102 Abode of Gods'
The deep cleft of the Goriganga, through which we pass on
this route, really takes us beyond the great chain of snowy peaks-
into the tract on the farther side. At one point on the road,
not far from the village of Martoli, a glorious view is obtained
of Nanda Devi (25,600 ft.)-
The whole stupendous mass of the mountains rises before the
eyes, like a huge dome in the sky, where every single black rock
jutting out of the snowy vesture clearly outlined, and the vast-
peak towering into mid heaven.
At Millam, the valley is wider, with the glacial river flowing.
at the bottom, and surrounded by high hills, some of which are
crowned with snow, affording pasturage to a few flocks of hardy
sheep. As we proceed ahead on the road to Millam the vegetation
is very scanty, though potatoes are grown near the village. At
Burphu and Tota, the Tibetan God Lamsal is worshipped. The
people fell a large tree, and carrying it to an open space fix it in
the ground and make it firm with three ropes. Strips of cloth-
with every description are then fastened to every portion. Near'
Millam flocks of white pigeons fly frequently.
Millam
Millam is a village of stone huts. There are still some rem-
nants of ancient worksmanship, particularly on the wood. There
are remains of an old fort also.
• Millam glacier is very large. Here we met famous geologist,
Mr. K. S. Waldia and party. We marched into Millam glacier
and walked over the ice debris for considerable distance, till we
arrived at the foot of the Hardeoyal peak.
Trek to Kingri Bingri
From Millam we can go to Kingri-Bingri Pass (17,000ft.)1
from where one can see the Mansarovar lake in Tibet.
I trekked from Millam to Dung over thick snow. I had to
undertake one trip upto Dung (14,000 ft.). This strip was full of
thrill, excessive risk and involved trekking over hazardous freshly
fallen snow. In fact even the route from Millam to Dung was in-
utterly bad shape. Somehow, with great difficulty we reached
Dung, carrying loads of ration for the jawans. It was a memor-
able trip over continuous sheet of snow for nearly 16 kilometres.