MASS CLIMB UP ICY MOUNTAIN

Western Star, 29 November 1935, Page 4

MASS CLIMB UP ICY MOUNTAIN

One of th e most dangerous peaks in the Pamir Mountains, Central Asia—the mountain group known as the Hoof of the World, because of its great height—has been climbed b v a detach ment of 360 Red Army officers and men. iheir feat, which took more than six days, constitutes a world record for “mass mountaineering.” I rapctsia- (19,520 ft) is the peak which has been conquered. Precipice s and glaciers made th© task more difficult, and in som© places thp soldiers had to climb almost- vertical elopes. For six days they “marched” up th e mountainside. Th e n they made a final camp in the snow some 3,560 f- below the summit. After a rest they began a final spurt, which, i n seven hours, brought them to the- mountain top They climbed this last lap at the rate of 6ft a minute.

Th (; cavalry squadron, which accompanied the iiioiiiltaiiiepriiijr detachment part of tlie way, performed an equally outstanding feat L

In spite of the low temperature, rarefied air, very dangerous mad, and considerable weight of (heir packs, they” lode 620 miles over .steep mountain slopes. Not ;l single horse was lost, not a, single horseman lagged behind. This ride led them to the Akbaital Pass, the highest mountain pass in the Soviet Union. At(e r a short- rest they crossed the pa*s on foot. TllF CURE THAT FAILED.

A I ,n nicr was told by his doctor to count sheep jumping over a fence in an, elloi't to cuie insomnia 1 lie next day th© farmer came back, and said : ‘h didn't work, doctor. 1 counted enough to pay off the mortgage, arid' ■'"t f '* ,TV ’d because thov were not- real th-it I stayed awnky aIJ night.’