EVEREST EXPEDITION

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 140, 14 June 1924, Page 16

EVEREST EXPEDITION

MOST COMPLETE OUTFIT EVEE COLLECTED. . ( - ; ' ■' '

Considering that "the objective of the Everest expedition this spring is a peak attaining a' height of 29,002 feet, it will readily be understood that even on Indian altitudes Arctic conditions may prevail, writes M. D. Adamson- in the "Daily Mail." Stores of Alpine climbing rope are therefore being taken. This is .divided futo 200 ft 'lengths, and at certnin parts of the ascent these lengths will be looped to Wooden pitons resembling cricket stumps, previously placed up to their necks in holes specially drilled for them in the ice.

■ Talc lanterns of collapsible pattern, web and metal sick-carriers, anti-glare snow goggles, nails for snow-boots, weather-proofed woollen mitts, felt-cov-ered cylindrical water-bottles of special pattern, cooking materials) and compressed fuel are among the miscellaneous needs. Medical stores have to be taken; and the problem of oxygen is one which has required no small ammintof attention, although it is hoped that during this attack its use will be deferred' to a later phase in the operations. The sleeping-bags are lined witha special flannel and look snug. Interlined with doivnproof fabric are green rot-proof ribbed drill ■ portable mattresses stuffed with Java kapok, whilo thick, warm, fleecy, draught-proof red arid black Hudson Bay blankets complete the' sleeping stuff. Securely padlocked air-tight chests contain the foodstuffs. These chests weigh 401b each #wheu packed.

( One of the most interesting items is the Knac bread from ■Copenhagen. This looks like very thick circular oatcakes 14 inches in diameter. There are tinned sausages, little tinned Swiss cream cheeses, tinned herrings, and tinned soup. Maconochie there is too—thei vegetable and meat ration which became famous during the. war. Iron rations will be carried, but these will be used only in grave emergencies, as • when nny of tfie members of the party are separated from main supplies and the separation is likely to continue. Included are tins of'pemmican—a highly/.sustaining concentrated food, consisting of albumen and fibrine of beef, specially prepared for use in cold regions. Room is fgund for sealed hams; and there are boxes of milk chocoL late studded with almonds.