ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 1 July 1924, Page 7

ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD.

Failure of Everest Expedition.

STORY OF HEROIC ENDEAVOUR

By Cable —Press Association —Copyright LONDON, June 30.

“Only those wiio have had experience of mountaineering in these extreme altitudes are able to realise the difficulties in the way of attaining the summit.” This vague declaration, after appearing in the Everest narratives, is illuminated by Dr. Somervell s detailed account of the extreme physical sufferings during Norton s and Somervell’s last attempt prior to tho disaster. The climb commenced on May 30. and they actually attained ,a height ot 28,000 feet. \ The Last Big Effort.

Dr. Somervell says they, passed the night of June 2 in Camp 5, and thereafter plodded wearily oh, reaching, 26,800 feet on June 3. They pitched a tent on the rock’s ridge. “Remembering how, in 1922, at a similar altitude, thirst destroyed our stamina, we determined to start the final climb on tho morrow with plenty of liquid fuel inside us. . We cooked a good brew ot coffee and soup. We got going at sunrise, and trudged slowly up, panting and slipping frequently, and stopping for breath. The altitude was fast beginning to telli on us. When we got to ‘26,000 there was a sudden change. A little lower down we could walk comfortably, taking three or four breaths at each step. Now as many as ton breaths were necessary for every single step Even at this slow rate ot progress, we had to rest a minute pi two every 20 or. 30 yards. ' At a level of somewhere about 28,000 feet; I told Norton I could not proceed further,; as my throat was now intensely sore. I suggested that Norton should go oil alone, but Norton himself was almost done. Sitting down, I noticed him slowly rise, but, how slowly. After an, hour lie was barely eight feet above me. He soon returned, and we agreed, reluctantly, that the game was up. So with heavy hearts wo retraced our steps, but slowly, foi even downhill movement at this level was hard and breathless work.

View on the Top. “The view from the topmost point we reached was beyond words—in its extent magnificent.. Some, of the highest mountains in the world were over 1000 feet beneath us. One simply seemed above everything # in the world, ft was almost a God’s view of things We reached Camp 4, oh th©_ night of June 4, both rather done in. with Norton fast developing snow blindness contracted during the climb. But we had nothing else to complain of. We had a gorereous day for the climb; almost windless, and_ yet were unable to get to the summit. So we had no excuse. We were beaten in a fair fierht by the beiuht of the; mountain, and onr own shortness of breath.”