FAITHLESS TIGERS.

Northern Advocate, 27 June 1924, Page 5

FAITHLESS TIGERS.

EVEREST CLIMBERS LET DOWN,

PORTERS LOSE' HEART.

(Receive 1 12.35 p.m.)

LONDON, June 20.

Colonel Norton, of the Everest' expedition, in a despatch dated June B^from a camp at a height of 21,000 feet, east of Rongbr.k G-laeier, relates that the almost superhuman difficulties of the final assault, especially the' demeanour of the native porters, were enough to '•daunt vhe,ho.rdiesl spirits. It had been olr.jady decided to modify the original plans owing to the moraland physical exhaustion of the native parters. It wns anticipated that few w»>ulcVhave bc"en available to assist the climbers above 23,000 feet and that the climbers would discard oxygen for at least two attempts, to reach the summit, sleeping two nights on the mountain above 23,000. feet; The weather, (V.onel Norl-on states,was then almost perfect. The peak stood out clear cut in an azure sky. Symptoms of the monsoon had disappeared, but the explorers knew the monsoon might at any moment burst with full force. Fifteen.picked porters, distinguished by the name "Tigers," werrj assembled, and the staj.c was set for the final attempts, the weather continuing perfect. Mi* Mr.lloTy, General Bruce and nine Tigers established camp on ihe North Col on June 1, and began the ascent, ot i the <rree.t north -idge o> June 2■ in I | order to establish Camp No o. But sud- ' denlv a bitter n >rtli-west wind nearly blew the porters off their feet. Progress was one long fight against the wind and' the aliitude, sometimes on rock, sometimes on snow at m angle of 43 degrees. It was hoped to establish Camp No. 5 on the sheltered side of the ridge at 25,300 feet. The endurance of the porters began to fli'g, and only four reached the camp. The remaining fiv dropped their burdens. General Bruce and one j Tiger were forced to make several trips :to brln.'T up the stores. White- men can- | not carry loads a 1 these altitudes Math immunity, and it is scarcely to be wonj dere<V at that General Brace's heart j was -strained, though happily only torni porarily. Thus Camp No. "> was finally established. Three picked porters were retained the remainder being sent b.ick. Obviously everything depended upon the morale and the physical condition of thcv>e three men. Gener.i.l Bruce's persuasive powers faded to arouse tiieir enthusiasm for to-morrow's task. The wind seemed to have kiMed their spirits. On the iu.mtow it was intended to make an earlv start, bui while prej paring breakfast the leaders obtained the most unweleo:t.e newi; that only one porter was fit to proceed. The other two professed to be sick aid totally unable to carry leads. It was fairly evident that the three porters had shot their bolt, so after a brief consultation it was decided to return to camp No. 4 and consider plans for a further att?mpt. This despatch covers the movements of the expedition just prior to Mr Mallory and Mr Irvine starting on their fatal attempt for the summit.— j Time?.