Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-11-11
Ascent Of Mount Ararat.

| Major Robert Stuart. of the British
army, IN communication TO the London
Times, gives an interesting account of the
ascent OF Mount Ararat, made by him.
self and four other EngLshmen. The
party started on the 11th of July. We
give the following extract, which concludes
the account of the ascent:
Wrapping ourselves In our rugs we
passed the height as well as could be ex-
pected, and at the peep of dawn on the
l4th we resumed the ascent. 1t certain
iy was tollsome and slow, but was never
theless satisfactory.
From an elevation of about IA 900 #.
above the sea we saw the sun rise In un-
clouded majesty, lighting up Simultaneous
iy to our view vast tracts of the Russian.
Persian, and Turkish empires. That was
GLORIOUS sight, never to be forgotten
About 200 feet from the summit we
came upon an oak cross that had been
Fixed there In the rock by Prof. Abich, in
the year 1915. 1t was in perfect preser-
walton, and the inscription, in Russian
characters was still legible.
This was the most difficult part of our
ascent. The distractions were frequent,
and the climbing at times perilous; but
caution and perseverance enabled us to
overcome everything, and at 9 A. NJ. we
had the satisfaction of standing on the
highest point of the mountain Here |
stuck to the hllt In the snow kama, or
short double-edged sword, which we found
at the foot of Abich's cross Here, also.
as loyal Britons, we drank the health of
no
esty will, perhaps, deign to accept this ex-
preston OF allegiance, on considering that
here is probably the first name that has
been pronounced on thal solemn height
since 1t was quilted by the great patriarch
OF the human race; for no record or ira
dlton exists of the ascent having ever
been made before, although repeatedly
tried by men of different countries, both
European and Asiatic. Prof Abich made
several attempts, but failed IN all, as is
proved by the position of the cross, by the
testimony of the natives, and even by the
confession of his own countrymen.
We descended on the tracks of the
others, and got back to the tents about A
P. M.
The whole surface of Mount Ararat
bears evidence of having been subjected
to violent volcanic action, being scanned
and scored with deep ravines. The rocky
ridges that pron ude from the snow are
either basalt or tufa; and near the surface
we found some bits of pumice on a spot
which still emits very strong sulphurous
smell.
The summit itself is nearly level, of O
triangular shape, the base being about
two hundred yards in Length, the perpen-
dlcular about three hundred. The high
est point is at the apex of the triangles,
which points nearly due west Separa-
ted from 1t by hollow, is another point
of nearly equal altitude, and the base of
the triangle IS an elevated ridge forming
a third eminence. These three points
stand out III distinct relief on a cleaI day.
The snow on the top is almost as dry
as powder, and in walking over it we did
not sinls more than half way to the knee
The impression left on my mind is that
the summit is an extinct crater filled with
snow. We experienced no difficulty of
respiration, except being sooner blown by
exertion than we should have been at a
lower level. The cold was intense, and
though perfect calm prevailed at the
Tune at the foot of the cone, as we after
wards learnt, a keen wind was blowing
from the west, which raised u binding
mist OF fine snow that prevented US ia
king any distant views
AS may be supposed, our success has
created no small sensation throughout the
country The fame of 1t preceded US
wherever we went. 1t was announced as
a sort of wonder to the caravans travelling
eastward, and the kaimakam of Bayazid
has made it the object of special report
to Coustantinople.
From the sacred character of the noun
tain, and the traditions associated with it
throughout the East, identical as they are
with scriptural records, | am inclined to
think that degree of importance will at
tach to this performance IN popular estl-
nation beyond what is due to a mere ex-
hlbItlon of nerve or muscle; and this, no
doubt, will tell in favor Of our national
prestige.
On the 18th we ascended Lesser Ara
rat but this being an ordinary fair, does
not call for a detailed account. | would
only observe that, perhaps, from no other
spot In the world can finer or more ex-
tensive view be obtained. This view we
had the good fortune to enjoy to perfec-
ton, with a cloudless sky and clear atmos-
pherc.
To save your readers the trouble of re-
ferring to a Gazetteer, | may state that
the summit of Greater Ararat is 1923
feet above sea level, and 14,300 above
the plain; from base of cone to summit
may be above 1000 feet. Lesser Ararat
is 13, ,093 feet above sea level
THE FUGITIvE SLAVE Law CARRIED
OUr.-About a year ago, slave boy es-
capped from Mobile In the bark Growler,
and made his way to Canada. The Mo-
bile Tribune states that Sheridan, his