1862.] Journal of a trip in ilie SiJckim Himalaya. 469 



that attracted my attention was our black friend the yak, who had 

 turned white during the night, his long shaggy flanks being entirely 

 covered with a coating of ice. 



After taking an early cup of cocoa, some of the party started on 

 another exploring expedition. 



After proceeding about three miles, sometimes along yak tracks, 

 and at others along the grassy slopes of the mountains and over 

 dwarf rhododendron, we found ourselves on the verge of a deep preci- 

 pice which entirely cut us off from a snow spur which we desired to 

 reach on the other side of the gorge. It would have taken us hours 

 to reach the bottom of this valley and the remainder of the day to 

 ascend the opposite side ; so we relinquished the object we had in 

 view at starting, and decided upon ascending the perpetual snow 

 clad peak of Gubroo instead. After partaking of breakfast near 

 the Gubroo lake, a fine clear and deep sheet of water 130 paces 

 square, situated in a picturesque spot at the foot of the mountain to 

 the south-east, we commenced the ascent of Gubroo which we found 

 very trying from its steepness, and the great elevation causing short- 

 ness of breath, nausea, and violent headache. We reached about 

 J 6,500 feet, when I found it impossible to proceed any further, in 

 consequence of an oppression in the head and a feeling like that of sea- 

 sickness. The Gubroo range, as seen from Darjeeling, presents a black, 

 rocky and precipitous foreground to Kanchunjingah. It is formed of 

 a finely laminated dark colored gneiss and hornblende, which exist in 

 immense angular masses, rising in steps with perpendicular walls. 

 The snow lies very thick on the summit of these flat masses and in 

 the cavities, though scarcely visible at a distance. 



The snow was very bright and dazzling ; our attendants being 

 unable to stand the glare and cold, remained behind. We commenc- 

 ed the descent at 1 p. M., and reached camp at 3.30 p. M. The 

 droppings of deer were everywhere visible, but we only sighted one 

 musk deer which rose close to us in scrubby rhododendron forest. A 

 fine covey of Tetragallus and two solitary snipes were also seen, 

 but we were disappointed at the absence of game along the east- 

 ern slopes of the Jongli plateau which is well watered by numerous 

 small streams, some of which spreading out with marshes and small 

 lakes afford excellent cover for pheasants and jungle fowl. During 

 our absence our headman had shot the yak and prepared a savoury 



