Captain John Baptist Noel electrified a vast audience which packed the Union Living Room last night when he told a tale of meticulous planning of unceasing toll, and of men without fear in connection with the expedition to climb Mount Everest in 1924 when Irvine and Mallory died within 600 feet of their goal.

In his introduction. Captain Noel declared: "Our expedition carried the attempt to reach the top of the world one step farther. The next time it will be done. We have proved one thing. It was never known before that human beings could, with time, acclimatize themselves to high altitudes. We accomplished this thing. Mallary did not die in vain. He showed that the heretofore unconquerable mountain can be conquered. Tonight I shall attempt to show you the romantic fascination and the semi-religious spirit that led him on."

Moving pictures, the beauty of which took the breath of the audience, illustrated the journey.

Starting at sea level, the caravan slowly plodded through jungles of rich verdure and through luxuriant forests until the trees disappeared and they passed over glacial passes onto the flat barren plain of Tibet.

Camp Established At 27,000 Feet

After visiting the filthy towns of the plateau, the party wended its way across swift-flowing rivers and by picturesque lakes, feudal castles on mountain peaks, and hermits' caves until they established a base camp at the foot of Everest.

When the 27,000 foot camp was established at the highest point ever reached by human beings. Somerville and Norton made the first attempt, but turned back at 28,000 feet when Norton collapsed.

Later Irvine and Mallory made the great trial. Leaving their camp at midnight, they were seen shortly after dawn but 600 feet from success. A flash of snow obscured them from sight and they were never seen again.