HIMALAYAN CLIMBERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20556, 6 May 1930, Page 11

HIMALAYAN CLIMBERS.

PROGRESS OF PARTY.

TRANSPORT DIFFICULTIES.

IMPEDED BY SNOWSTORMS.

FIFTY NATIVES DESERT.

OTHERS BRAVE ORDEAL.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright

(Received May 5, fi.ls p.m.) Times Cable. LONDON, May 4

The Kanchenjunga explorers have reached Khunza, which is three easy marches from the foot of tho mountain. Despatches state that transport difficulties wore greater than climbing, owing to tho late winter snowstorms on the low levels.

The party only reached Khunza through the efforts of Mr. Wood Johnson, the Darjceling tea planter who joined the expedition at Delhi in March, and tho faithful sirdars and porters.

Fifty Nepalese deserted after a serious blizzard at Dzongri on April 20. This made it necessary to abandon many loads in order to traverse the 7000 ft. Ivang Pass. The elevation of this is 11,000 ft. less than that of Kanchenjunga, but it had a considerable effect on tho lungs of tho explorers. Also, it caused many severe headaches.

Moreover, the party was compelled to mako a double inarch owing to the possibility of another snowstorm. It was a sovere test for the porters, who had not been provided with boots, which had not been deemed necessary. Many hours of trudging in tho snow, however, injured oven their leathery feet. Weary Porters' Fine Work. Herr Hoerlin and lierr Schneider climbed the 19,000 ft. Kang Peak, which was probably tho first ascent thereof. Their fine performance heartened tho weary porters, many of whom stumbled into camp in the darkness, snow-blind, in spite of their goggles. One old man, though his feet were frost-bitten, refused to yield his load until ho was exhausted. The performance of these men was wonderful. Each carried a load of 801b.

Some of the porters with Hannah at tho Tseram camp refused to march until they were provided with boots and all available were sent to them. Later tho coolies, seeing tho snow-clad peaks of Margir Pass over which they must go, threatened to strike.

Mr. Wood Johnson quelled an ugly disturbance. Hp discovered that the trouble was due to agitators, who were weeded out and sent back to Darjeeling.

The porters have no grievance. They receive good food and a daily issue of cigarettes and since the agitators' departure have been cheerful, notwithstanding the deep, soft snow. Help from Maharajah of Nepal.

The Maharajah of Nepal sent a Subadar, whose arrival ended many troubles. Ho told tho porters the Maharajah was personally interested in tho expedition and that trouble-makers would bo arrested.

The Subadar also provided 50 local coolie 3 and disciplined the headman at Khunza into promising to provide food for the incoming porters. Plentiful food supplies and equipment are essential for tho attack on Kanchenjunga and the leaders of the expedition now have more confidence, as they feel that many . important stores, including rum and whisky, will arrive from tho lower levels, where they have been delayed. Colonel Tobin has arrived at Yoksan with 75 mule loads of food. Whether he can get them over tho Kang and Margir Passes remains to bo seen.

The expedition has camped in magnificent scenery amid giant peaks during its marches. Tho finest view was up the unoxplored Yamatari Valley, at tho head of which are amazing nameless peaks, dominated by tho 25,300 ft. mountain Jannu. These look hopelessly inaccessible except to the gods reputed to dwell on the fairly-like summits.

A further article on the Kanchenjunga expedition is published in this issue on page 8.