Dodoino- Avalanches. 



my own party. This descent continues for some considerable 

 distance until the Zudkusu Valley is reached, one of the most 

 dangerous parts of the Gilgit route. 



Here the path lies through a narrow ravine whose sides are 

 so precipitous that it seems impossible the snow could remain 

 there at all. It is said the vibration of the air caused by 

 speaking is sufficient to bring down an avalanche, so being un- 

 desirous of qualifying for an early grave we kept a discreet 

 silence, girding up our loins ready to lower all previous sprinting 

 records. 



I camped that night in the bungalow at Gurai, now com- 

 pletely buried in snow, entrance to it having to be effected 

 by burrowing through the white layer hardened by con- 

 tinual frost. It was of vital importance to start early in the 

 mornings before the sun could gain sufficient power to act on the 

 snow and bring it down in avalanches. During the night it, of 

 course, freezes hard, but should the day be fine the hot sun 

 loosens the outer layers from the precipitous cliffs, sending them 

 down in irresistible slides. 



So I set out the next morning at four o'clock in the hope of 

 doing a long march and getting over some of the worst parts of 

 the road before the sun should bring down avalanches from the 

 steep ravine sides through which our way now led. The 

 going was heavy in the extreme and in places all trace of the path 

 had been completely obliterated by avalanches, necessitating a 

 laborious climb over these obstructions with the ever-present 

 possibility of starting them afresh. The road was ever3^vhere 

 blocked by these avalanches, many of which, coming down as we 

 pushed on through the ravines, threatened to engulf and sweep 

 us away in their deadly embrace. 



Gurais was reached in the late afternoon, but I decided to 

 push on to Dudgee, which lay some six miles further up the 

 valley. So, halting only for a cup of tea and to change coolies, 

 resumed the onward march through a mighty ravine which was 

 simply one mass of avalanches. Ever and anon they would come 



23 



