The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1932. A GREAT ADVENTURE.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1932. A GREAT ADVENTURE.

In the search for adventure and the lure of science discoveries "blier-e are not many places left for the adventurous. The cables leport that another expedition is being arranged to endeavour to reach the top of Mount Everest, which formed the object of an expedition a few years ago in which though unsuccessful in the actual desire, a very fine effort was made and important discoveries of scientific interest were maide. Now another expedition is reported to be arranged, this time a proposal to journey to the South Pole by means of a motor cycle. In this connection in 1930 Major Trvggve Gran, a Norwegian airman and explorer, who was a member of the scientific staff of the Scott expedition in 1910, announced that he would attempt to reach the South Pole by motor-cycle, and row comes definite word that he propose: to carry out his proposal to reach the South Pole by moter-c.ydc next year. Major Gran vivo served in the British Air Force during the war, plans to take three Norwegians as companions. He will disembark on. the weal side of the Ross Sea and proceed, preferably by aeroplane, to the iplateau bo-

fore beginning the ride by motor-cycle along the route west of that followed by Scott and Shackelton to the Pole. The motor-cycles will draw sledges carrying equipment and two pounds of provisoins per man per ; day. He estimates that a distance of between ; 250 and 300 miles will be ; covered daily. The modern motor-cycle, experts declare, will traverse any; surface Hikely to be covered by sledge, and at flaw grelater speed, which is of prime importance in a Polar expedition. Major Gran's project has grown out of iris criticism of admiral Byrd’s expedition to the South Pole,, which he described as, a “speculation in sensations,” adding th:.t the trip might be as easily “accomplished on a motorcycle.” Major, Gran’s criticism of the Byrd Expedition was one ref the; highlights of that feat in exploration. Oables- froip Copenhagen at 'the time of Byrd’s flight' to the Pol©/ stated: “Commander Byrd’s report' to the polar mountains 'seemed .mistaken, Major Gran said. Ranges existed, 250 miles from the Pole, aad possibly further south between AS'cott’s and Amundsen's routes, hut net further south than 88 degrees. The terrible mountains which Byrd describes are a fantasy. The land is on the whole a plain on which, except for clefts and tavines, which must be crossed or got round, the trip might be accomplished on. a motor-cycle. The average height of the Polar Plateau is in the neighbourhood of 10,000 feet, the Pole itseflf being 10-260 feet. It is fringed by mountain cha'ino rising to 16,000 feet, and it. is this/obstacle that forms the diffleu'ty'/ to; explorers. The Beardmore 'Glacier used by Scott and the Axel Heiberg Glacier used/ by Amundsen and' Byrd, about 100 miles apart, lead up through a ghp to the mountain. - chain and give the least difficult route to the plateau. / Major Tryggve Golan .was the ski expert with Scott’s Expedition. At the time' he was a liemtonant in the Norwegian Naval Reserve. H© accompanied Hr. E. L. Atchison arid Mr " A CherryGarrard; who .were in chfarge of the party that recovered the., bodies cf Captain ; Scott and jhis comrades.' He Was the first aviator to 'fly across the North Sea. ■/'