IN THE HIMALAYAS PALESTINE REPORT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 111, 6 November 1937, Page 26

IN THE HIMALAYAS

PALESTINE REPORT

"Himalayan Assault" is the story of the French Himalayan Expedition .of 1936. The chief interest of this expedition lies in the fact that the Hidden Peak (26,460 ft) in the Karakoram range upon ' which the assault " was made, apart from its size and altitude, presented technical difficulties of a serious and unusual nature. The route from the first 6000 ft above, the Baltoro Glacier follows a steep rocky buttress, the ascent of which cost the party three weeks of continued effort. . A rock climb of such length and severity had perhaps never before been accomplished in the Himalayas. Were it repeated at an Alpine level, the climb would still be recognised as more difficult than many classical ascents, such as the Aiguille Verte over the Moine ridge. In addition to.overcoming the many obstacles in .their way, the climbers had also to make the route practicable for the heavily-laden porters, who had no experience of rock-climbing: 2000 yards, of- rope had to be fixed before the top of the buttress (22,900 ft) was finally reached. No sooner had the party begun the ascent of the : upper icefields than the mons;oon broke, three, weeks ahead, of its normal time,, forcing, them to .turn back as it had forced the 'Everest climbers. The descent was made .in .a blizzard and. proved .exceptionally dan-, gerous. The expedition had the 'support . of. the French and Indian ,Govern 7 ments, and.itis'noteworthy as the first time that F»rance has taken part, in any. of. the • big Himalayan ascents. '■ The book, apart from-accounts of general organisation and the progress ,'of. the expedition, includes important chapters, on special aspects -such .as. High ialtitude,; cinematography' and phptor granhy, geological survey, arid medical reports. ,It also contains a summary of the geography and mountaineering history of . the Himalayas . and Karakp? ram. ■'..,,

'"What Has Been; Happening', in Palestine?" is a little book' by M.' P: Waters, published by Frederick Muller, Ltd. It paints,'in its review of happenings, a' rather gloomy picture, of "a perfectly :^ reasonable and; practical scherhej laid down by a resp'orisibl^ British Cabinet and supported by. successive)' Governments ' fpi: fifteen years, wrecked by maladministration.'1 The author concludes -by stating' that "a very distinguished and conscientious British. .Commission, has taken a. good look at all sides of the. Palestinian problem—and has run away from it."