256 THE BASPA VALLEY 



seven miles. The road runs along the right side of the 

 valley, ascending and descending the hill slopes. The 

 forests were thinner and the trees smaller; I noticed 

 stunted birches growing on the level of the valley for the 

 first time. It was rainy and foggy in the evening, after 

 a sunless day. Barhal are said to be found farther on. 

 I prepared for a start v/ith a light camp, leaving most of 

 my things in charge of a servant at Chitkul, in a house I 

 Q-ot from the head-man. 



