Hillary’s Attempt On Makalu Abandoned

Press, Volume C, Issue 29526, 30 May 1961, Page 18

Hillary’s Attempt On Makalu Abandoned

(HZf.A -Reutrr—Covynght) KATMANDU. May 29. Sir Edmund Hillary’s expedition has abandoned its bid to climb the 27.790 ft peak of Makalu following two unsuccessful attempts without oxygen, according to reports reaching Katmandu.

The decision was made after two members of the expedition—Peter Mulgrew of New Zealand and Tom Nevison of the United States —were beaten back by bad weather in their attempt on the summit on May 18. Four days earlier a fourman assault team had set out on another attempt, but strong winds made it impossible for them to reach even the camp established at 27000 ft. the reports added. Mulgrew. a sub-lieutenant ti the Royal New Zealand Navy, who went to the South Pole with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1957. is now suffering from frostbite and pneumonia. He and Nevison. a captain

surgeon with the United States Air Force, were reported to have reached withiti “a few feet” of the summit of Makalu before turning back exhausted. Misfortunes The expedition has been hit by a chain of misfortunes in its attempt on Makalu. part of a programme to study the physiological effects of high altitude. Sir Edmund Hillary, conquerer of Everest in May. 1953, himself suffered a mild stroke and had to march out to a lower base to direct the remainder of the expedition's activities by radio. Latest reports say that Peter Mulgrew is in a weak condition.

Caotain Nevison and M ke Ward. British acting leader of the expedition also hav pneumonia, but are reported to be out of danger The three climbers are to be airlifted to Katmandu t>r treatment. Efforts were he'ng made to fly them there today

Another casualty to be a’.r’ifted out for treatment is the Sherpa Ang Temba. who broke his leg in a fall on Makalu.