474 Journal of a trip in the SiTchirn Himalaya. [No. 5, 



important fact was elicited, namely, that Kanchunjingah is detached 

 from the other mountains forming the Kanchunjingah group, and 

 that none of its waters find their way into the Great Rungeet, either 

 by the Ratong or any other tributary. 



Our half frozen coolies, unable to proceed so far over the snow, 

 dropped to the rear unobserved by us, but we picked them up on our 

 return, and Dr. S. managed to get three good photographs, one of 

 which was " Pundeem from the north.'''' It being too late in the day 

 to attempt any further exploration, we commenced our return at 

 2 p. M,, and after several stoppages and very brisk walking we reached 

 Aluhtongby moonlight, at about 6.45 p. m., having undergone a very 

 laborious and fatiguing day's work, during nine and a half hours. We 

 found a Bhooteah lad had prepared us some yak soup and chupattees 

 which we fell upon with ravenous appetites. 



We all rose with heated and sore eyes, and scorched faces, the 

 effects of the cold wind, the sun and the glare from off the snow. 

 Thermometer at sunrise 11° . At 9.30 A. M. we quitted our hut and 

 very reluctantly turned our backs upon the wild scenery of the upper 

 Ratong and our faces homewards. Arrived at Jongli at 2.30, but not 

 so our coolies, who had suffered so much from the cold at night, and 

 from the cold blasts of wind during the day, which incessantly blew 

 up the valley during our stay at Aluhtong. We retraced our steps, 

 guided by the heaps of stones, and after going about four miles com- 

 menced to ascend by the steep pathway through the firs and rhodo- 

 dendrons. The road was rendered very difficult and slippery by the 

 recent fall of dead leaves. Passing under Gnbroo, and near the lake 

 we reached our old quarters at Jongli at 2.30 p. M., and the coolies 

 two hours later. 



Rose early, packed up for a start homewards. Left our homestead 

 at Jongli at 8.30 A. m. with twenty-four coolies, four of whom carried 

 guns, four bedding, two minerals, two photographic apparatus, one the 

 tent, ten stores, cooking utensils, &c, and two were sick. The coolies 

 were badly clothed, some had sore legs and chapped hands and feet, 

 and all looked more than half frozen and incapable of carrying loads 

 at this early hour of the morning, but not a murmur escaped them ; 

 they left with heavy loads, but light hearts, our cook boy remain- 

 ing a few minutes behind to blow a parting blast upon a horn or 

 Llama's thigh bone, or some such harmonious instrument. We had 



