1848.] Narrative of a Journey to Cho Lagan, fyc. 135 



Cross the Rarub-Yankti, which consists of one or two rivulets 

 flowing through a remarkably wide and level bed, that looks much like 

 an extinct Talao, with a single small exit into the Kunti river. 



Beyond this, the snow entirely covers the ground, wherever that is 

 level enough to retain it ; it is tolerably deep in the hollows, and on the 

 northern slopes, but well frozen and hard enough to afford fair footing 

 to man and beast ; the ascent too is very gradual, over easy undulating 

 ground ; so that we have got on without much trouble ; but I have 

 suffered something from the excessive glare, my hands and neck being 

 already severely scorched. I found a pair of the Bhotia hair shades 

 sufficient protection for my eyes, though not equal to the wire-gauze of 

 English make. 



After a march of 7 hours, and which strange to say, measures only 

 8 miles on the map, we encamp at Phiamangbu, (a mere name) the 

 " Dakhna" (as the Bhotias call the hill-foot) of the two passes. To 

 the northward, in front of us is Lankpya, which we cross to-morrow 

 weather permitting, and to our right, Mankshang, the direction of 

 which is almost eastward from this, and it is said to be rather more 

 difficult than the other ; neither of them look very steep or lofty. The 

 Kunti river here consists of a small divided stream winding through a 

 wide and level bed, now so full of snow that we had some difficulty in 

 finding a few feet of bare stones for our encampment. 



Afternoon and evening cloudy with slight indications of snow, or 

 particles of frozen mist not enough to whiten the ground, which Bhauna 

 says are signs of safe weather, precluding the likelihood of actual snow- 

 fall. 



Thermometer at 5 p. m. 33° ; boiled at 185°; elevation 15,750 feet. 



The rarefaction of the air is very sensible here ; what I feel is a mere 

 shortness of breath in any bodily exertion whatever ; and in drinking, 

 and even in talking, the same symptom is very decided. 



30th September. — I found it rather cold last night, and the thermo- 

 meter at sunrise this morning 18° ; a temperature at which it is not 

 easy or agreeable turning out of bed. We start accordingly at 9^ a. m, 

 rather later than is proper with a snowy pass in front. 



Crossing the Kunti Yankti, which rises not far off to the westward 

 in deep beds of snow, the stream here shallow and half frozen, we 

 ascend the mountain side to the northward ; the valley here comes to 



T 



