104 Sclilagintweit's Geographical Configurations 



ern Ghats, the Bapdeo and the Katriij both exceeded 3,000 ft., 

 the former being 3,499 ft., the latter 3,019 ft. 



For High Asia, the mean of a sufficient number of such passes 

 which lead over the three principal crests is particularly to be 

 taken into consideration, it being approximatively proportional 

 to the mean height of these crests. The passes situate in the 

 lateral ramifications of the principal crests — though they are 

 numerous — cannot be included in these general means, being 

 geographically of subordinate importance * 



The mean heightf of passes is as follows, the value being based 

 on the heights contained in the table at p. 106. 



a. For the Himalaya 17,800 ft. 



From Sikkim to Kishtv4; Bhutdn and Kashmir being excluded; tbe 

 former for want of materials, and Kashmir on account of the Himalaya 

 there losing the character of one well defined and predominant chain. 

 h. For the Karakorum 18,700 ft. 



We have data only from Long. E. Gr. 7G° to 79^°, the heights in the 

 eastern continuation being quite unknown. 



c. For the Kuenluen 17,000 ft. 



Ilere we know the height of two passes only. As they are ^itinft^''. 

 however, in parts not diftering, in any important particular, from tli<^ Z "' 

 eral character of this chain, they may be looked upon as repre^-eiun*'-' 

 of the others. 



From these numbers it appears, that the Karakonim In- 

 far the greatest mean height of passes ; but the one pa<-^ ^ 

 we must still consider the highest is situated in the Hi 

 This is the Ibi Gamin pass (20,459 ft.), leading from (i.V ^ 

 Gnari Khorsum, which we crossed August 22, 185-"). 

 known to the natives of Mana and Badrinath, some of a\ i 

 about 36 years ago, once ventured to cross it with their !..> 

 sheep. The Mana pass at that time was infested by robbery r.J 

 the difficulties encountered, as also the loss of sheep and n-^-" 

 chandize experienced on this occasion, were so considerable r.; 

 to induce the natives to give up all idea of using the route as a 



Some comparisons with other and more familiar instanav o: 

 elevation will tend to furnish a more adequate idea of the ey 

 traordinary height of this pass. The one coming nearest toio^ 

 Gamin in height, the Mustagh pass in Bdlti, is 1,440 ft. lowe^- 

 We may remark incidentally, that the Ibi Gamin pass is only 

 1,800 ft. below the highest point attained by us on the peak oi 

 the same name. This pass exceeds tbe highest in the Andes bj 



* We have had occasion to cross one pass of above 20,000 ft., one abi.ve 19,000 fU 

 BIX between 19,000 and 18,000 ft., nine between 18.000 and 17,000 ft , Ac. 



f The precise figures are: Himdlaya 17,789 ft., Karakorum 18,721 ft. and R««" 

 lueii 16,999 ft. 



