ROPES SAVE EVEREST CLIMBERS

Southland Times, Issue 23540, 21 June 1938, Page 7

ROPES SAVE EVEREST CLIMBERS

BRITISH EXPEDITION CAUGHT IN AVALANCHE LONDON, June 19. A copyright message to The Times from Calcutta states that a letter received from the Mount Everest expedition states that the leader (Mr W. H. Tilman), three climbers and four porters were nearly caught by an avalanche on North Col; they were dragged to safety by means of ropes. The letter does not mention any intention to return. It says the monsoon seems to have become established, and that a party is reconnoitring the west side route to ascertain whether it is practicable to make an assault on the summit in monsoon conditions. AMERICAN EXPEDITION ON KAKAKORAM SEARCH FOR ROUTE TO MOUNT GODWIN-AUSTEN LONDON, June 18.

Copyright messages received by The Times from the American Alpine Club’s expedition on Kakakoram, which is attempting to find a possible route to the summit of Mount Godwin-Austen, the second highest point on the globe, show that it left Srinagar, crossed the Himalayan chain over Zojila, reached Kargil, and later Skardu. It expects to establish a base camp below Mouht Godwin-Austen shortly.

The party consists of six Americans, all noted climbers, and is led by Charles Houston, a member of the expedition which climbed Nanda Devi Peak, the highest summit yet reached in the Himalayas.

Mount Godwin-Austen, with an altitude of 28,265 ft, is the highest known summit in the world except Mount Everest. It was named in 1888 by the Royal Geographical Society in honour of Colonel Godwin-Austen the first explorer of the mountains In tills region of the Himalayas. Nanda Devi Peak, which Is mentioned in the cable message, is of an altitude of 25,660 ft. The altitude of Mount Everest is 29,002 ft.