SCALING EVEREST.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 224, 20 September 1921, Page 5

SCALING EVEREST.

UNFORGETABLE SUNRISE. MIGHTY GLACIERS—GARDENS OF ASTERS. I.OX DON". Sopternl>er f). The following dispatch, dated Kharta, August 17, lias been received from the Ml. Kverest Expedition: — We are continuing ta investigate and map the eastern valleys of the approach to Mt. Everest. Kliarta is 20 miles east from there. The peasants have a very vague knowledge of the nieans of approach, but they advised us to cross the ■passes Wnd strike a valley leading up the mountain. Mr. Bullock and Mr. Mallory left on August 2, and Colonel Howard Bi.Ty two days later. The path up the KliartaTsingpo Valley for s-even imile.s is dotted with villages and monasteries, and skirted with 'barley 3ft hijrli.

We reached the summit of Langmala. IS.OOO feet high, the scene from which wj very beautiful. Three inigflitCy glaciers were sweeping down 4000 feet below.

Advancing, we descended to grasjy uplands, covered with gentians and mauve asters. The mist then lifted, revealing the unforgctable beauty of the sunrise on the marvellous cliffs of Makalu, 2T.SO()ft. and Mt. Everest itself. This valley was green with junipers, willows, and mountain ash, ice and snow coming down and meeting the green vegetation,

From the valley. Makalu is more beautiful and more striking than Everest. its gigantic cliffs drop ] 100 ft on each side. They are perpendicular cliffs of black rock,' anil so steep that the snow and ice are unable to lodge.

We are now ascending the valley to hjverest. We crossed grassy pastures here, and »t IVthan-Cirinjrmo, l(i,4ooit, found shepherds and herds of yaks.

On August HI Mr. Bullock and Mr. Mallory. vlio had gone forward, and the next morning Colonel Howard Bury, explored the spur opposite Everest and reached 10,-tOO/t. They seewed a most glorious panorama ot Everest, standing up Mil front, of very formidable clilTs, descending in a sheer drop of 2000 ft on to glaciers, about whioli were hanging

All day we heard the roar of great pieces of ice breaking oil" from then? and crashing into the Kanjrslning (Ilacier

Mr. Ilullork and Mr. Mallory decided that it. was impoKsib'e to ascend Everest. from the wwi : they have now returned, and are exploring tlie Kharta Tsinspo \ alley, foKowing Unit river to its source Colonel Howard Bi.ry is examining the vaileys round Makalu. meeting forests of silver fir ami juniper, with lichens hanging from every bough, wild roses and most luxuriant vegetation \ singular feature here is the number of lakes, whereas they are most rare in the Himalayas.

Colonel Howard Bury returned to Kharta. when Mr. Morshead has now set out to help Mr. Mallory and Mr. Bullock m the Kharta Tsingpo Valley.