CHAPTER II. 



Across the Himalayas to Gilgit. 



Lansdowne, the starting point of the expedition, is situated 

 amongst the foothills of the Himalayas in the British district of 

 Garhwal, at an elevation of 6,000 feet. The nearest railway 

 station is Kotdwara about 130 miles north-west of Bareilly, and 



LANSDOWNE. 



there is a cart road, 26 miles long, connecting it with Lansdowne, 

 while the bridle path for horse and foot traffic only is eight 

 miles shorter. Lansdowne was first constituted a permanent 

 cantonment in 1887, during the Viceroyalty of the late Marquis 

 of Dufferin and Ava. The garrison now consists of two battalions 

 of Garhwalis and two of Gurkhas. 



