Evening star., 1932-05-24
BY ELIZABETH KNOWLTON.

Member of German-Amercan Hmalayan
Expedition.
Special Dispatch to The Star.
SRINAGAR. Kashmir, May "a
(NAN.A). - The German-American
Himalayan Expedition, which aspires to
climb to the summit OF the &c, ,630-foot
Manga Parbat, an achievement which
would break all records, has just come
through week Of great suspense. For
a time all our hopes seemed doomed.
When we arrived here in the capital
India, we learned that the wild Chilas
tribes were in a restless, threatening
mood. And the north side Of the Manga
Parbat peak, the side from which we
want to attempt our climb, lies in the
region these savage tri5esmen roam. So
the governments of India and of Kash-
mir were reluctant to give us permission
to venture into that area.
This would leave US only ~ G,terna-
tive of making the ascent from the
south. and that Is generally considered
an undertaking impossible Of execution.
The north side is going to be tremend- :
ously difficult. but there. at least. We
nave a chance, and, we believe a good
one.
Official Permission Given.
However, We went ahead with our
preparations, having resolved to co the
best we could with the south side of the
peak. But meanwhile we did not relax
in our persuasions with the government
ofncials assuring them that if we were
permitted to carry out our original plans
we would keep far above the inhabited
valleys.
And Sunday official permission was
given. 1t was greeted with cheers and
general jubilation.
We have found the English here kind
and helpful. both officially and unoffi-
cially. For example. the superintendent
OF posts in Kashmir has ordered the
post ONCE nearest our base camp kent
open two hours longer daily. so there
may be no delay in getting of these
dlSpatcheS OF mine whenever they are
available. The post Office is also the
cable Office. '''~
The vale of Kashmir is known as
paradise for the sightseer. but all of
our time here has been taken up with
our preparations. getting provisions and
equipment and arranging for transport
the scene Of our activities being two
mouse boats, in which. following the
european custom, We have been living
curing our stop in Srinagar.
Crowds Want to Go.
Every table is covered with long lists
OF figures and with samples of pro-
visions and equipment and coolies foot
gear. Besides making purchases We
also are engaged in hiring men. Our
Iame has spread abroad There is un-
CmnlOVYnpnf il
All day and every day literally crowds
OF turbaned and white-robed figures
surround any Of us who walk in the
city. or sit waiting to waylay us on the
Dank OF the river. The boldest stick
their heads in at our doors or appear
IN boats outside cur dining room win
dows.
Take me, Manga Parbat: take me.
Manga Parbat." is the cry. Mem
Sahlo. don't you want good hirdar or
shlkkari or sweeper for Manga Parbat ."
Today We leave Srinagar and civiliza
ton for the trek to Astor, our final
Jumping-of place. Already four full
boatloaos OF provisions and equipment.
weighing more than 5000 pounds, have
started down the the Jhelum River for
banolpur l8 miles away. where ponies
are waiting to carry the supplies along
49, O>A1SA "a <ASi1 SdI dNdIl IOuIc 10 ASIOT,
Two horse loads will consist only of
leather bags filled with silver coins with
which to pay the coolies
Travelling Unusually Light.
Nevertheless. We are travelling unu-
sually light for such a great expedition
The Dyrenfurth expedition carried more
tnan twice as much as VIC are taking
and the Citroen expedition. which pass
ed through here last year, had six times
our load
We have dispensed with all luxuries
II you can call them that. such as beds
tables. chairs, bathtubs and talking ma
chimes. and have only those things alb
solutely essential to our health and to
the climbing of Manga Parbat.
To reach Astor We must cross the
main range of the Himalayas over
Burzil Pass, at a height of 1875 feet.
which is about the altitude of the sum-
init Of the Jungfrau.
II We find snow SO deep and soft that
the ponies will founder up to their
stomachs and cannot get on, a serious
problem will confront out expedition.
scores OF coolies would have TO be sum-
moned from Srinagar or Astor, and that
would mean great expense and the de-
lay OF many precious days.
AT present. however. the pass is open,
and hot, bright sun is stripping the
snow from the higher slopes. But
weather is always an uncertain factor