Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1901 — THE HIMALAYAS. [ARTICLE]

THE HIMALAYAS.

Mr*. Workman Mak ex World Record for Women. In June, 1899, the authors of ‘‘The Himalayas,” Dr. and Mrs. Workman, returned to Srinagar from Java, where they had been on a cycling tour, and lost no time In getting together their outfit and engaging coolies for an expedition to the northern regions of Baltistan. The route followed was over the Deoeai plains to Skardu, from thence to Shlgar, and by the Askor Nullah to Askole, and it speaks well for Mrs. Workman’s strength of nerve that she was able to cross the rope bridge over the Braldu river, near Askole, which is stated to be 270 feet long. In this expedition they were accompanied by the well-known Alpine guide, Mattias Zurbriggen, who had traveled with Sir Martin Conway when he visited and surveyed part of this region in 1892, and therefore had considerable experience, and from what the authors state regarding him he folly upheld his reputation as a thoroughly reliable guide. From Askole the party traversed the Blafo glacier as far aa the Hispar pass and the Skoro La. In the latter region Mrs. and Dr. Workman under" the guidance of Zurbriggen made the ascents of peaks respectively 18,600 and 19,450 feet above sea level. On the arrival of Mrs. and Dr. Workman at Shlgar they determined to attempt the ascent of Koser Ounge. With that object in view they traveled to Yuno, and established a camp at the elevation of 15,000 feet, from which position the attack on the mountain Was commenced, but it was not until several days afterward that the final attempt was made. The usual difficulties with the coolies were experienced, and on this occasion the

party was only accompanied by two of them. By noon they had reached an elevation of 20,000 feet; the cold was intense, with a strong wind blowing, and Mrs. Workman was obliged to get Zurbriggen to rub her hands and pound her feet to restore circulation. At this juncture one of the coolies gave in and had to be unroped and sent back, after which they struggled on, gaining foot by foot, until at last the summit was reached at an elevation of 21,000 feet. The party had been out from camp thirteen hours, and the climbing had been most difficult, certainly a most wonderful performance for a lady, and one of which Mrs. Workman may justly feel proud. In this expedition she had made ascents of 18,600 and 19,450 feet and 21,000 feet, this being a world mountaineer record for women.