564 A Journey through Sikim. [No. 7« 



glacier of Donkiah. At present it is a mere rivulet, and never carries 

 much water ; it is joined by the stream from this lake a quarter of a 

 mile below the exit, where the stream is not more than a foot deep, 

 and ten yards across, The Lake has two affluents. The principal 

 one to the westward is from a glacier of Kanchanjhow. The other 

 carries the draining of the Donkiah Pass, which is first collected at its 

 foot in a small, circular deep lake, the outlet of which at present is 

 some feet above the level of the water. Probably it does not overflow 

 in this arid and rapidly evaporating region, except during the height 

 of the rainy season. 



We found a bed of grey limestone with traces of small organic 

 remains, in the bed of the eastern source of the Lachen. 



I started from camp at 10 a. m. to cross the Donkiah Pass into 

 Sikim, and march to Momay Samdong in the Lachoong valley. It 

 was a delightful day, and it was with great regret I bent my steps to 

 the south. Thibet is no doubt a barren land, and the severity of its 

 climate is adverse to the real enjoyment of life ; but from sunrise till 

 sunset it is indeed a pleasing and happy land to wander over, and 

 although my reason taught me to regard it as little better than a 

 desert, I could never look on its red hills shading off into sapphire 

 blue and perpetual snow, and its yellow downs of scanty grass and 

 scorched herbs lighted up to a dazzling pitch by an unclouded sun 

 and lying under the bluest sky, without declaring that it was highly 

 attractive and almost beautiful. 



Hooker is less excited by the novelty of Thibetan scenery than I 

 am ; he is going to ascend a peak of Donkiah near the Pass, and about 

 20,000 feet, to try and get other sights of Chumulari. 



The Donkiah Pass between Sikim and Thibet is over a saddle in a 

 sharp rocky ridge which connects the great Donkiah mountain — mis- 

 named Powhunry by Col. Waugh — with Kanchanjhow ; the direction 

 of this ridge is east and west, and it is thrown off from a great spur 

 of the Donkiah. Elevation of the crest of Pass 18,500 feet. Elevation 

 of the highest peak of Donkiah 23,176 feet. The ascent from our en- 

 campment on the Cholamoo Lake was gradual, for about two miles, the 

 ground rocky and almost devoid of vegetation ; another mile of steeper 

 ascent brought me to the foot of the Pass — where vegetation ceased 

 —18,000 feet. 



