MOUNTAINEERING.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 January 1922, Page 7

MOUNTAINEERING.

KILIMANJARO CONQUERED , By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrigtt. London, Jan. 20. The Daily Mail publishes a story from Dar-es-Salaam (German East Africa), describing how two Englishmen (Gillman and Nason) climbed to the summit of Kilimanjaro, 19,178 feet, which is one of determination, triumphing over terrific odds. The painful difficulties of breathing in the rarelfied atmosphere, combined with the intense physical effort of scaling the mountain, made every breath seem likely to be the last. Gillman and Nason and two other Englishmen, with two native carriers, attempted to ascend. The last four were forced to abandon it between 16,000 feet and 18,500 feet. The last stages were mainly over loose shingle against an ice-cold wind, constantly slipping far back though a head wind helped to fill the lungs. Eventually they decided to make a short cut through the ice zone, which they had previously intended to enter as late as possible. They hewed steps upward, progress being safe and sure, but super-human efforts were required owing to the tremendous strain on the heart and lungs. The pulse was over 120, and respiration 35. They reached the edge of the crater utterly exhausted, and hoisted the Union Jack.—United Service.