The Mount Everest Expedition has left Tibet, and the highest
summit in the world remains unconquered. In a final attempt on June 7th Messrs. Mallory, Somervell and Crawford were stopped by an avalanche on the lower slopes of the peak, at an altitude of about 22,000 feet. They were able to escape front the treacherous snow, which was sliding down to a crevasse. But ten of their fourteen native porters, who were lower down, were swept into the crevasse and buried by the avalanche..
Seven were dead before rescue came. It was a tragic end to the Expedition. Those members of the party who have returned
to England confess that their physical endurance was tried to the uttermost, and that none but young men should repeat the attempt to scale the mountain. Life at very high altitudes was exhausting, and the cold was below zero. Major Morehead will lose some of his fingers from frostbite. General Bruce and his party have done splendid work. The main secrets of Everest have been revealed, and the summit, though not yet attained, is shown to be attainable by very strong young climbers who are favoured by a rare spell of good weather. The Expedition has thus fulfilled all reasonable expectations.
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