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0147 Sand-Buried Ruins of Khotan : vol.1
Sand-Buried Ruins of Khotan : vol.1 / Page 147 (Color Image)

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doi: 10.20676/00000234
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Considering the height above us, the selection of a suitable
spot for a camp seemed all-important. From where the yaks
had brought us nothing was to be seen but a broad slope of
snow fringed on its southern edge by precipitons cliffs falling
towards the glacier. In order to make sure of the chances
for camping higher up I despatched the two Hunza levies on
a reconnaissance. They were to examine the conditions of the
snow, and to look out for some shelter in the rocks which
might enable us to pass a night at a greater elevation,
eventually without tents. I myself remained behind to use
the comparatively clear weather for work with the photo-
theodolite. The clouds that were gathering and the high
wind that sprang up were a warning not to lose time.

The view which the place of my halt offered, and part of
which is shown by the photograph reproduced on p. 96, was
grand indeed. It comprised to the west range after range of
the Pamirs, from the distant peaks of Wakhan far away to the
Alai mountains. The mountains lining the valley below me
on the west seemed nowhere higher than my place of observa-
tion, for which the hypsometer reading indicated 16,820 feet.
From the same point splendid views were obtained up and
down the Yambulak Glacier. Compressed between mighty
walls of rock the stream of ice seemed in a state of petrified
convulsion. From its highest point where its firn filled the
space between the twin peaks of Muztagh-Ata down to the
opening of its rock-bound gorge, the glacier displayed a
bewildering maze of huge crevasses. Their greenish depths
contrasted vividly with the spotless white of the snow-crust
that covered the surface of the ice. Opposite to us rose the
almost perpendicular wall of rock which faces the great ridge
ascending straight to the southern and highest peak of
Muztagh. Above this rock-wall there showed the thick ice
of the glacier-mantle covering that side of the mountain.

Though the sun was hidden only for short periods by light
clouds, it felt cold enough in the strong breeze. So it took