Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-17
Mountaineering i'm the HimaIayas.

Inc calcutta correspondent OF the London
Times in recent telegram mentioned the ar
rival Of Mr.. Graham an experienced climber, with
two Swiss guides at Darjeering. en- route for
Sikkim. whence he was about to attempt the
ascent Of the Kinchinjunga Mountain, which is
upward of 2S. 900 feet high. Wehave been favored
with two private letters from Mr.. Graham to a
friend in London describing his mountaineering
experience in the Hmalayas up to the date of
writing. Our informant believes that no one
had previously climbed as high. either in the
Hlmalayas or elsewhere. We extract the follow
ing from Mr.. Graham's letters:
Camp under Nanda Devi. 1900 feet July
%. 1So3.-* - We left Nynee Tai on the oath,
and reached RIM, close to the peaks, in twelve
days. Very little sport and great deal of rain.
Then at RIM our troubles began. First, it is al
most impossible even to reach the mountains. as
they stand back, and are only reached by deep
and impossible gulles. through which enormous
streams DASH The result is that you have to
make series Of ascents to reach the highest
peaks. Well we started for Dunagiri %. 1874
feet ifter twice passing over peaks of II. 600
feet and 600 feet. respectively, we reached its
foot nthe fifth day. and camped On the glacier at
the height Of Is, 400 feet. l had to send the
coolies back, as the brutes had eaten a fort
nights food in five days Well. we started
early next morning. The climb was decidedly
difficult. All these peaks are much sleeper
than the average Swiss peaks. About half way
up Kaufman who had the least touch of fever,
gave out and Boss and went on alone. At
1:3O We had reached at least q, 500 feet, as we
were considerably above a neighboring peak,
q, 300 feet. The summit was in sight. steep
snow slope broken with rock. Another halt
hour would have put US on the top, when sud-
den and violent snow-stOrm arose. and we were
obliged to turn back How we got down some
very awkward slopes do not know. 1t was the
most dangerous work l ever did. We reached
our camp, but could get no fire, everything
wet, and passed most awful night. The next
day we had to leave, as provisions were short,
and the peak would not be ready for another
week. Though beaten back, we have solved
the air problem. There is no more difficulty in
breathing at % 800 than at 1880 feet.
We returned to RIM. and have since been
trying to get to Nanda Devi, 25. $50 feet, the
Indian Matterhorn We should have reached
it yesterday. but ten coolies out of sixteen
bolted so we are reduced to swagging, and shall
reach the peak tomorrow. The weather is
very bad, rain every day; but we have got
twenty days provisions with US. and will ex-
haust them before we turn My feet are very
sore to-day, SO that am stopping in camp. Boss
Is shooting and the rest swagging. There is not
much sport, but was lucky enough to get a
fine ounce or snow leopard. One thing should
have mentioned in my last; the peak Kang La,
which ImbOden and assembled Is either 90 800
feet or 20, 500 feet. according to the two known
surveys; 80 that shall not return quite empty
iianded However. you will hear more OF our
dOings shortly, hope"
''Nynee Tai. August IS, 1SS3-Returned to
civilization yesterday after great troubles. The
rest OF our coolies bolted from Nanda Deyi: the
weather became hopeless. and we HAD to swag
back, sixty pounds per man, over most awful
ground. My back still aches when think of it.
We managed to bag another peak, which have
taken the liberty OF calling Mount Monal. on ac-
count Of the quantity of these fine birds on it's
lower slopes. Height, 1895 feet by govern
ment survey. We also tried as tour de force a
magnificent aguille 81 .001 ieet, but were stopped
about 800 feet from the top. Photos were an
smashed or injured over the villainous ground.
am starting for Darjeeling tomorrow, where
hope to have one more try at the giants, and
II fail, leave it for better men than myself"