J8G2.J Notes of a trip from Simla to the Spiti Valley. 4<SL 



such speculations usually are, and, by originality and bold disregard 

 of the most obvious conclusions of geology, deserve honorable mention 

 among the choicest of those similar schemes, which the late Hugh 

 Miller has rescued from oblivion, and embalmed in his witty and 

 laughable chapter on the geology of the Anti-geologists. 



When starting myself on this trip, I greatly felt the want of a 

 few hints regarding the equipment requisite ; such as the best form of 

 tents, the amount and sort of stores, and the number of servants 

 necessary, &c. I shall, therefore, offer a few preliminary remarks on 

 such subjects, many of which must appear very trivial to any one 

 unacquainted with the vicissitudes of Himalayan travelling, but 

 which may be better appreciated by the traveller on the eve of 

 undertaking a similar journey. 



It need hardly be stated, that coolies are the most convenient kind 

 of carriage for the Himalayas ; though in many parts, ponies, mules, 

 or yaks may be substituted ; as a rule, however, all baggage should 

 be so adjusted, as to be capable of being carried by a single man, as 

 though along made roads heavier loads, requiring two or more men, 

 may be found convenient, such loads are very unsuitable, and occa- 

 sionally utterly impracticable, along the difficult paths, which will 

 inevitably be met with during a prolonged journey in the hills. 

 Regarding coolies, there is scarcely any serious difficulty in procuring 

 as many as may be required in moderation, though the plan which I 

 adopted, and it is one possessing certain advantages, was to engage in 

 Simla, for the entire trip, half the number of coolies I required ; this 

 plan involves a little extra expense in many ways, and is strictly 

 speaking unnecessary, but from experience I should recommend its 

 adoption by others, and should certainly follow the same plan myself 

 on any future occasion. 



The daily rate of wages for a cooly throughout Bissahir and 

 Kunawar is four annas, and in the British district of Spiti two, 

 though the shorter stages often met with in Spiti causes the price of 

 carriage in reality to assimilate nearer than might be supposed. I 

 have often heard the higher rate of wages in Bissahir complained of 

 as exorbitant, and our Political blamed for not causing a reduction to 

 be made ; but very unreasonably so, I think. It is frequently urged 

 that, as the majority of men in the hills who carry a traveller's bag- 

 gage from day to day, are employed in and gain their livelihood by 



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