EVEREST EXPEDITION

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1933, Page 13

EVEREST EXPEDITION

JOURNEY TO CAMP NO. 1.

MARCHES ACROSS TIBET.

Further details of the journey to Camp No. 1 of the members of the British party which is attempting to ascend Mount Everest are contained in English newspapers which arrived by the last mail. Mr. Hugh Ruttlcdge, the leader, reports that the expedition left Kampadzong on April 2. After two uneventful marches across typical Tibetan sandy hills, the party reached Tinkidzong, where it was very fortunate to obtain fresh transport, as most of the animals in the district had been commandeered for the Sino-Tibetan war. From Tinkidzong the party made six long, dusty marches along the Phungehu River to Shekardzong, where it was found that some of the stores had been pilfered. There was a serious smallpox epidemic. “We had no vaccine,” says Mr. Ruttledge. “The expedition’s doctor sent back for vaccine and we taught the local officer how to vaccinate. “We left Shekar on April 13, and on the next day we had a very cold climb over the Pingla Pass, 17,000 feet, whence the view of Mount Everest was obscured by clouds. We camped at Tashidzom, in a grove of willows, which is unusual growth in Tibet. On the third day we came to the River Dzakarchu, which rises in the glaciers on Mount Everest. Thence we entered the Rongbuk Valley, with its desolate scenery and shapeless scrce-covcrcd hills. We arrived at eur base camp on Easter Monday. Everest is only 12 miles away. All members of the party arc in the best of spirits. The porters are very fit, chiefly owing to the medical officer’s care in inspecting the food supplies. “The weather, except for a few days, has been better than on previous expeditions. Although we arc travelling earlier in the year, we are beside a frozen lake, and the neighbourhood is devoid of life. Camp No. 1, which is the first stage beyond the base, was reached on April 19, when the advance party dumped stores. Investigation through the astronomical telescope gives considerable hope of progress being made along the eastern ridge of Everest.”