Southern Tibet : vol.4 / Page 537 (Color Image)

0537	Southern Tibet : vol.4

complete circle to reach a suitable passage, allowing the road to descend a bit, or it
proceeds on the top of a clay ridge with deep-cut ravines on both sides. The
majestic *Satlej* is in sight. On a last flat hill to our right, there is a cairn with
poles and rags. Here *Totling-gompa* is visible, like a little square town on the
left bank of the *Satlej*. Just below the monastery, our *Camp CCCCLXXI* was
pitched. The old historical *Tsaprang* was said to be inhabited by only 16 individuals,
most of them occupied with their barley fields. There was a *dsong* which is in
function only two months every winter, and for the rest of the year is placed in
another village. There is a road from *Totling* on the left side of the *Satlej*, passing
by *Tsaprang* and continuing N. W., but it was said to be more difficult than the
one I took on the right side of the river.

On *August 15th*, we travelled 17 km. E. N. E. to the passage of the river,
and thence N. W. to *Camp CCCLXXII*, where the height was 3,746 m. From
our *Totling* camp, we again ascend the terrace on which the *gompa* is situated and
march east and N. E. and finally north down to the bridge. The *Satlej* is here
pressed together in a rocky passage, only about 25 m. broad and very deep-cut in
greyish green or yellowish brown sandstone, where the water is roaring with furious
force. Just below the bridge, the river again becomes broad and more quiet. On
the right bank we turn westwards, along the river, up and down amongst ravines
and small hills of gravel and yellow clay. Here we cross the valley which was said
to come from *Ayi-la*, and which now carried about 5 cub. m. per second of muddy,
yellowish water. With the lowest terrace to our right, we then march in the very bed
of the *Satlej*, where there is space enough for meadows. Finally we leave the *Satlej*,
ascend the terrace, and enter the *Natang* valley, bordered with cañon walls of clay,
sand and pebbles and containing a brook of about 2 cub. m. per second. At a
place with some grass, the camp was pitched. At 1 o'clock p. m., the brook began
to swell to about 20 cub. m. per second, obviously from a heavy rain somewhere in
its upper reaches. Pan. 549, Tab. 105, is a sketch of the *Natang* valley down to
the S. 19° E.

On *August 16th*, we made 16 km. north, gradually ascending from 3,746 m.
to 4,085 m., or 339 m., being a rate of 1:47, or somewhat steeper than along the
southern tributaries, as measured on the road to *Totling*. The first two hours, the
march was difficult; after the rain the clay ground was more like a bath of mud,
and we had, several times, to cross the furrow with its 1 or 2 m. high erosion
terraces; in the bed a brook of very muddy and thick water was winding. The
main valley, from which most of the water came down, was left to our right. The
valley has a very pronounced cañon character and is nearly barren. The slopes
on the sides are very steep, often perpendicular and sculptured in fantastic relief,
resembling more or less detached blocks, pillars, towers and pyramids. From the
41. IV.

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

Citation Information

OCR Text

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

Citation Information

OCR Text

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