the Roof of the World. 



melting snow and the consequent slush which covered the ground, 

 and on which one constantly slipped and fell. Below the summit 

 of the Tragbal is a bungalow, a rough construction, but a 

 welcome shelter nevertheless, and of which wc were glad to avail 

 ourselves. 



Tragbal lies in a forest of towering deodars which afford an ample 

 quantity of fuel, and as the shades of night closed in blazing fires 

 turned the otherwise cheerless log hut into one of warmth and 

 comfort, gathcn'ing round which all forgot the inclemency of the 



CROSSING THE TRAGBAL PASS. 



weather. The last coolie arrived at a quarter to nine, the 

 tiring climb of 4,000 feet in eight miles having severely taxed 

 their powers. 



Tstarted just after daylight on the 31st to ascend the Tragbal 

 Pass, which lies at an altitude of 11,900 feet above sea level. 

 The day was fine, though a fairly strong wind was blowing. On 

 the northern side of the pass there commences a steep descent 

 through deep, soft snow, in which the only evidence of path or 

 track was that made by the footsteps of tb.e post runners and 



22 



