MOUNT EVEREST.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 July 1924, Page 3

MOUNT EVEREST.

ACBTKALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. HEART TROUBLE. (Received this dav at 9 a.in.l LONDON'. -luly 6 Norton, of tho Everest expedition, in a despatch from Rangbuk base camp, dated tlio 14th. says:—“Kverv one of tho surviving mom hors has shot hilicit. I lmvo tliereforc. m.v medical report showing each has a more or less dilated heart, besides various minor disabilities. Tho trouble will right itself in lower altitudes, to which we are bound, but it would probably he. permanent if further high climbing were attempted. This l)r lliugston definitely forbids.” Norton, like O’Dell is id the opinion that Mallory and Irvine actually reached the summit, and perished while descending.

O’Dell’s narrative, cabled on Saturday adds that Mallory and Irvine sent back five porters who accompanied them to twenty-seven thousand feet, carrying provisions and oxygen apparatus. They brought an optimistic note saying they had used the minimum of oxygen, and the weather was perfect. When he saw the two moving on the snow (as previously cabled) they were moving with considerable alacrity evidently realising that not much daylight remained in which to reach the .summit, and return to the camp. It is remarkable that they were so late in getting to where he saw them. Mallory anticipated reaching it several hours earlier. Probably they encountered bad going though this is unlikely. A close scrutiny with the binoculars showed easy climbing. O'Dell went, tip to Camp No ti. arriving as a blizzard started, ami prepared food lor the climbers’ return. He whistled and howled through the driving sleet to give them a correct direction, but soon realised it was a useless task. The blizzard passed within two hours and the sun shone out. and O’Dell searched the crag with his glasses and made signals, but saw no sign of Mallory and Irvine. Next day assuming they were still asleep after a late night return to Camp (!, O'Dell started from Camp 3, where he had spent the niglit. for Camp 0 carrying oxygen and provisions. He found the tent exactly as he had left it. O'Dell worked along tho face of the mountain seeking a clue but as evening approached he reluctantly abandoned the search, dosed up the tent and left it there, with the last relics of his lost companions. O’Dell concludes: ‘‘Has Kverest been climbed. It will ever :be a mystery. Considering the circumstances and position leached. I am personally ol the opinion that Mallory and Trvino reached tho summit.”