Lady Hillary Returns From Himalayan Visit

Press, Volume C, Issue 29480, 5 April 1961, Page 14

Lady Hillary Returns From Himalayan Visit

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, April 4. Lady Hillary arrived back in Auckland by air today from "a short Himalayan jaunt” determined to return to the Himalayas at the opportunity. “It is marvellous country,” she said. "I really am determined to go back there again for a thorough look around. The scenery is marvellous, and the Sherpas are wonderful people.” With five other women climbers, including Mrs June Mulgrew, wife of a New Zealand member of Sir Edmund Hillary's expedition, Lady Hillary made a 180-mile trek from Katmandu to the base camp of the expedition on the Mingbo glacier. The climb took 18 days, and took the party to 15,500 feet. ‘‘There were no casualties,” said Lady Hillary. “We all made it.” Sir Edmund Hillary accompanied the expedition on the march in, as there were 220 Sherpas and cool-

ies with the party who were carrying in supplies for the second stage of the expedition’s work. Dr. Frederick Moody, of Auckland, who was with the party, left it after the twelfth day, as there was some doubt whether he could be flown out from the base camp back to Katmandu. He flew back by helicopter to make an airline connexion to travel to London. Lady Hillary and her women companions were flown out from the base camp by a light aircraft used by the Red Cross to ferry supplies to Tibetan refugees. The complaint from the Nepalese Government over members of the expedition climbing Ama Dablam came as a complete surprise to the expedition, said Lady Hillary. The whole matter had now been settled by Sir Edmund Hillary, and there was no obstacle in the way of the expedition making its attempt on Makalu without oxygen. Supplies for the attempt were being moved to the assault camps within the next two w’eeks. Lady Hillary was met at the airport by relatives and two of her children, Peter and Belinda. Peter briefly admired two of her souvenirs, a Tibetan guitar and a Buddhist drum.