MEREST EXPEDITION WILL TRY AGAIN

Northern Advocate, 11 July 1936, Page 7

MEREST EXPEDITION WILL TRY AGAIN

LESSONS LEARNED IN LAST ATTEMPT [United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright .] (Received 10 t a.m.) LONDON, July 9. A copyright message from Mr Hugh Ruttledge, leader of the British Everest Expedition, at Darjeeling', reads as follows: “The outstanding lesson learned by the expedition is that, • unfortunately, meteorological science cannot forecast far ahead. The early indications were normal and to the effect that the monsoon could be expected between June 10 and 15; Actually, however, it arrived on May 24. The final effort to ascend the west sic je of the main Rongbuk Glacier gives reason for the belief that, in good conditions, this route would be more feasible and safer than the east side of the North Col, but heavy snow prevented complete examination. It has been an honorur to serve with this party, which struggled to the bitter end against heavy odds, risked all to ascertain the limits of possible efforts and then accepted defeat without bit-

terness. •- rphe climbers proved that the east cide of the North Col must be left alone when the monsoon arrives, but the west will be worth an attempt early on the next attack. Possibly it can be used even after the monsoon has begun. We must realise that n some yeai’S, such as this, the mountain is unapproachable. “Contact with another expedition appears to have engendered an even friendlier attitude on the part of Tibetan officials and the people of the country. We must not give up, but must hope for permission to try again.”