Peking to Lhasa : vol.1 / Page 341 (Color Image)

0341	Peking to Lhasa : vol.1

THE END 257

had to cross a ford over the Asei-Yindu Chu

(the Ho Chu), 15 yards wide and 1 foot deep,

flowing in a direction 120°. The elevation here

was about 12,500 feet. Then there was some

steep climbing up grassy, stony valley to the Lu-mu La, 15,152 feet, at 12/ miles. This is on

the Ho Chu-Yalung divide. They were here in

the midst of snowy peaks. One range continues

south as the divide. Another side range runs

north-east with the gigantic Na-shi peak, just to the east of the pass, perhaps 20,000 feet high.

Leaving the pass the path leads down a valley

between high ranges to Raji-sumdo camp, 13,337

feet.

The end was now very close at hand. This is

the last entry in the diary, though he continued

to make the map right up to the last. He seemed

to be better on the 18th, and even on the 19th

he said he had enjoyed his breakfast of biscuits,

milk and a little jam. And each evening he

worked out his map immediately after arrival in

camp. On that morning Dr. Thompson took a

thermos with hot chocolate in case they might be

delayed at the Kanze ferry. They now rapidly

descended towards the Yalung River. But about

noon Pereira had a sudden attack of abdominal

pain and got off his pony and lay down. Thompson

covered him with rugs and sent the transport on

to cross the river. They were now at about 10,000 feet altitude, and it was much warmer,

with no snow on the ground.

After fifty minutes' rest and taking some hot

chocolate he seemed easier. And as they were

only about 2 miles from the Yalung and 4 miles

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