The Express.
London, England, 1853-08-24 00:00:00

ANOTHER ASCENT OF MONT BLANC.

Lieutenant Augustus C. Murray, R.N., hu pub-
lished the following account of his ascent of this moun-
tain : _

" I have made the ascent of Mont Blanc since writing
last to you. We attained the ()rands Mutate in safety, and
remained there, as usual, for the night. At midnight we
left them, lighted by a single lantern. Tee wind in-
creased from the time of our departure, until it became so
terrific • gals that we could not proceed by the new path
usually pursued, so we determined to try the old one, the
same which Dr. Hamel attempted in 1820. It was the
advice of Jean Tairrax, my chief guide, which
determined me under existing circumstances to
attempt it. Following this route, we had successfully
advanced, notwithstanding incessant storms of hail
and snow, which beat full in our faces, nearly to
the summit of the Ruben Rouges, when suddenly an
awful crevasse burst open before us with the crash of
thunder ; our advaneed guide at the same instant disap-
peered, and we all feared the poor fellow was lost, when
to oar joy we heard him cry out, and succeeded in res-
cuing him by throwing dawn our rope, which happilyjust
reached him on the jagged fragment of ice to which he
clung—a narrow escape, for on either side of him yawned
a perpendicular chasm of some 150 feet iii depth. We still
kept on, notwithstanding, with undiminished ardour, in
spite of the constantly increasing fury of the storms of
wind and hail, until we finally managed to reach a small
rook just above the Petits Malec, under which the tem-
pest now compelled as to creep for shelter, absolutely
forting us to cling to it with all our strength to
our being blown away. All the difficul-
ties of the ascent were now overcome, and half
an hoar mere would have brought us with ease to
the summit, which had the storm ceased, &child thght
with ease have surmounted. It was tantalising to be so
near, after enduring so much, without being able to
attain the absolute summit; but Jean Tairraz assured
me that it was impossible to proceed without the loss of
all our lives, as the wind would infallibly blow us over the
adjoining precipice did we attempt it. Without giving
a second thought, under such Ciftllll3eacees, to the further
ascent, we decided on descending without loss of time, every
moment of which was now becoming doubly precious.
Throwing ourselves at full length on the snow, and crawl-
ing to the edge of the descent, we slid down in a few
minute,, what bad taken us more than an hour to our-
meant. Then commenced the labour of our descent, as
the snow had fallen to such a depth that we were half-
buried at every step. Worn out with fatigue, we
dually reached the Grande Mulcts, where we were to
spend the night; and such a night came on—l would not
have lostlit for worlds. Even now it thrills through me,
far surpassing in grandeur all I could ever have conceived.
The fearful hurricanes of wind, the falling avalanches, the
opening alivallMlS, the crash of thancher, the fierce lightning,
riving in vivid flashes the dark clouds veiling the summit
of Mont Blanc—all combined to form a scone which the
absolute nothingness of man must truly see and feel to
conceive of. When I looked upon it from our lonely and
desolate resting spot, far above the sweet village of Cho-
=oasis, it seemed as though the mountainous worlds
around us were warring with an angry heaven. The next
morning when I looked in search of our upward route, it
was impossible to distinguish • vestige of it, from the
changes that had taken place during the night. What had
been comparatively level, was now heaved up into gigantic
wave,. Numerous and impassable crevasses likewise blocked
the way. About 5 cm. we recommenced oar descent,
and fortunately arrived in safety at Chamouniz. We com-
menced our aseentlon the Ist of August, at 7 a.m., and re-
turned on the 3rd, at 9 a.m. I went alone, taking five
guides with me, of whom es Wet one, Jean Tairru, is a
line brave fellow, and is Asides a clever naturalist. I
most cordially reosammil ISM to any one willing to try
this most arduous essest. Ome man besides, a volunteer,
Le up at the last erovesno amdl returned. There is one
g I would advise mem who may wish to emend
Mont Bleat. The guides of Ckameaaix are fettered by
police revelations, and aseobliged to serve in rotation with-
out regard es their ce to avoid which annoyance
the best phi Is to salmi yamp cipalguideatC►amounix,
and walk In T w4sh his and obtain the Sardinian mi-
sister's Waif Ay the Imes yes may wish to select. I should
certainly advise Iva et least. Then walk back, and take •
few days' good onertdos before you attempt it. I suffered
much from not having done so. A Him determination and
good health will then carry ono through."