OF SOUTH-FAfiT SlKKJM, 
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bearings. This bonndaiy ridge is l)leak and barren, and is avoided by 
the shepherds. The tracks of these men tend to keep to the long valley 
bottoms, working up from Gangtok and the Lachung valley, and crossing 
the intervening ridges as seldom as possible. Tt is comparaf ively easy 
to visit any of the passes if the valley roules are followed, l)ut to cross 
from pass to pass along the boundary is very difficult and not advisable 
with laden men, though the heights are not great as compare<l with 
'those in other parts of Sikkim. As elsewliere it is the Rhododendron 
scrub which deters one from attempting a])parent short cuts from one 
valley to the next. 
Dikciiu Valley and Chaiimago. 
Returning on the 19th to Changu we arranged our collections and 
made preparations for the journey to the Dikehu valley. The slight 
track above the bungalow leads over the ridge which rises to above 
13,000 feet, and there follows a dip into a valley with a fairly large 
stream, as far as I could find out, without name. Then comes a long 
ascent to 14^,000 feet to a long ridge which is much favoured by the 
shepherds, as several of their ^ g6ts ^ were found there. One or two 
stone huts are on the ridge, a sign that it has been for long a regular 
summer station of these men. Primula IVaitii was here fairly abundant. 
Beyond was dense Rhododendron forest sloping steeply to the Dikehu. 
This stream in the rains is a rapid torrent even at 12.000 feet and the 
temporary bridge erected by the shepherds is a rickety structure of poles 
without handrail and forms an utipleasant hazard in the day^s march, 
especially when a lieavy show(T brings it level with the water. After 
crossing we ascended the right bank to Chamnago, where we camped 
about 12,500 feet. The ground is everywhere a temporary marsh at 
this season but the traveller will find a convenient triangle of ground 
for a camp just where the stream forks. 
The valley is much narrower than the Nathui La valley with very 
precipitous sides. The road is merely a track which a moment'^s 
inadvertence is sufficient to lose. Abies IFehbiana is the common tree. 
Except Juniper I saw no other conifers. The next day we ascended the 
Chola by the narrow steep path. There is little grazing ground. Above 
13,000 feet, the path is very rocky. The pass is 14^,700 feet high, 
slightly higher than the Nathui La and with similar vegetation. 
On the following day we descended the Dikehu to Fieungong 
Lilium roscum was found sparingly. The 24th w^as given to the ascent 
of the Yakla. Rain fell all day and the march was eminently disagree- 
able, about a score of swmllen streams having to be forded. Botanically 
none of these passes are w'orth a special visit as the hills in the vicinity 
