国立情報学研究所 - ディジタル・シルクロード・プロジェクト
『東洋文庫所蔵』貴重書デジタルアーカイブ

The pass Takbur-la, 5,066m. (16,616 feet) high, is situated in the little range
which separates the Chaktak-tsangpo from its left tributary Sa-chu, and which I had
crossed a few days before; further east is Gyäbuk-la, only 4,823m. (15,819 feet)
high; further west it has two other passes, Sering-la and Lamlung-la.
The view from Takbur-la reaches far, and it was a pity that just here I had
no guide. To the N.W. some high snowy peaks were seen, the Lunpo-gangri, which
I should approach, a year later, from the north. To the N.38°W. a low part was
seen in the mountains, which I suspected to be the valley of Chaktak-tsangpo. A
range with some snow, culminating in N.29°W. appeared to be the continuation of
the Lunpo-gangri. To the N.19° and 13°W. were two low peaks belonging to a
black group, Shinchen, on the northern side of Sa-chu. To the north and N.N.E.
was a high range with eternal snow on several peaks, the highest in N.1°E., belonging
to the Kanchung-gangri.
Takbur-la is situated in quartzitic sandstone. The valley which from the pass
goes down N.N.W. is first broad, and falls in curious rounded terraces or steps,
each 4 or 5m. high. Then it becomes narrower and is bounded by hills. At a
place called Karkong-sumdo, with 2 tents, the valley joins the Lamlung coming down
from the Lamlung-la. The joint valley, called Karkong, then becomes fairly large,
especially after receiving the great Shepuk valley from the right or east. A part of
the valley has an extraordinary formation, viz. a long narrow ridge, 8 or 10m. high,
and 10m. broad on its top, on which the road runs; there are brooks on both sides
of this little ridge; lower down the joint brook follows the right side of the valley.
Quartz and green schist prevail. The pasture is excellent and many hundred yaks
were grazing in the Karkong valley.
Finally the road turns to the right over a last projecting ridge, from which
one has a splendid view over the Sa-chu valley with its great plains and its surrounding
moderate mountains. To the N.85°E. and S.89° E. two culminating peaks of the
Chomo-uchong massive are visible. Four tents were pitched in this tract of the
plain. Passing them our road crosses the plain diagonally to the E.N.E.; the Sa-chu
now contained only half a cubic metre of water. At its northern side is Saka-dsong,
the principal place of the province of the same name, consisting of a few huts and
tents and a little gompa. The height is 4,616m. (15,140 feet).
From Saka-dsong to Nyuku Nain Sing followed the tasam or highroad;
Ryder and Rawling's expedition went in two parties, one along the tasam, the
other south-westwards to the great Tsangpo. To avoid known country I took a
northern road amongst the mountains. Only the first day I had to follow the same
way as the two earlier expeditions.
This road follows the foot of the northern mountains, consisting of green schist
and quartz. To our right is the broad and open valley of the Sa-chu with its right
side terrace and its meandering course; sometimes the river-bed forces the road to
keep to the slopes. At Upa-tang the Sa-chu flows in one single bed. The fall is