The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-22

pass around the impending peak Of Mount Mon
roe, the narrow pathway looking down rapid
dechvity of three thousand feet, Next you enter
upon an irregular, PLAIN along the summit Of the
ridge, with small lake IN deep basin to the left
and patch of snow, under the shelter of Mount
Washington, to the right. Beyond this is ano:
ther patch of snow, both the remains OF a drift
melting rapidly to-day III the summer heat, even
at the altitude of 8 500 feet. Some of the party
dismounted, and while the horses were drinking
at small morass, INDUCED in the winter sport Of
snow-balling. From the plain we beheld tac peak
OF Mount Washington, which consists Of q mass
OF loose, coarse granite, and gness rocks, covered
with scaly moss, which gives them misty
brown color, and yet the mica scales Of asbestos
are SO thlckly mingled with the rocks as to make
tn. m sparkle as wi th silver spangles-hence the
original name of the crystal hills, We ascend
within two hundred feet of the summit on horse
back, over the loose rocks, and Mexican mule
would readily climb up TO the top. Ii is horrid
work, however, Tor hOrseflesh; and 1t was pitifu
streams as they labored up the rugged rocks for
the iole amusement of curiosity seekers. Oul
horse fell with US twice In the ascent, by missing
bis foothold, and yet the faithful beast, even IN
falling, careful to lie still till his rider was Out
OF the way: There were several places, however,
in which, had he missed his footing, there was a
prospect of some ground and lofty tumbllng for
horse and rider two or three thousand feet into
the valley below. But IN such places he felt his
way with the sagaciry OF an elephant.
On the summit we met with party from Fab
vans, and another from the Mount era wford house,
or the hotel below the Notch all together forming
party OF twenty persons. After dining on the
summit The parties separated, and caution and
kindness TO your trust both good qualities in
their place, walked the greater part of the de-
scent, leading or leaving the pony 10 follow in the
trail. One of the ladies' twice fell from her horse
in descending, but with n. other damage than two
severe drubbngs of the horse by one OF the guides
for stumbling.
The view from the summit was limited to the
surrounding mountains and vallies, from the hazy
atmosphere. On a clear day, the Atlantic ocean
may be seen 20 miles TO the westward, and Port
land, and even the ships off the harbor, and Lake
WinneblsIagu, 60 miles to the south, and the inter-
veDing plains, lakes, vallifs and mountains, with
the Connecticut river far away TO the west
The following are the heights, above the level Of
the sea- Of some of the PRINCIPAL peaks of the White
Mountains - Mount Washington, 6,2i3 feet
Mount Adams o1o1 feet Mount Seerso1, $3.50
5,29S feet Mount Ptasant, $3.50 feet Mount
franklin, 1851 feet Mount La Fayette, Alb feet
Excepting La Fayette, which hes of with clus-
ter Of other peaks towards Franconla all of this list
and Clinton and other mountains, are peaks OF the
same unbroken ridge, along the comb Of which
you may climb from one 10 the other.
The trip occupied from seven ID the morning till
six In the evening, and horses and riders were
about equally broken down all hands as well sun
burnt as from months hard service in the gold
mines, from the reflection from the rocks.
To the excessively romantic, the trip is excess
slvely delightful but our private opinion was, be-
fore ascending, that II would not pay, and the ex
pertinent satisfies US that it is an exceedingly rdI-
culous adventure. There would be something of
sport in sealing Fremont's peak Of the Rocky
Mountains, or Mount ST. Helen's in Oregon, or
Mount Shsste at the head OF the Sacramento, or
Orzaba, Iztaccibuatl, or the volcanoes of Pops
catepetl, in Mexico, which range from II to $1,000
feet above the sea but the idea to spend day to
climb TO a summit below the snow line, for the
sake Of rhapsodizing about it, is perfectly absurd
Yet the whole region of these mountains Is full Of
wild scenes, and well worthy the patronage Of the
unlnitated in mountain scenery. The DocroR.