218 IN TIBET AND CHINESE TURKESTAN.
due east of Gombaz, I was able to identify some of the peaks observed the previous winter from the west end of Raskam, as well as Muz Tagh Ata, and another very prominent peak fixed by the Pamir Boundary Commission. I spent a whole day in trying to observe the Raskam peaks from a station on the opposite side of the valley. After struggling through many difficulties I reached, about 4 p.m., a position which appeared suitable, and had the theodolite unpacked and set up, but, to my intense annoyance, I found it impossible to distinguish the pillar I had erected at the first station. The magnetic bearing of this pillar I did not know, and its colour was so similar to that of the mountain-side where it stood, that my prolonged efforts to identify the spot were unsuccessful. It was with vexation that I packed up the instruments, hung them over the back of the yak, and hurried towards the camp, which I did not reach till long after dark. I meant to resume the search next day, but was prevented by a fall of snow, and had to content myself with a lower site, from which I had a good view of Muz Tagh Ata, about sixty miles distant. The bases at the camp formed an equilateral triangle with sides about six miles long, and by means of observations taken from the three angular points, two values were obtained for the height of this majestic mountain, 24,402 feet and 24,403 feet, which agreed very closely with the 24,380 feet obtained the previous winter from a station near Mazar Sultan. These results being considered satisfactory, the Superintendent of the Trigonometrical Branch of the Survey of India determined to accept 24,400 feet as the height of Muz Tagh Ata.
At this camp I anxiously looked for the arrival of -Ram
Singh. Islam, who had been sent from Yarkand to meet 5
him, had fallen ill, and had been unable to intercept him and shorten his journey. I sent a party of men with
IIIF Color HighRes
