EVEREST CLIMBERS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1933, Page 3

EVEREST CLIMBERS

TERRIFIC ORDEAL AHEAD

LONDON, March 22. “Will Mount Everest be conquered at), last?” asks . Sir Percival Pliillips in a mesage to tile “Daily Mail” from Kalimpong, whence Mr Hugh Rutledge with his expedition, is to leave the outskirts of-.civilisation.

“The expedition is fortified by the experiences of its three predecessors '-lid has better-chances of success, yet tiie difficulties are so appalling that

victory will ho little short of miraculous,” says Sir-Percival. “Even the approach to Mount Everest is an ordeal sufficient to defeat many stout men, for the climbers, before reaching the base of the mountain, must live for weeks on the bleak windswept plateau of Tibet.

“From Gangtok the expedition will use mules and ponies to Kampa Dzong (15,000 feet)' on the rockbound floor of Tibet,, where vak transport will he engaged. The baggage train will consist of at least 300 animals, in. addition to. numerous porters. From Kampa. Dzong the climbers wi.lj move by easy, stages in order to accustom themselves to the air, thus beginning a struggle which will reach ’.its climax during the following month, when they will be exposed to dizziness, “altitude throat,” snow blindness, palpitation, sunstroke and diminished vitality, affecting the brain as Well as the body.

“Above 25,000 ft they will suffer a dangerous inertia; - which will make the slightest movement an effort and will l dull the mental ploceSs-

“A base camp will be established near the RongTfuk Monastery in the middle, of April and the assault on Mount Everest will begin early in May from .six ."successive camps; the last camp at an altitude of et least 27,000 ft. “Watchers ’ below hope to ' follow with glasses the final efforts of the climbers to reach the summit.”