1936 - 1937 Mission Diary

The official diary of the Gould mission to Lhasa sent by the British government. Read more about the mission diary.

Saugang, 13,000 ft. 15 miles.

see photographs below

A quick and easy ride brought us to Saugang. The valley is still fairly open, but the bounding hills are higher leading up to permanent snow in places. For 2 or 3 miles we passed through a gorge known as "Red Idol" Gorge from the numerous carved and coloured Bas relief idols usually carved on large isolated rocks, with walls and lintel over to protect them from the weather.

There is now more cultivation and good- irrigation along the river valley.

Our broadcast wireless set, set going at 6 A.M. by Nepean and Dagg caused great excitement amongst the Tibetan transport drivers who collected in a crowd outside their tent.

In considering the possibilities of aerodromes or landing grounds, none of which exist north of Kala, the possible use of the numerous large lakes on the Tibetan Plateau should be borne in mind, if sea planes with floats are available and able to climb to, land at, and take off at these altitudes. The Bam Tso, and the Kala Tso would appear to be quite suitable, when not frozen over.

Author: Philip Neame [see handwritten annotations in Diary by Hugh Richardson in MS. Or. Richardson 2, Bodleian Libary, Department of Oriental Collections, University of Oxford]

Page Reference: Pt II p.4