510 
Notes of a trip from Simla to the Spiti Valley. [No. 5, 
clown into the Spiti valley from the great boundary chain to the 
north; the highest peaks near Geumal attaining a height of 10,206 
feet, the Spiti river but two miles from this point being about 11,000 
feet. 
8 th, Kaja , 12,200 ft. # —Descend into the Spiti valley to Ivaja, a 
wretched village in an arid and stony plain, but with a fair extent of 
cultivation along the river. Great numbers of pigeons are found in 
the neighbourhood. On the open plateau above half way from Gen- 
mal came on a large pitfall constructed in the centre of the path, in 
which in winter animals are sometimes caught, chiefly “ burrel” I 
believe. It was a circular pit with upright sides, about 7 feet deep 
and 15 in diameter. A projecting rim of slates inclining upwards 
and inwards was carried round it, over which the earth from the pit 
was spread and carefully levelled, so as to give the pit the appear¬ 
ance of being a slight rise in the ground and prevent its being seen. 
\ 
An animal coming along the path, in the centre of which this was, 
could hardly fail to fall in ; and, once in, the projecting ledge of slates 
rendered escape impossible. 
9 th, Riba , (Gyilibar apud Cunningham and Kibber of the map) 
A village situated some two miles up from the mouth of the Pari- 
langhi river, at about 13,890 feet. The road passes the village of Ki, 
with its pretty monastery capping a very steep and commanding hil¬ 
lock, and even more picturesque than Danka. The ascent to Kiba 
is in places difficult for quadrupeds, though the road must be bad 
indeed which is impracticable to the hardy and semi-caprine ponies 
of the valley. Kiba is prettily situated on a rocky ridge, beneath 
which a grassy plot affords a convenient camping ground. Near the 
village two piles of stones are passed, ornamented, after the usual 
fashion, with several rough sticks with bits of rag waving from them, 
and the horns of the “ burrel,” numbers of which are killed in winter 
and their horns attached as trophies to piles of stones near the village* 
The same piles are erected at the summit of all the passes, and wel¬ 
come is the sight of these rags, fluttering from many a weather¬ 
beaten stick, to the wearied traveller, as he slowly nears the summit and 
catches sight of them. Nearly opposite the village of Ki (12500 ft.*) 
was a large pile of stones covered with inscribed slabs, which are so 
common in the vicinity of Spiti village. These piles of stones are 
some 4 feet high by 0 broad on an average, and often a hundred feet 
