EDITORIAL

The presence and matter of this editorial requires explanation and apology. It has been the custom of the Himalayan Journal to dispense with such aids in the past. But the loss of Kenneth Mason as editor needs an expression of public regret, as does the demand that somebody else should enter the room that he has left. The Himalayan world owes to him an immense debt of gratitude. In the first place the beauty of production of this journal hitherto has made it very easily the most attractive of all mountain periodicals. But more than this, it was also very much more complete, because Kenneth Mason had the art and the knowledge to present the various facets of the Himalaya, and to link each with each. These mountains, more than any others, hold an attraction for every interest that is worthiest in us. It is the often forgotten editorial task to stimulate and to co-ordinate these by a greater knowledge. In this respect Kenneth Mason was the perfect editor, and his loss is irreplaceable.

The journal for 1946 would inevitably be a 'coming to life' number, even if it were edited by a Himalayan expert. There is no point in wasting time regretting the quality of what now fills the mould; but words of explanation are required on the layout of this number adopted under the circumstances. It will be seen at once that there are far too many expedition accounts and far too few articles of general or non-climbing interest. It has not been possible even to approach the informative and scientific value of previous numbers, and this partly because during the war years few expeditions longer than a very brief leave-snatch have been undertaken. And there are fewer still who are prepared to write even of these. Therefore it will be found that there are a very large number of minor journeys described; and yet these, in that they are the type of journey likely to be the only one practicable for the next few years, may be of some interest. If the chances of return to the Himalaya grow, they will grow most profitably from the small, easy and self-planned party, rather than from the heavy and laborious expedition. The men who eventually climb Everest will have then behind them a record of minor achievement and experience. They will be acclimatized in every sense, and they will not approach a gamble but something more like a scientific problem. There are a number of very obvious virgin peaks to be climbed, to begin with: Nun, the Panch Chuli and Pandim, for instance. It is the climbers of these, and the scientists looking for exploration starting-points, who might find ideas and suggestions from what has been attempted in the war years.

The inclusion of a short story is a novelty in this journal, though it is a feature of other mountaineering publications. It needs defence. The good fortune of securing a story of such quality as the 'Two Griefs' would be almost sufficient. But apart from this, the Himalayan Journal should touch every side of Himalayan life, and it is assuredly worth while to experiment in various ways of presenting that life. A bigger apology is demanded for the omission of an adequate account of a good many other odd bits of Himalayan activity, such as the beginnings of Aircrew Mountain Centre, with its aim of physical and 'moral' rehabilitation in Kashmir. Nor has the account yet come in of the activities of the Italian Prisoners of War ' from the camp at Yol. Moreover when it comes to explorations and obituary and other notes over the past six years it is necessary to choose. Much has gone into other journals, such as the Alpine, to which in particular this number will owe a great deal. We would here express our gratitude to the editor for his help, and for making much easier the retracing of the Himalayan journey backwards.

It would be impossible in this one number to make a complete record of all that has happened since the last journal was produced in 1940. Whether another number immediately filling the gaps left by this will be possible seems very doubtful. Paper and other difficulties and expenses make the production of one volume a fairly substantial undertaking, demanding the friendliness and co-operation of Press and contributors. Therefore for the omissions this Journal looks for indulgence, and to the Club for their rectification.

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