3-065-574 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Mission to Yarkund: crossing the Shayok below the Khardung Pass, 1874. Engraving of a sketch by Captain E. F. Chapman '...of the journey of Mr. Forsyth's diplomatic mission to Yarkund and Cashgar...they proceeded...into the valley of the Nubra and the Shayok...to the foot of the Karakorum mountain range...Our Illustration shows the party, after crossing the Kardung, when descending the glacier by which they entered the Shayok valley, at an elevation of 10,000 ft. For this descent...they had to change their ponies for yaks, or Tibet oxen, the safest beasts for riding down a glacier - stolid creatures that positively decline to be hurried...The beasts were pulled and encouraged up the steep zigzag by ragged Tartars, whose constant cry of "Oitch-kok-kok-kok!" proved that their practised lungs were not affected by the thinness of the air. As for the European travellers, their breathing was considerably affected by this circumstance, from the altitude of the position. There was great fear that the baggage would be drenched and spoiled, but the yaks faced the water bravely, and the Tartars...did not hesitate to plunge in up to their waists, though it was nearly at freezing temperature. So they managed to carry everything safely over'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.