MASS CLIMB UP ICY MOUNTAIN

Evening Star, Issue 22194, 23 November 1935, Page 7

MASS CLIMB UP ICY MOUNTAIN

One of the most dangerous peaks in the Pamir Mountains, Central Asia—the mountain group known as the Roof of the World, because of its great height—has been climbed by a detachment of 300 Red Army officers and men. Their feat, which took more than six days, constitutes a world record for “ mass mountaineering.” Trapetsia (19,520 ft) is the peak which has been conquered. Precipices and glaciers made the task more difficult, and in some 1 places the soldiers had to climb almost vertical slopes. For six days they “ marched ’’ up t.h* mountainside. Then they made a final camp in the snow some 2,560 ft below the summit. After a rest they began-a final spurt, which, in seven hours, brought them to the mountain top. They climbed tliis last lap at the rate of 6ft a minute. The cavalry squadron, which, accompanied the mountaineering detachment part of the way, performed an equally outstanding feat. In spite of the low temperature, rarefied air, very dangerous road, and considerable weight of their packs, they rode 620 miles over steep mountain slopes. Not a . single horse was lost, not a single horseman, lagged behind. This ride led them to the Akbaital Pass, the highest mountain pass in the Soviet Union. After a short rest they crossed the pass oh foot.—Reuter.