THE SIEGE OF EVEREST.

Southland Times, Issue 19277, 23 June 1924, Page 4

THE SIEGE OF EVEREST.

Risks attend all alpine climbing, and the hardy men who attempt to scale the great heights find in the dangers the spice which makes the adventure worth while. It is not likely, therefore, that the loss of two valuable lives in the latest assault on Mount Everest will bring about the abandonment of the quest. The 1924 expedition, which was organised under Brigadier-General Bruce, may not proceed further, but the future is sure to see other attempts to conquer the point on the earth’s surface “nearest to heaven.” It was the declaration that the expedition desired to win the “nearest point to heaven,” which was used .to wm the cheerful support oi the Great.

Llama of Rongbuk, the Sang Rimpoche, whose good offices were extremely valuable to the expedition. The Rongbuk Valley contains some of the most beautifully wild scenery in the vicinity of Everest, though the great peak itself is not seen in its full magnificence from this flank. It is admitted that while certain branches of science may benefit slightly from the experiences of the party, the dominant note of the undertaking “first, last and foremost is a great adventure.” The earlier assaults on the peak, and climbs in other parts of the Himalayas have revealed most of the facts science can expect to obtain from the mountaineers, but Everest will continue to attract daring spirits because it is the highest point on the earth’s surface, and has so far successfully resisted human effort. Mr Mallory was fully experienced in climbing, particularly in connection with Mount Everest, but his companion, Irvine, was on the ground for the first time. Their deaths will be universally regretted, but, although Mallory had said this attempt up the Rongbuk Valley was to be “the third and last, for better or worse,” it is safe to say that the attack on Everest will be renewed in the future. From the determination of man to overcome Nature springs the stimulus which drives the race forward: the assault on Everest is a symptom of this lust for conquest, and the British people will not be true to their traditions, not true to the traditions of the human race, if they abandon the contest.