Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-11-25
FIRST ASCENT OF MOUNT HOOD, IN OREGON.

rAnol aoCENi VI MOUNl uUOD, In UREGON.
We give interesting account Of the first ascent o
Mount Hood snow-capped peak in Oregon, estimated
to be feet high lofty than Mount Shasta
and heretofore unexplored The narrative is given by
the editor Of the Oregonan who started the 4th
August, with party of gentlemen, under the guidance
Of Capt Barlow, old mountaneer to ascend the peak
They camped the first night at Fosters abont twenty
miles from Portland For thirty miles from Fos.
ters the the trail immigrant road as it is
called is gradual except occasional hi which to an
inexperienced traveller in the mountains would seem
be an nsurmounable barrier to further progress After
some eight hours riding rough unsettled country
in hot SUM- the most Of the way destitute of water the
party attained what appeared to be the summit of the
first bench of Mount Hood few rods below they found
fine gurgng spring Of the purest water. The narrator
continues:
After hours rest and partaking of refreshments
the order given to saddle up" We soon under
way again The route from this point soon brought us
into deep valley, through which considerable river
called ''Sandy," runs directly from the snow capped
mountain The party pushed on ut rapid pace as
the road would admit Through this whole valley the
route low bottom full Of large boulders and
sand which horses obliged scramble their
way as best they could.
We encamped in the bottom for the night Grass was
Consequently in the morning had trouble
in finding all the horses, they had wandered mile or
from the camp after food. However, we soon got
under way, and followed the stream which, as we
assembled became rapid and the valley
Towards reached the second i bench of the
mountain.
We were to meet Judge Olney and Major Haar of the
army the south side of the peak as pos
sbe From this rendezvous we were distant about four
Thousand feet We started foot up the steep ascent
not less than forty degrees and after hours of sug
Cling, putting, painting, and blowing attained top,
without serious Inconvenience oss the anathe
pronounced upon the horses of the train and the
animal species generally We found however, after get
ting to the first top, there still second third, and
fourth Finally all ascended, and arrived at
the place where Captain Barlow intended that should
dine.
After this we again got under way, and leaving the
trail plunged into the dense forest direct for the prnc
pal snowrpeak We found the woods open than we
had anticipated BY keeping the highest ridge of
land we were enabled to avoid the canyons and deep de-
cliytes.
In about three hours hard travelling we suddenly
emerged into open plain thicky covered with grass
and flowers The lofty covered mountain loomed
up in sublime grandeur and magnfcence apparently not
more than mile or so distant. We, however travelled
full two hours up ascent of about twenty degrees,
which brought to the lying in the fields either
side and in our front Here encamped for the night
On the morning of the th black clouds began gather
around the base Of the mountain far below US; it soon
to thunder and lightning and the wind to blow
q severe gale from the west Judge Olney and Major
Hallar after much difficulty, discovered camp and
appearance.
Our position too much exposed to the driving wind
the whole party retreated down the side Of the
tain for three miles, where camped for the night
in deep About sunset the wind abated and the
clouds below disappeared The rose (having filed
= her horns y and shone with unusual brightness and
the night beautiful although the weather was quite
cold Before II o'clock the thermometer fell TO the
freezing point, and in the morning. when we emerged
from frostcovered blankets found our tin cups
about onehird full Of ice from the water left in them
over night.
AT this point we thought we could discover through
telescope smoke ascending from the extreme pinnacle
1t had not previously been supposed that Mount Hood
was at this time volcanic.
On the morning Of the 9Th the party left camp in high
spirits, determined to reach the summit The animals
pushed double quick time up the side Of the noun
tan as far as it safe practicable take them
where they quickly stripped of their burdens and
pcketed. In few minutes oil off for the top. Each
took some provisions and provided with we'll made
creepers ironsocket mountain stas with hooks ropes
&c. the kind that used in ascending Mount St.
Heens last year. and which found indispensable for
climbing snow-covered mountains.
We commenced the upon the southeast side by
first traversng sharp ridge between the head.
waters of Dog River right and tributary of the
De Chutes the left This ridge attained by first
crossing chasm of about 500 feet in DEPTH formed by
the water of the last named stream After two hours
hard climbing stopped to refresh We then continued
the ascent and in little while naked ridge was lost
IN the mantle Of snow which lay spread before
. Y
After attaining high altitude we found the snow lying
IN waves similar to chopped sea - therefore we had
rise at almost every step from six inches to two three
md sometimes four feet The had softened the TOP
of the snow sufficiently to make slight indenation by
he boot
Thus continued to ascend for several thousand feet
1t angle Of almost fifty degrees when the rarifed
atmosphere began to exhibit its effects upon ALL but epe
,ially upon Judge Oney Major Hallar, and Capt Ira
1alot. Soon Major H. could go no further in conse
luence of dizziness in the head which affected him Sc
ously After awhile Capt T. found the blood starting
rom the surface, and was also attacked with like dizzi
when he prudently declined going further After
few rods further up the ascent became steepby
heodoite 10 degreeswhere Judge Olney reuctant-
compelled to halt in consequence of the singular effect
If the air upon him. From this point compelled
make steps by kicking the toes Of boots several
lines into the By following close to the edge of
large ledge of rocks lying perpendicular with the
ain where the suns reflection from the ledge had soften
ID the snow enabled get comparatively good foot
The Indian, who had good pair Of creepers and
good mountain staff seemed determined 20 up MS far
the Bostons could although he could be induced
o lead the way or 60 between For nearly two
there was nothing sad except occasional
ng from US 10 MIR. Lake to sclose MANAGE" and the
esponse of all right" 60 ahead' "we'll come it p
Finally, at hnlfpa o'clock P. NJ, we attained the
summit the southeast side We found the top similar
that of Mount ST. Helen's-exremely narrow lying in
crescent shape Mount ST. Heens facing the northwest
oy crescent. while Mount Hood faces the southwest
rhe sharp ridge top from the southwest to the
1orth making sharp turn to the at the north end
rhe main ridge is formed of decomposed volcanic sub
stances of light reddish color with from 20 so
eet high intervals of few rods These or rocks
full of cracks ssures if they had been by
some convulsion of nature at period. Between
hese cones there numerous hoes varying from the