Southern Tibet : vol.4 / Page 396 (Color Image)

0396	Southern Tibet : vol.4

and blocks that had given way and fallen down, quite filling up the narrow space.
Here we could have forced our way. But a short distance farther on, a similar fall
of rocks had taken place which could not be traversed without straining the forces
of our animals too hard. And still higher up, my scouts reported the valley to be
absolutely impracticable. This seems to be a characteristic feature of all the valleys
which go from the northern Kara-korum Range to the S. W. and join the Shayok,
and probably they become more and more difficult farther south. To them belongs
the Chang-chenmo valley, though this is strong enough to break through the whole
range. We had to return, and camped at a height of 4,995 m.
The next day we returned down the valley and camped at a place where
some grass was found. Camp CCLXXXV had a height of 4,880 m. The
minimum temperature had been —34.8°. At this camp, we let the animals have
one day's rest. The next night the sky was cloudy, and the minimum temperature
only —17.2°.
On December 23rd, we returned to Burtse and continued up the main valley
to Kisil-unkur, Camp CCLXXXVI, where the height is 5,128 m., or 320 m. above
Burtse. The distance from the latter place is 14.4 km., and the rise, therefore, as
1 : 45. The day was cloudy and a strong wind was blowing, though it is difficult
to tell from where in these narrow valleys.
Our direction is N. N. W. The valley is full of gravel and some snow; ice
appears only higher up. The mountains at the sides are wild and rocky. A small
glacier is seen at the right side of the valley; another had already been passed on
the left side, south of Burtse. The talus of debris at both sides is steep. The
valley makes a sharp bend to the east. Beyond it the wind grew to a storm and
came from the south. The snow-patches in the valley are hidden and covered with
fine red dust; only higher up the slopes, the snow is white and clear. Clouds of
dust and dry snow are whirling up the valley. The country is absolutely barren,
since Camp CCLXXXV we had seen no grass. Several side valleys open both
from the left and right. Two of them are considerable. The main valley finally
becomes as narrow as a gorge, between hills of loose material, and in the bed,
there is ice. My Ladakis asserted that here somewhere was the place which is
called Daulet Bek-öldi after a well-known historical event. The name of the place
where we camped in this narrow valley was called Kisil-unkur.
On December 24th, our march continues N. E. for 15.4 km. From Kisil-unkur
the direction is north and the distance to the Dapsang Pass of the northern Kara-
korum Range is 4 km. The ascent on this stretch is from 5,128 m. to 5,428 m.
or 300 m., being at a rate of 1 : 13.3. On the other, or Chang-tang side, we have
11 km. to Camp CCLXXXVII, where the height is 5,227 m. or a fall of 201 m.,
being a rate of 1 : 54.7. The slope up to the pass from the regions having an

National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

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National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

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National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books