312 



cumbured with Rhodendron Anthopogon. A tributary from tho west 

 pours over the hollow of a precipice in a magnificent waterfall. Above 

 the plain is a steep rocky barrier thrown transversely across the valley. 

 On reaching its summit we arrived at the camping ground. The coolies 

 took up their quarters in the deserted huts, and my tent was pitched 

 near an accumulation of enormous boulders. A small muddy pond lies 

 at the upper end of the flat. 



Here the two branches of the river Sebu unite, one rising in Donkia, 

 the other in the nameless snowy mass south of Ghora La. The former 

 is seen flowing in a deep and narrow gorge ; the latter rushes down a 

 steep rocky transverse slope similar to that which we ascended below 

 Sethang. Both run parallel to each other, and are probably the terminal 



all in fruit, abound on the 

 flat. 



On the following morning I walked to Ghora La, elevation 17,000 

 feet. The path descended into the stream from the Donkia, the ascent 

 beyond winds amongst gigantic boulders on the western side of the slope. 

 At the top is another small plain, and the remaining portion of the 

 valley becomes broader and ascends by a long easy gradient to 16,500 

 feet. 



From this onwards to near the head of the valley is bounded with 

 uneven ridges and unbroken slopes, which are possibly the lateral 

 moraines of the ancient glacier terminating below Sethang. 



Both seemed to be elevated 500 feet above the river. A broad terrace 

 runs along the base of the eastern one for some distance. Higher up 

 eides. The eye, following 



large 



There is an accumulation of rocks and sand at the eastern termin 

 f the glacier, and its waters feed a lake white with suspends 

 his mountain is an object of worship and veneration, and v 

 lerings of prayer, printed cloths, fluttered on the banks of the 

 etween Forked Donkia and the pass is a shivered line of crags di 

 the pass itself is an extremely narow gap, with sheer i 

 cupied by a gl 



- ng - 



hieh*. 



i widens outeastwa 

 snowy mountain. The actual asct 



small pool at the end of the glacier. There is no permanent path 

 amongst the shifting mass of rocks, so we had to make our way as best 

 we could up the lateral poised boulders, Halfway 



up we took advantage of a small snowiield. The last hundred vards 

 was over the glassy surface of the ice, in which we cut steps as we 

 advanced. 



The available standing room on the pass would scarcely suffice for 

 10 men, and the descent on the Tibetan side is startling in its steepness. 

 Its surface was covered with a shoot of sioms. This pass is not prac- 

 ticable for the passage of yaks, and is seldom used by foot travellers. 

 On the north a high naked hill projected eastwards, appearing as a huge 

 pile of stony debris; on the south a large glacier descended, liolow 

 lay the broad open grassed valley of the Ridu Chu ; beyond were a few 

 g elevated plateaux of large extent, 

 and further back still were mountains of the same dull red colour 

 running east and west, and over them hung heavy masses of clouds which 



