

 occurs. Opposite is the confluence of the Baspd with the Setlej. Its waters 

 make a very considerable addition to this far-travelled river. The road 

 descends precipitously (2,600 ket) to Rungar, a small stream. The face of 

 the hill is unwooded, but beautifuUy diversified with wild flowers, and clothed 

 with rich pastures for tiiousands of sheep. Hence to Mtru, or Mirtimr a 

 small village 8.550 feet above the sea. the path ascends and descends amidst 

 dwarf pines and oaks. 



The YuU, a considerable stream which rises amongst the snow in the 

 N.W. and falls into the Setlej, was crossed 1,200 feet below the village On 

 its banks are many fertile fields. Thence the road ascends through a wood 

 of oak and holly, which afl^ords shelter to many varieties of pheasants ; passes 

 the village of U'mi, and arrived at Tholang, a village containing fifty.five 

 families, and agreeably situated on both banks of a rivulet. It is 7 300 feet 

 above the level of the sea. The whole of the rocks in this tract are gneiss 

 In severa spots the ground had been torn up by bears in search of the honey 

 ot the held bee, which is here common. 



At a short distance from Chegaon, the road passes under a natural arch of 

 granite formed by the contact of two immense blocks. The travellers then 

 descended t« the Setlej. and continued for several miles along its banks 

 sometimes a little elevated above it, more frequently dipping down to the 

 edge of the stream, which is very rapid. The rocks on both sides are worn 

 into many caves, which re-echo the roar of the river with tenfold noise 



A very dangerous ascent was next encountered along the face of smooth 

 ledges of granite, very steeply inclined to the Setlej ; in these the nitches 

 for support scarce admitted half the foot, and were cut at very inconvenient 

 distances. 



