HILLARY’S PLANS IN HIMALAYAS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27169, 13 October 1953, Page 9

HILLARY’S PLANS IN HIMALAYAS

Delay In Choice Of Peak (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 12. “The Americans have been granted prior permission by the Nepalese Government to climb Makalu, and they are going to send an expedition,” said Sir Edmund Hillary, the leader of a projected New Zealand expedition to the Himalayas, in an interview in London. “At the moment we are seeking permission to tackle one of a number of peaks, and one of our applications has been sent to the Pakistan Government for approval to go to the Karakorams—part of the Himalayas,” he said. “We have no idea when we shall get a decision. It is rather a trying time.” Sir Edmund Hillary said that, in addition to continuing their lecturing programme, he and Mr George Lowe, who was the secretary to the Everest expedition, with an office in the headquarters of the Royal Geographical Society, were also working on the development of equipment. For instance, they had designed what they hoped would be an improve*! version of the large tent used for the lower camps, said Sir Edmund Hillary. “We have never really been happy about this type of tent, which is different from the one used higher up,” he said.

“The large tent is supposed to provide sleeping space for four Europeans or six Sherpas, who don’t take up so much room; but we didn’t find it too comfortable,” said Sir Edmund Hillary. “We combined oUr ideas, and the makers made various modifications. We set up our tent on the lawn of the Royal Geographical Society, and next Wednesday it is to be tried out in a wind tunnel at the Royal Aeronautical Research Station at Farnborough, in Hampshire, to see how it resists very strong wind. We think it is more efficient on a ‘weight per man’ basis. “We have also got a few suggestions on boots. We visited the research institute at Kettering where the boots we used this year, were designed. We suggested modifications such as making the boots more waterproof, with a slightly more rigid sole, which would make them better for climbing, and yet make them retain their warmth. The makers are keen to co-operate with us.

Nylon Ropes “We also visited the factory at Manchester where our nylon ropes were produced, and made a few more suggestions,” said Sir Edmund Hillary. “We found that the new-type nylon ropes were extremely strong, but were rather prone to crinkle. The makers are going to experiment with various types to see whether they can make any improvements. “All this has been useful and valuable, but we want to get permission to climb a definite peak as soon as possible so that we can get to work on things like food and clothing,” Sir Edmund Hillary said. He and Mr Lowe will continue lecturing in England until the middle of November, when they will go to Europe to lecture in France, Belgium, Holland, and Scandinavia. In January. they will go to Switzerland, and then to the United States, where they will lecture during February. They hope to return to New Zealand from America about the middle of March. Mr Lowe is being kept busy as secretary of the Everest expedition. He is assembling 4000 photographs taken during the ascent, having them titled and filed, making lecture arrangements, and answering a spaterof letters. Sir Edmund' Hillary said his wife was busy with many engagements, and added: ’'She is enjoying it tremendously."