The "Snowman" Puzzle

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 66, 10 December 1938, Page 1 (Supplement)

The "Snowman" Puzzle

Mention of the Abominable Snowman in an article about the Mt. Everest Expedition, urges me to write this letter, states a correspondent to "The Times.” I have had fresh news of our Abominable friend from a reliable source in India.

Before quoting from my correspondent’s letter, I must explain that the place where he saw the familiar tracks is the extreme head of the Zemu glacier (the largest glacier in Sikkim), at a height of more than ll),O(M)ft.

To appreciate the importance of tins evidence, I must add that it is inconceivable that the movements of any climbing party in Sikkim should remain unknown.

My friend writes: “When Pasang and I went up to the Zemu Gap there were distinct tracks up the’ final slope on the Zemu side.’ At the time I presumed they were the tracks of the German party whom we had met at Laohen, and who had spent six weeks on the glacier before us. We saw their tracks on Nepal Peak. I have, however, just received a copy of their book, from which it is clear that they never went to the Gap at all. What on earth is the explanation?" To my mind the answer is obvious - by the Abominable Snowman. The writer implies that this hitherto uncrossed pass was crossed by ’someone who forgot to mention the fact. No one who swallows that can afford to mock at those who, like myself, believe in the existence of what my scientific friends might call homo niveus disgustans—or should it be odiosus?