1842.] Dhoora Pass in Juwahir. 1171 



falling of small fragments of rock, dislodged by the melting of the snow. 

 After completing the ascent of the snow-bed,* saw the stream flowing 

 over a small valley at a very placid rate, and entering the snow-bed at a 

 similar opening to the one where it has its exit. The road continued 

 along the base of the mountain on the left bank, all the mountains on 

 the opposite side, being the north-face, were covered with snow to their 

 base, as well as those at the head of the small valley which had beds 

 of snow in the hollows, or rather glens, and from one of them the river 

 appeared to take its course. The road continued in this direction 

 N. W., very good for a mile and a half with very little ascent, we then 

 turned to the N., and commenced rather a steep ascent over a mass of 

 white siliceous rock, the debris of the mountain above. On reaching 

 the summit, we came to another rather level piece of ground, but co- 

 vered with large fragments of a darker rock and a blacker soil. We 

 then had another ascent over the same kind of rock and soil, and on 

 reaching the top came in sight of the Pass. A little further on, crossed 

 two snow-beds ; one, the 1st, from two to three hundred yards ; the 2d, 

 not more than sixty or seventy yards wide ; it appeared in some places 

 to be fresh snow. After crossing these, the last ascent to the Pass pre- 

 sented itself, and appeared easy enough, being quite free from any 

 snow ; but owing to our present elevation, we found the difficulty 

 of ascent so great, that we were obliged to have recourse to the jaded 

 jubboos; but finding mine quite unable to carry me up, I dismounted 

 and made another attempt to ascend on foot, but had not taken more 

 than six paces, before I found myself quite unable to proceed from 

 excessive weakness in the limbs and loins. I therefore made the guide, 



* At or near this point on the 28th May 1841, my own further progress to the Pass 

 was rendered quite impossible from the depth and softness of the snow, which was fall- 

 ing heavily in a thick mist. It was not without great difficulty, and some danger that 

 I got back to Doong on a jooboo's back. There also the snow was so heavy, and the 

 appearance of the atmosphere so threatening, that the Bhooteeahs recommended an im- 

 mediate flight to Milum, Doong being a very dangerous place for avalanches, and 

 the road to Milum likely to become more and more unsafe every moment. I accord- 

 ingly moved, and my whole party arrived the same day safe, but in a miserable plight, 

 at Milum. On the 29th May 1842, Lieut. Weller found the whole route almost en- 

 tirely bare of snow, and he was able to penetrate more than twelve miles beyond 

 Oonta Dhoora to Bulcha Ghat, without difficulty. The last winter was very mild in 

 the Himalaya, and the usual bad weather in the spring months was quite absent. In 

 general, June and not May, is the earliest month for the opening of the Passes. — 

 J. H.B. 



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