HIMALAYAN PEAK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20495, 21 February 1930, Page 13

HIMALAYAN PEAK.

COMING ATTEMPT TO CLIMB. TWENTY YEARS OF PLANNING. (Received February 20, 5.25 p.m.) British Wireless. RUGBY, Feb. 19. The Alpine Ski Club last evening entertained Mr. F. S. Smythe, who has been selected as the British member of the international mountaineering expedition which is to visit the Himalayas shortly. It will attempt tho ascent of Kanchanjanga, the extreme eastern horn of tho Nepal Himalayas, 28,156 ft. high. In replying to the toast of his Tiealth, proposed by Mr. L. S. Amery, ex-Secre-tary of State for tho Dominions, who is an enthusiastic mountaineer, Mr. Smythe said the commander of the expedition, Professor Dyhrengurth, had been planning it for 20 years. He expressed great faith in the organisation and equipment of the expedition. Mr. Smythe said they hoped to secure permission to attack the mountain from the Nepal side and approach it from the east. Sir Martin Conway said they could not expect that above 20,000 ft.. the members would have a very pleasant time. To him Kanchanjanga had the appearance of much . greater difficulty than Mount Everest.

The expedition referred to in the message will be the strongest which has ever visited the Himalayas. It will comprise famous climbers from Germany, Britain, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. Professor Dyhrengurth will be accompanied by his wife, an international tennis player. The party is to sail from Venice on Tuesday. The members will bo mostly young. They will include two geologists and expert cinematographers and cartographers. Most interesting results are hoped for. » The climbers will begin their assault on Kanchanjanga\ the second highest peak in the world, in May, before the monsoon season. They will establish a base at an altitude of 1600 ft., and six camps higher U P- >' .