Читать книгу The Epic of Mount Everest - Francis Edward Younghusband - Страница 6

The years have gone by and still we know not whether or no Mallory and Irvine reached the summit. But the will to climb Mount Everest is still alive. Only permission is wanting. The Mount Everest Committee is still in being. Immediately the last expedition returned—and at the earliest request of the members themselves—permission was sought from the Tibetan authorities for another expedition to proceed to the mountain. But the Tibetans were alarmed. On each of the three expeditions deaths had occurred. Was not this, sufficient warning-that the gods who dwell on Mount Everest were enangercd? They must not be provoked again. So for the present permission is withheld.

But in this generation or the next, in this century or the following, Mount Everest will be scaled. For Norton and Somervell reached and passed the 28,000 feet mark and proved that, under better conditions, the 29,000 feet mark is attainable.

And the Expedition to Everest have given a great impetus to Himalayan mountaineering. Every year some highly organized expedition goes out from Italy or Germany or England to assail one or other of the supreme peaks of the Himalaya. And more and more is it being recognized that these are no mere notoriety-hunting enterprises but are genuine examples of the spirit of man pitting itself against the material forces of his surroundings and determined to establish his ascendancy. And that is why not only mountaineers but men of all kinds feel a common interest in these efforts and have a sense of exaltation as each higher level is reached.

FRANCIS YOUNGHUSBAND.

April, 1931.