THE HOMEWARD MAIL

FROM INDIA, CHINA AND THE EAST

London, England

2 October 1905

(page 1319)

THE KINCHENJUNGA DISASTER.

DETAILS.

Calcutta, Sept. 13.—On Saturday afternoon, writes a Darjeeling visitor, news was received in Darjeeling of the fatal accident that befell the Kinchenjunga expedition.

On Friday, the 1st inst., while at an elevation of about 20,000 feet, an ascent was made to find out something of the nature of a height that lay some miles in front of the camp. It was a steep climb and the snow lay thick. Afternoon was bright, and the party had great hopes of getting some good views. While returning to camp about half-past five in the afternoon Messrs. Guillarmond [Jules Jacot Guillarmod], Pache [Alexis Pache], Righi [Alcesti de Righi] and three natives were descending the snow, having roped themselves to each other; but when near the end of the descent the whole party of six were swept down some 250 feet by an avalanche, which buried the whole party under rushing snow. Dr. Guillarmond and Mr. Righi most miraculously managed to extricate themselves, but other four, Pache and the three natives, could not be found. An hour’s search was made, but as darkness fell over the snows, the two survivors had to make their way to their camp some two miles away. The search was renewed the next morning, but fresh snow that had accumulated during the night made it impossible to discover the bodies. The survivors were badly bruised, but a rumour in the station yesterday that Righi had some broken ribs and had died is not correct.

This catastrophe has frightened the coolies to such an extent that they refuse to go further. The two Europeans are obliged to return from the very foot of Kinchenjunga. Mr. Crowley was already on his way back, Mr. Righi and the two Swiss gentlemen alone pursuing their adventurous course. Mr. Crowley will be back in a week, and will be joined by Mrs. Crowley who is expected to arrive from Calcutta at the end of the month.

Sept.12.—At the time of the fatal accident to Pache and the three natives, Mr. Crowley was not with the Kinchenjunga expedition, having left the party some days previously and was returning to Darjeeling. On the morning of Sept. 2 Guillarmond and Righi made a fresh search for the bodies but without success.