MOUNT EVEREST.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 9817, 22 February 1936, Page 9

MOUNT EVEREST.

THE RUTTLEDQE EXPEDITION. ASSAULT ON THE SUMMIT. TO BE MADE IN PAIRS. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, Feb. 20. The Bombay correspondent of the Times reports that Mr Hugh Ruttledge on his arrival there to-day said that the assaults on the final few thousand feet of Mount Everest will be made by eight members of his party in pairs. On this occasion they will start earlier, given the arrival of the monsoon at the normal date, and it is hoped there will be time for four assaults, if four are necessary. The party will return to Darjeeling immediately one pair is successful. It is hoped to reach Darjeeling on March 12, the base camp on April 21 and the North Col on May 22. The final assaults will be dependent upon the weather after that date. Mr Hugh Ruttledge’s party is the strongest that could be got together for the attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Of the twelve membrs nine have already been to the mountain, 10 are known to be capable of climbing to at least 23,000 ft. and eight are expected to be capable of going very high. The party has been limited to 12 to reduce the difficulties of porterage on the glaciers and to simplify the problems of control.