The attempt on Mount Kamet by a party of soldiers of the 1st Battalion the East Surrey Regiment, has ended. The summit was not attained, but what Corporal Ridley terms “a successful effort” was achieved.

For twelve days the party was encamped at 21,000 feet. Unaided by porters they moved their kit by a succession of relays across the great glaciers and precipices of this most formidable peak. The final height reached was 23,500 feet on the final slope of Kamet.

Commenting on the result Corporal Ridley states: “Our failure to reach the summit must be attributed to a mistake in tactics. Those who are familiar with the topography of Kamet are aware that the crux of the climb is the ice precipice leading from the glacier plateau above east Kamet to the snow slopes ascending to Meades Col. Encamped at the foot of this precipice we made the mistake of attempting a route directly over its face in preference to a steep snow couloir on the right for the risk of avalanches falling into the couloir from the vertical cliffs of the east Abi Gamin appeared grate. Although we actually reached the top of the precipice we found it impossible to get the kit up to establish a camp.”

“ Naturally, we feel disappointed at not reaching the summit and deeply regret our mistake in tactics. Excepting for two days when we experienced snow blizzards, the weather has been perfect. The modest equipment that we used, the non-employment of porters above the glacier camps and the fact that this was our first serious attempt at mountaineering combine to make the result a satisfactory one.”

“Our stories are now being relayed down the Dhauli Valley to Joshimath where the party hopes to enjoy a short rest before returning to Ranikhet. Everyone is keeping fit and all have enjoyed a great adventure.”