214 Journal of a trip through Kulu and Lahul, fyc. [March, 



road for the first mile and a half was good, then alternately over loose 

 stones and rocks to the bed of the Zanskar river, up which it ascends 

 for nearly a mile to the Sanga or spar bridge, — which consists of 2 

 spars of 58 feet span raised 12 feet above the stream, with a road- 

 way of split spars, and no hand-rail. The Zanskar river is a consider- 

 able stream, apparently as large as the Bhaga. Immediately opposite 

 the Bhaga is joined by another large stream, the Milang. From the 

 bridge the road follows the Zanskar river for about a mile to Darcha, a 

 small, poor, desolate-looking place, completely bare of trees, excepting 

 only five stunted pollard willows. From this place there is a tolerably 

 good horse road up the Zanskar nullah into the district of Zanskar. 

 Moorcroft's decaying and dangerous hill, to avoid which he was obliged 

 to eross over to the Milang side of the river, is now quiescent, and the 

 high road runs over the debris at the foot of it. 



During our stay in the Lahul district the thermometer ranged be- 

 tween 40° and 50° at sunrise, and rose to between 70° and 80° at mid- 

 day. 



Thursday, 3rd September. To Shungnung or Chungnung, a mere 

 halting place, 5 miles. Road for the first mile and a half a tedious 

 ascent ; then continuous rough and stony ascents and descents. No 

 firewood at this place : the coolees used sheep's dung, with which the 

 ground was covered in all directions. 



Friday, 4th September. To Kitpobrang, another halting ground, 

 8 1 miles. Road slight ascents and descents for 2\ miles to Dojam ; a 

 level spot used by the shepherds and traders as an encamping ground, 

 then stony for 1^ mile to Patseo, where we crossed the Bhaga river. 

 This bridge is dignified with the name of Patseo (or the stone bridge) 

 merely because the roadway is formed of slates instead of the usual 

 split spars. It is thrown across the stream at a very narrow points 

 where a large rock confines the waters within a space of 6 or 7 feet, 

 the whole length of the bridge being only 12 feet. Thence for two 

 miles the road is level and stony to the junction of a large stream 

 which comes from the north. Beyond this the road turns sharply to 

 the eastward up the left bank of the Bhaga for 3 miles to Kitpotrang-, 

 height 13,400 feet; country very stony, but covered with numerous 

 strawberry plants. The hills still bare, steep, and scathed, as if with 

 fire. 



