New-York daily tribune., 1843-07-31
THE TRIBUNE.
!. visit to the white eAountains.-The Route
Ascent OF Mount Washington, sc.
Correspondence OF The Tribune


FRIEND GREELEY i have been so delighted
nth my weeks excursion among the mountains
and valleys Of New Hampshire, that | cannot re-
tan from attempting TO induce some OF your
,saers, who have not vet decided where to seek
tbeir summer recreation, to follow IN my loot
seus. To those who have an eye for the grand
,adbeautifu in nature, can promise arch least,
and will guarantee them against all d'sapPon'-
neo,. To such as can boast of having read a
rbole New World" last new novel and all,
5napg day passage up the Hudson or who,
on,be downward trip, can spend two hours over
,5s;r dinner and wine while the boat is making
,be passage of the Highlands, | have nothing to
s,y. Let them luxuriate at the Springs.
The proper way to approach the White Noun
,,ifns;s from the East. Those who pass them
INN tbe West do not realize half their extent,
varety. and grandeur. From Boston, the true
uint Of departure, two or three routes present
themselves, each strongly recommended. |
selected that by Concord aud the lakes, and
found no reason to regret my choice. From Lowell
,OConcord, the capital Of the "Granitc State"
tbe passage by railroad along the banks Of the
caykling Mcrrmac, is beautiful excccdingly.'
No other railroad in the Union can compare with
This in the beauty of its location. From Concord
IN Centre Halbor, at the head of Lake Winnipis-
sogee, is an easy state, through pleasant, but
not particularly interesting country. Here VIC
passed day, partly in daliancc with the smiling
lake, and partly in avisit 10 Red Mountain, some
four miles from the Harbor The view from this
elevation is altogether peculiar, and well worth a
quincy from your City of Fountains" At the
southeast the bright Winnipissccgcc, with its mul-
tudes of Islands, stretches away in the distance,
and seems lost amid hills and jutting capcs.-
Westward, and almost under foot, lies Squam
lake, with its beautifully indcntcd shores and vcr
dant islets-a perfect gem in the landscapc.-
NOrthward the eye meets d waving outline OF
mountain peaks and ranges, the outposts Of the
Grand encampncnt of mountains, through which
YOU are about to penetrate. Let no one who
/ ourneys this way omit the visit TO fed Mountain.
Leaving Centre Harbor, you pass on to Con-
way where you strike the Saco River, whose
course YOU follow to its source IN the Notch OF
the White Mountains. The ride up this valley
sful of interest and excitement. You soon find
7ourself hemmcd in by mountain ridges, assuming
al manner of forms, through the openings of
which YOU, now and then, catch glimpse of
Mount Washington and other towering peaks IN
he distance. At the little town of Bartlett the
yalley expands to an ample PLAIN, so completely
walled in by mountains: and SO vcrdant and beau
ta as almost to realize ones youthful visions Of
the Sleepy Valley of Rasselas About eight miles
below the Notch you pass the residence OF that
mountain patrarch, the elder Crawford, who
seems now to be enloyinga life of comfort and re-
pose, in strong contrast with the tollsomc advcn-
lures and perils of his early days. He has exhlb-
tied good taste and judgement III locating himself
one Of the most beautiful spots in all the valley.
Twill not attempt to describe the passage from
this point to the summit level of the road at
the Notch House, kept by" jolly Tom Crawford"
he iayorite of all right. minded travellers. There,
nine times out of ten, you will either find or call
6 good rousing fire, let the temperature below
lewhat it NAV. Now comes the important opc
nhon Of preparing for the grand ascent OF Mount
Washington And here let me drop q word OF
advice TO Travellers
ascent, both practicable on horseback; that from
tawtord's, at the neck, and the other from Faby
ans, four miles further west. You will find no
lack Of volunteer advice upon the subject from
ayern.keepers, stage-drivcrs and travellers, any
vheie within fifty miles of the spot-glvcn with
aA'he zeal and confidence of political PARTISAN
sap. Pay no regard to their cxtravagant state
nents and quotations of authority. The case IS
avery simple one. If you wish TO see the noun
ANS IN all their glory, and are willing to take
ae hon by the beard" 90 Crawlord's route by
ameans If you arc llmid or lazy, and care
eaeily for the reputation OF having been to the
spoi Mt Washington, then take Fabyan's. 1t
Saappened that our party comprised both classes.
foW of US remained at Crawiord's and the rest
Of the party passed on to Fabyan's, agreeing to
meet US next day on the summit. We made our
expedition, but saw nothing of our friends. Halt
sahour after our return when we had thrown OFT
VM fatigue dresses, asccrtained that We were not
mled, and were about TO draw Up to d liberal Ia.
gs ol creature comforts" shout announced
4e arrival OF two OF our friends from the upper
essons. They had reached the summit soon
afs We left, discovered us at a distance On our
winding way" spurncd their fears, lett their
'aipanions and followed our traces down. Their
sslimony was full in favor of Crawiord's route,
Presenting greater variety and subllmty OF
neS' and giving better idea Of what tins Al
aae region is The Fabyan Woy leads you
Sls sxor seven miles through the forest, chiefly
W. lsas tae valley Of the Amonoosuc, to the foot OF
- Washington, which you climb by an unbro-
"a steep ascent of between two and three miles.
4 .'dWi0rds road takes you within two miles, out
aa the wooded region, and passes you over sue
<saYe nights and ridges, all atfording splendid
"a varied views, to the foot Of the great dome,
sach you strike at about half a mile from the
sAmt. The distance passed over by CrawFord's
sa oa'e Is about seven miles; that by Fabyan's is
:aiy nine. SO much for the comparisons; now
&ae days work
sasht and early in the morning we were out
~ SSa lound our host busy with the preparations
sae morning was cool and the ar transparent