J 843.] Trip to the Bulcha and Oonta Dhoora Passes. * • 101 



some of the snow beds were barely practicable, with no other track 

 except under great difficulty. 



The new detachment of troops gone to Ladhak is only 1,000 instead of 

 5,000, and they are commanded by the chief who takes credit for having 

 annihilated Zorawur Sing last year. These troops are from Gurtope 

 and not Lhassa, though I understand they came from Lhassa some 

 months ago ; and there are perhaps 5,000 more ready to advance from 

 Gurtope, if this 1,000 fail. They will get a lesson probably, when 

 Bustee Ram arrives with his Seikhs.* 



3d June. — Started at 4h. 40m. after a bad night's rest, f . Ther. 42° 

 in sleeping tent, morning very mild with dense clouds and haze. Route 

 lay up right bank of Laukon river, and was much easier than that from 

 Topee Doonga would have been. Ascent gentle, except the first part. 

 Road over snow-beds and sides of landslips. At 6h. 15m. reached 

 a small stream coming from East, which may be of considerable size at 

 some time of the year, judging from its bed. At 7h. 26m. at the foot of 

 Oonta Dhoora, and at 8h. 17m. reached the crest, walking up leisurely. 

 On the Pass it was unusually mild — no wind — and haze cleared away ; 

 so that I had a good view of whatever is visible from the top. Ther. 

 in shade 39J°. Boiled at 182°. Halted till 9h. 20m., and during the 

 interval, I attempted a sketch of views, north and south, which I must 

 get completed hereafter.^ Ate a good quantity of biscuits, and drank 

 the health of the Queen. and friends. 



There is a small sheet of blue water a little west of the foot of the 

 Pass on the north side, but I believe it dries up at some period of the 

 year. On the debta,§ two small sticks had been set upright. These 

 were fringed down the south side with what I really took to be fine 

 white cloth, but it turned out to be ice, from the congelation of moisture 

 driven past by the bitter cold north wind. I saw one young swallow 

 flitting about on the crest ; what on earth was it doing there ? 



I have made a mistake I believe regarding the three hills North East 

 of Oonta Dhoora. The nearest is Gentee, but Saour is Eastward of 



* By last account, the Chinese Thibetan forces had been totally routed at Ladhak 

 by the Seikhs, October 14, 1842.— J. H. B. 



t Probably the rarity of the air may have had a greater effect on our traveller than 

 (in his note on Manson's Journal) he seems inclined to admit. — J. H. B. 



% See Plate. 



§ Hillock or heap of stones for offerings and worship. 



