lo 
REPORT ON A BOTANICAL TOUR IN KASHMIR, 1892. 
without a cloud in the sky. The elevation was about 13,000 feet. In 
the evening I went up for a few miles towards the head of the main 
valley and collected some plants. 
Early the next morning (July 21st) we made for the pass, begin- 
ning with a steep more or less grassy ascent up to 1 4,500 feet. Beyond 
this is a wide corrie surrounded by an amphitheatre of precipices, and 
with a lake at the bottom and patches of snow all about, From here 
turning to the west we had another stiff climb before us, wdth a good 
deal of snow to cross at a disagreeable angle, for the snow was frozen 
bard and steps had to be cut. Having reached the top of this slope 
we found ourselves in another hollow basin. Here was a much larger 
lake all frozen over. There was nothing now to be seen but rocks 
and ice and snow. 
After skirting the shores of this lake we reached the foot of the 
final climb, a steep staircase of rock, and at last arrived at the sum- 
mit of the pass, the elevation of which is 15,200 feet. The descent 
on the western side is into a valley which was covered with snow for 
2 or 3 miles. The upper part of the snow slope was very steep and 
hard, and steps had to be cut for a considerable distance. We got 
off the snow^ at about 1,000 feet below the summit of the pass, and 
rested for a short time by some big jboulders. From here the finest 
view of Nanga Parbat is obtained, and it w^as seen to perfection on 
this day 
Looking about amongst the boulders for. botanical specimens I 
came, across some human bones, and beside them a few pieces of 
cloth, also a portion of a gun-stock. 1 hey were all together in a sort of 
small cave formed by an overhanging boulder, which may have afforded 
the unlucky traveller temporary shelter, but which eventually became 
his tomb. 
We had to go down the valley to about 12,000 feet before we 
could find a suitable camping-ground. The botany was most inter- 
esting, and many new plants were discovered. The whole way down 
to Gudhai on the Gilgit Road the scenery in this valley is very fine. 
It is richly wooded in parts, the chief trees being excelsa^ Jum, 
perus excelsa^ and willows. We passed afew small villages, the most 
important of which is Bobin ; its elevation is a little over 1 1,000 feet. 
Some fine nullahs open into this valley on either side. At about 
10.000 feet Karbe Village is passed. Near here I came across a number 
of Commissariat coolies, mostly Punjabis, cutting grass for the Gilgit 
Transport animals. 
From here there is rather a steep descent to the Burzil Valley. 
The two rivers join close to Gudhai, the elevation of which is about 
9.000 feet. 
