1954 Journal April 7 Baram River Valley, 4 mi S.W. of Makalu, elev. 15,000 ft., Nepal. Timberline (of firs & Rhododendron) is at about 13,500 ft., so this locality is all above. The longest plant life is the occasional low (1-1½ ft high) Juniperus shrub; another low shrub is more common but smaller. There is dry glass & moss covering much of the ground. Some snow on the N-facing slopes, but the S & W-facing slopes are free of snow & the soil (or sand in many places) is quite dry. The river bottom is laid among granite boulders and the valley bottom is ¼ - 1 mile broad & level in this very recently glaciated region. The river here has little water in it due to the cold which prevails throughout the day (day time ten- peratures averaged 28°F + minimums have been about 15° F during the last several days). This valley is surrounded by snow covered peaks on all sides, peaks from 20,000 - 28,000 ft in height. During the past week mornings have been clear, but by 12:00 - 2:00 P.M., skies are overcast & invariably a slight snow falls which melts on the ground the next morning. Apparently, judging from ground scats, this region is heavily grazed by goats & yaks later in the season. Now,