46o ACROSS TIBETAN PLATEAUS CH. xcty
or five, it was an imposing and beautiful sight (Fig. 332). Its hues ranged from light green to purple, and the relatively low but very bold range which stretched along its south shore, being entirely covered by fresh snow, provided a most effective setting. Hypsometrical readings gave a height of close on 16, i oo feet for the lake.
Towards the middle of the day's march we passed clearly recognizable old moraines in a valley stretching down from a side spur which was now quite clear even of snow. A line of big ice-worn boulders showed that the longest of the peninsulas projecting into the lake was but a continuation of those moraines. So at some period glaciers from the north must have pushed their tongues right into the lake. The latter, with its glorious colours and numerous bays and inlets, looked most inviting for a cruise. But the solitude of its waters and shores was complete.
From a broad plateau crossed after thirteen miles' march a splendid view spread before us to the north and north-east. The line of great snowy peaks above the Yurung-kash and Keriya River sources rose in a grand amphitheatre, distant but none the less impressive. The spurs descending from it, for twelve to fifteen miles from the lake showed slopes singularly easy. Broad valleys stretched up between, in striking contrast to the tortuous deep-cut gorges which separate the spurs descending from the same range northward to the Yurung-kash. The higher slopes were all under snow, but no glaciers were to be seen. Altogether it was evident that the natural obstacles to the detailed exploration of the watershed range would be far less from this side. But, alas ! our supplies and the strength of our animals were limited, and we could not linger.
A speedy passage to the Kara-kash drainage was now urgent. So it was reassuring when from that plateau we sighted the western end of the lake, and could recognize beyond it the commencement of a depression which seemed likely to open to us the hoped-for route westwards. In the wide valley to which we then descended there were extensive patches of coarse grass, and herds of wild yaks and asses could be seen grazing higher up. Brilliant
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