Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-05-18
ASCENT OF MOUNT POPOcATAPETL,

The following is an extract oil letter pub
lished in an English paper from the Hon. Ge-
rard Noel, NJ. P, dated Mexico, Jan. 2, 1854,
and describing his successful attempt to ascend
Popocatapetl in the depth Of winter
81 returned yesterday from an expedition to
Popocatapetl, the highest mountain in North
America-17 900 feet above the level of the sea.
l believe there is no record of an ascent before
at this season of the year, although it has been
frequently done in May and June. The first
night of our ascent we slept at a hut at the
line where vegetation ceases and perpetual snow
commences, and at IA the next morning we
started for the summit, one Of the guides lead
ing. At 8 O'Clock I found myself one hundred
yards ahead of the rest of the party, Consist
ing of four,) at out of sight of the party
altogether, and at II o'clock | reached the
crater. The crater is a vast basin, three miles
in circumference and 900 feet deep; in some
parts perpendicular, in others great masses of
projecting rock form bold and stupendous out
lines, with enormous icicles hanging from every
point The volcano itself has long since ceased
to show any signs of eruption. I began to feel
very much numbed with the cold, and my eyes
suffered a good deal from the glare of the snow,
should have been very glad of something to
eat, having had nothing buta cup pof coffee and
biscuit before leaving the hut; but the guide
,rbo no rr;ad tho broo l. fact bod rarainad (tha
rufian y with the others. who had not come
up. Having examined the crater for about a
quarter of an hour, told the guide who had
persevered with me to lead the way up to the
top. The fellow declared it was impossible,
but not intending, as yon may imagine, to give
it up (having come 50 far) without any push, l
started for the top alone. | was now only able
to take three steps at time without stop
ping, as my legs began to give way, and l had
oppression of the head and chest. A little after
Up. M l reached the top, and enjoyed one OF
the finest views conceivable of the great valley
of Mexico, and looking down on the twin volca-
no Q forget the Mexican name, but in English
lit means the White Lady, from its top resemb-
ling woman lying in full lcngth,) seemingly
miles below me, but actually only about 1000
feet. The cold was too intense for me to re-
main more than ten minutes at the top, and
commenced the descent to the crater. By this
| time the mountain was envcloped in clouds, and
could sec nothing distinctly, so l commenced
Ia further descent, and in few moments came
in sight of the pole of Mr.. Sc Zone of my
cOmpagnons de poyage,) and soon after of HIM
self, lying down, black in the face, and wishing
to be let alone to die. A little lower down
lsaw Mr.. Cd, rolling about like drunken
man, but still, with undoubted pluck, strug'
Cling toward the summit at the rate Of about
yard in three minutes. However after LITTLE
rest and encouragement, they both rallied, and
7 returned with them as far as the crater, but
no human effort could get them higher. at
tribute my being able to reach the top to my
wind never felt want Of breath at any time