MASS MOUNTAINEERING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22262, 9 November 1935, Page 2 (Supplement)

MASS MOUNTAINEERING

"THE ROOF OF THE WORLD" One of the most dangerous peaks in the Pamir Mountains, Central Asia—thp mountain group known as the Roof of the World, because of its great height—was recently climbed by a detachment of 300 officers and men of the Russian Red Army. Their feat, which took more than sis days, constitutes a world record for "mass mountaineering."

Trapetsia (19,520 foot) is the peak which has been conquered. Precipices and glaciers made the task more difficult. and in some places the soldiers had to climb almost vertical slopes. For six days they "marched" up the mountainside. Then they made a final camp in the snow some 2560 feet below the summit. After a rest they began a final spurt, which, in seven hours, brought them to tho mountain top. They climbed this last lap at the rate of six feet a minute. Hie cavalry squadron, which accompanied the mountaineering detachment part of the way, performed an equally outstanding feat. In spito of the low temperature, rarefied air, very dangerous road, and considerable weight of their packs, they rode 020 miles over steep mountain slopes Not, a single horso was lost, not a single horseman lagged behind. This ride led them to the Akbaital Pass, the highest mountain pass in the Soviet Union After a short rest they crossed the pass on foot.