HIMALAYAS EXPEDITION

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 May 1930, Page 5

HIMALAYAS EXPEDITION

TROUBLE WITH CARRIERS

HARDSHIPS CAUSE DESERTION

[TIMES CABLES.] [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, May 4.

The Kinchinjunga explorers have reached Khunza, by three easy inarches from the foot of the mountain. They have sent a despatch to say that the transport difficulties had been greater than those of the climbing, owing to late winter snowstorms on the low levels. The party reached Khunza through the efforts only of Mr Wood Johnson and their faithful Sirdars and porters.

Fifty Nepalese deserted after a serious blizzard at Dzongri on April 20, thus forcing the abandonment of many of the loads in order to traverse the 7000 ft Kang Pass, the elevation of which, though I,oooft less than Mount Kinchinjunga, had a considerable effect on the lungs, and also caused many severe headaches. Moreover it forced a double march owing to the possibility of another snowstorm. It was a severe test on the porters, who were not provided with boots, which had not been deemed necessary. Their many hours of trudging in the snow damaged even their leathery feet. Hoerlin and Schneider climbed the 19,000 ft Kang Peak, which is' probably the first ascent of this summit. This fine performance on their part heartened the weary porters, many, of whom stumbled into the camp in darkness, they being snowblind despite their goggles. One old man, though his feet were frostbitten, re fused to yield up his load until exhausted. These men’s performance was wonderful. They were carrying 801bs a-piece. Some of the porters with Hannah at Tseram Camp refused to march until they were provided with boots, and all the boots available were sent to them. Later the coolies, seeing the snowclad peaks of the Margir Pass, over which they must go, threatened to strike. Wood Johnston, quelled an ugly disturbance. It was discovered that the trouble was due to agitators, who were weeded out and sent back to Darjeeling. The porters have no grievance, and they receive.their food doily. They also get an issue of cigarettes, and since the agitators’ departure they have been cheerful, despite the deep, soft snow. The Maharajah of Nepal sent a Subahdar, whose arrival ended many troubles. He told the porters that the Maharajah was personally interested in the expedition, and that any trouble makers would be arrested. The Subahdar also provided fifty local coolies, and he disciplined the Headman of Khunza into promising to provide food for .the incoming porters. Plentiful food supplies and equipment essential for the attack on Kinchinjunga, and the leaders of the expedition have now more confidence, as they feel that many important stores, including ruih and whisky, will arrive from the lower levels where they have been delayed. Colonel Tobin has arrived at Yoksan, with seventyfive mule loads of food. Whether he can get them over the Kang and Margin Passes remains to be seen. The expedition has camped amid the magnificent scenery of giant peaks. Duringk their marches, they have had the finest view of ths unexplored Yamatari Valley, at the head of which there are amazing nameless peaks, which are dominated by the 25,300 ft high Mount Jaanu. These peaks looked hopelessly inaccessible, except to the gods that are reputed to dwell on their fairylike summits.