UNCLIMBABLE

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19913, 16 June 1936, Page 7

UN CLIMBABLE

l MOUNT EVEREST. i THE EXPIDI'I'ION To RETURN. | | _— i [ASCENT I.\IPU:SIBLE THIS SLASUN. l I __— itnitee Press Assn—Bloc. 'i‘cl. town!“i (Received June 16. 12.25 p.m. LONDON, June 15. A copyright message from Mr liugh Ruttledge at Camp 1 on Monday says: “ The expedition must now depart. The deep snow everywhere is ren—dering further etrot't useless. althousil Smythe and \\’yn Harris discovered :\ route which I am convinced will be got great value on a tuture occasion. “Unhappily the attempt has been made in a season in' which Mount Everest has not given us a single chance. The seven climbers who as—cended the icerali on the west side of the North Col on June 10 were pre—vented from examining the upper slope by the clouds already then in evidence. The monsoon is so sever-J and the snow so deep that Mount Everest is uncllmbable this year. “ Smythe and \Vyn Harris yesterday took advantage or the temporary lull and took a light camp to the point previously attained, just out or reach of the avalanches pouring on“ the North Col. A rush of air from one nearly blew down their tent during the night. This morning they obtained a clear view or the slopes to the .crest, and although the snow \\’as too dangerous to make an ascent ihry are [satisfied that. given certain conditions. it safer and more direct route could lhc made on this side. "Smith-\\'indham and l. with portere, went up halfway on the icei‘all 'and formed a similar opinion of the chpedition, from a good viewpoint." Regret Throughout the Empire. I Sir Percy Cox. chairman of the Everest Committee. commenting ou the telegram, says the committee‘s re—sreat \\ill be shared by Britons ‘throushout the world. as the con— Iquest of Mount Everest has become a I national enterprise, on which all hearts are set. The expeditions splendid composition and equipment Justified every hope as far as human agencies were concerned. Abut the early mottsoon and the heavy snowiali. pre—venting the rue-occupation or the North Col, which originally was occupied 'with unusual ease a week ahead or schedule. produced impossible conditions which no previous expedition had ever suffered.

The committee is ieiegraphing .\lr Ruttiedge sympaihising win] his lamentable iii-fortune and recognising that no leadership or mountaineering skill eouid have averted the result. it, congratulates the members on emerg—ing from their critical experiences \vii'houi. casualty.