THE EVEREST EXPEDITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19200, 17 June 1924, Page 7

THE EVEREST EXPEDITION

DRIVEN BACK TO BASE CAD.IP. TERRIBLE HARDSHIPS EXPERIENCED. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, June 15. Advices from the Everest Expedition, dated May 26, show that the advance was again temporarily defeated after the party had ascended to camp No. 4 on the north col. The expedition is now recuperating at the base camp and camp No. A before making a fresh attempt. Had it not been for superhuman efforts some members of the party and a number of porters would have lost their lives. Th* conditions at camp No. 4 at a height of 23,000 ft, were found to.be most dangerous, and it was decided.to evacuate it. Whilst Hazard was shepherding the porters down trio treacherous descent four lost their nerre. and returned to the camp. Their only food was a sack of meal. The others reached camp No. 3. Snow was failing heavily, and the cold was intense, with bOdeg of frost. It was realised that,." ' unless the marooned porters were rescued their doom would be sealed. Next morning Mallory, (Norton, and Somerville started on the dangerous ascent, and managed, after tremendous efforts, to reach the porters and bring them safely to camp No. 5; at an altitude of 21,000 ft. They . were terribly exhausted and almost frozen. - Snow fell continuously for 26 hours, ■ with 65deg of frost, the" lowest temperature experienced on any Everest expedition. Sleep was impossible, not only as a result of the extreme cold, but because of prolonged fits of coughing. There was no sign of improvement, but there were many indications that the monsoon was breaking ; consequently on May 25 the main party retreated to their base camp, a smaller party remaining at camp No. 2. —The Times.