77 there were still at least two other ranges which had to be crossed before we could hope to reach more comfortable ground. The black range had the same stretching as the latter or N. N. E.—S. S. W., and so have probably also those east of it. We were obviously ascending a system of ranges tolerably parallel to the corresponding parts of the Kwen-lun System which, to the north of our region runs S. W.—N. E. The same stretching is also seen with Lake Markhavn and the ranges surrounding it. It is impossible to say if we, by making a round-about way to the north or south, would have been able to avoid the system of ranges we crossed between Camps XLII and XL VII. It seems to be most likely that we crossed a system that continues to the W. S. W. and to the E. N. E. and afterwards east, and thus is situated south of Wellby's route. This system of ranges towers up at a relatively more considerable height above the general surface of the plateau-land. The small valleys and watercourses eroding it in all directions are also more deep-cut and energetic than in the flat regions we had left behind.
In the middle of the valley that goes to the lake, there is a broad watercourse with a 2 m. high erosion terrace at the left or eastern side, along which a little brook, which is mostly frozen, is flowing. At the right or western terrace there is a brook from springs. In its center, the bed is comparatively most elevated, and the erosion, which in summer may be active, goes on along the side terraces.
On the other side of the valley that goes to the lake, we again ascended and moved up in the valley of a tributary which had cut its bed 8 m. deep. The rock was here greenish grey sandstone. The valley receives tributaries from both sides, and all of them, although insignificant, contain water or ice. The region is high-alpine. There is some grass, some yak-grass and moss, small pools of water between tussocks of grass, and a good deal of gravel. This kind of ground is very tiring, especially as it rises slowly to a flat pass with some snow on its top and ice-sheets at its base. The whole region must be a quagmire in summer, very difficult of access. Now everything was frozen. A little farther on, Camp XLIV was pitched at an elevation of 5,346 m., in a trough, surrounded by mountains on all sides. The watercourses from them gathered in a brook which seemed to be directed to the south and probably then turned S. W. to the lake. The region was very inhospitable, so much the more so as a heavy snowfall began at 7 o'clock p. m. hiding the poor grazing still to be found at this great height.
Pan. 56, Tab. 9 from Cain, XLIV shows us, from the N. N. E. to south the dark continuous range stretching N. N. E.S. S. W., which we had had in sight for two or three days. On the panorama it does not seem to be very high, but at these altitudes and for a dying caravan it is very hard. Straight to the east the saddle which we used is visible. The one N. 73° E., situated just to the left of it, was perhaps a little lower, but lay out of our course.
IIIFカラー高解像度
