S78 Captain Gerard's Account of' a Survey 



they present a chain of mural precipices, eaten away by frosts 

 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 remonstrated 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 Charang pass (17,348 feet 

 high) to the valley of Nangalti. The inclemency of the 

 weather rendered it very arduous. They were detained three 

 days at Shalpia (a resting-place for travellers) by incessant 

 rain ; on the fourth day their guides consented to proceed. 

 Many snow-beds were crossed ; and, about the height of 

 16,300 feet, continuous snow-beds commenced; at first a gentle 

 acclivity, and latterly a very steep slope, surpassing in terror 

 and difficulty of access, any thing which the travellers had yet 

 encountered. The acclivity was at an angle of 37j°, of loose 

 stones, gravel, and snow, which the rain had soaked through 

 and mixed together, so as to make moving laborious, and all 

 but impracticable. The stones gave way at every step, so that 

 it became necessary to use hands as well as feet. The travel- 

 lers reached the crest of the pass at noon, in a state of exhaust- 

 ion and numbedness of hands and feet, from continued ex- 

 posure to snow and sleet, with a violent freezing wind. 



