1852.] A Journey through Sikim. 487 



warmed the atmosphere immediately it appeared, and gave a delightful 

 feeling of elasticity to the air while it remained unclouded. 



At 2 p. m. on the mean level of Phaloong where Hooker took Baro- 

 metrical observations, and the boiling point of Thermometer, the 

 Temp, was 45° ; the sky was cloudy, and a light snow drizzle falling. 



Phaloong is about 7 miles from Tungu. About half way the Tungu 

 stream is joined from the north by the Zhachoo, which rising from 

 the western base of Kanchanjhow, sweeps round and bounds Phaloong 

 to the east. For a distance of three miles the Zhachoo runs quite slug- 

 gishly and very tortuously through a flat swampy valley, which has all 

 the appearance of a lake bed. After emerging from this swamp the 

 stream is precipitated by a sudden fall over a collection of rocks and 

 stones at the southern extremity, whence its course is rapid, and its 

 bed very rocky. From the upper or north-east extremity of this 

 flat portion of the valley of the Zhachoo, there is a road to Momay 

 Samdong at the head of the Tachoong valley ; it goes over the Pass 

 of Seeboolah, which is just now heavily snowed, and is probably 18,000 

 feet high. 



As this route *to Lachoong is in the Sikim territory, we have been 

 urged to take it : but I have the greatest desire to go through Thibet 

 to the Cholamoo Lake, and get into the Lachoong valley from the 

 north by the Donkiah Pass, and I hope to accomplish this without 

 offence to any one. During the ascent to 16,500 feet at Phaloong, 

 my breathing was but slightly affected ; there was a feeling of faint- 

 ness with a constant desire to take full inspirations, and nothing more. 

 "When standing still my respiration was not the least incommoded. 

 After descending 1,000 feet, however, a racking headache came on, and 

 by the time I reached Camp at Tungu, 6 p. m. it was so bad I could 

 not sit up at all. A feeling of tightness round the occiput, as if a cord 

 was being hard pulled on it, was very distressing, and violent vomit- 

 ing ensued, which continued at intervals till daylight. The Lama and 

 five servants who accompanied me were similarly affected sooner than 

 I was, and their headaches also have continued till to-day. Neither 

 Hooker nor his servants were the least affected by the ascent of yes- 

 terday ; but they have been at this sort of work for three months past, 

 and are well used to high elevations. I felt no inconvenience at eleva- 

 tions below 15,000 feet. 



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