DHONGLAILA PASS. 



257 



February 26th. — Leaving this, we commenced a long and at last 

 very steep ascent, the snow increasing in thickness as we increased 

 our elevation, the march commenced with undulations, but soon 

 passed off into an excessively steep ascent, in some parts indeed 

 precipitous, We crossed at twelve and a half p. m. the Pass of Rodoola, 

 on which are some slabs, with mystic characters, but even here the 

 ascent did not terminate, but continued, although very gradually for 

 perhaps two miles more. Before coming to the summit, a small hut 

 is passed. The descent was at first very rapid, then we proceeded 

 along the side of the mountain for a long way, at nearly the same 

 level through woods of Abies densa. On recommencing the descent, 

 swardy patches "commenced, surrounded by fir woods, these increased 

 in frequency. At length we reached extensive fir woods, from 

 whence a valley was visible, percolated by a large stream to which 

 we descended over open country with beautiful patches of firs, and 

 at length over extensive swards. I reached the village at 5 p. m., 

 after a march of nearly nine hours, the direction was west, the dis- 

 tance eighteen miles. The road was very bad ; in one place our ponies 

 escaped with difficulty, the road having apparently fallen in, and 

 the only footing being afforded by the thickness of the snow : one 

 poney was saved by placing branches under him. The highest por- 

 tion of the Pass near the peak was good enough. Snow was heavy 

 on the road, until we descended into the open fir-wooded country, it 

 became scanty at 9,500 feet. The day was gloomy and misty, 

 for a moment, the sun appeared while I stood on the summit, dis- 

 closing deep ravines, one formed by the valley in which we now are, 

 surrounded in every direction by equally high land, as that on which 

 I stood, and certainly not under 12,000 feet. Nothing visible but 

 dense forests of firs. The highest point crossed was 12,035 feet, 

 estimating the summit to be 300 feet above the Pass itself, which is 

 so narrow as scarcely to admit of the passage of a loaded mule. 



In the open spot around the hut, Tofieldioid, which continues as 

 high as 10,500 feet, Cerastium inflatum, Labiata species, Conecis, 

 which, as on Dhonglaila, continues up to 12,000 feet, Dipsacus, Pru- 

 nella, Gaultheria nummularioides, Pteris aquilina, stunted, Juncus 

 niveus, Gnaphalium. No firs were visible, but the trees were so 

 covered with snow, that I was not able to distinguish them. 



At 9,800 feet, along an open ridge, Spiraea belloi'des, Buddloea, B. 

 purpurasae, Khasyanae affinis, Andropogones, Mespilus microphyllus. 

 Hydrangea, Taxus, Swertia, Gnaphalium, Thibaudia orbicularis 



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