The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-04-13
Ascent Of MOUNT PoPocArApErL.

ASCENT Of MOUNT POPOCATAPETL.
The following is an extract Of letter
published in an English paper from the
Hon. Gerard Noel. NJ. p. dated Mexico,
Jan. Z, 1854. and describing his success.
ful attemptto ascend Popocatapetl in the
depth OF winter:
Il returned yesterday from an expedi.
tion 10 Popocatapetl, the highest noun
tain in North America--l7,0 900 feet above
the level of the sea. believe there is
no record of an ascent before at this sea.
son Of the year, although it has been FIRE.
quentIy done in May and June. The
first night Of our ascent we slept at hut
at the line where vegetation ceases and
perpetual snow commences, and at 81
next morning we started for the summit.
one OF the guides leading. At 9 o'cloek |
louDd myself one hundred yards ahead
Of the rest Of the party, Consisting Of
tour.) at out Of sight Of the party alto.
gether, and al II o'clock | reached the
crater. The crater is vast basin, three
miles in circumference and 900 feet deep:
in some parts perpendicular. in others
great masses Of projecting rock form
bold and stupondouS outlines, with enor-
nous icicles hangi 9 from every point.
The volcano itself has l)ng since ceased
10 snow any signs Of eruption. | began
10 ieel yery much numbed with the cold
and my eyes suffered good deal from
lhe glare of the snow. should have
been very glad Of something to eat, hay-
ing had nothing but cup OF coffee and
a biscuit before leaving the hut; but the
guide who carried the breakfast had re.
manned tine rnfiian !! with the others.
who had not come up. Having examined
the crater Tor about quarter Of an hour,
| told the guide who had Perseyered with
me 10 lead the way up 10 the top. The
fellow declared>it was impossible, but not
intending, as you may imagine, to give
it up (having come so ta)without any
push, | started Tor the top alone. was
no" only able to take three steps at time
without stopping, as my legs began 10 give
way. and | had oppression oi the head
and chest. A Little after P. NJ. reach.
ed the top, and enjoyed one Of the finest
views conceivable of the great valley Of
Mexico, and looking down on the twin
volcano Il forget the Mexican name, but
in English it means the White Lady from
its top resembling woman lying in full
length seemingly miles below me, but
actually only about 1900 feet. The cold
was too intense tor me 10 remain more
than ten minutes al the top, and | COM
menced the descent 10 the crater. By
this time the mountain was enVeloped in
clouds. and could see nothing distinctly
so commenced further descent. aud
in few momeDs came in sight Of the
pole Of Mr.. S. e Tone OF my compay-
mons di uoyage,) and soon after OF him
self; lying down, black in the face, and
wishing 10 be lei alone TO die. A litlle
lower down saw Mr.. Cd, rolling
about like drunken man. but still, with
undoubled pluck, struggling toward the
summit al the rate oil about Il yard IN
three minutes. However after little
res, and encouragement. they both rallied
and returned with them as far as the
crater. but no human effort cold get them /
any higher. attribute my being able to
reach the top to my wind; never ELI
want of breath at any time. while the
others blew like porPoises. In our de
scent from the crater we encountred the
only real danger. At first The snow was
good walking, but as we came lower,
where the sun makes sheet OF ice OF
the surface OF the snow, it became so
slippery that we frequently lost our loot
ing, and If. alter slip. you get so much
impetus that you can't stop yourself. the
ceualnly is that YOU arrive at the bottom
in much the same condition as the man
who jumped off the monument. At one
lime | almost gave myself up However
no accident did happen. though It makes
me creep TO think the slide took. AT
five P. NJ. with my hands cut 10 bits. my
nails worn TO the quick, holding on,
reached the hut and mere gol my break
fast, glad 10 think it was over, as hungry
as fourteen hours abstlnance and bat
tlng with 1900 feet of mountain snow
aud ice could make me. One Of my eyes
is completely "bunged up the other
Just enables me 10 see 10 write this. My !
face is mass of raw flesh and blisters;
but have the satisfaction Of having
perched upon higher mountain than ex
isis in Europe, aud climbed 2 500 feet
nearer 10 heaven than Albert Smith.
Nothing raises the price Of blessing
like its removal; whereas it vas its con.
10 l. -,