Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-10-09
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 himself and four
other Englishmen. The party started on the
18th of July. We give the following ex-
tract, which concludes the account of the as
cent:
Wrapping ourselves in our rugs, we passed
the night as we'll as could be expected, and
at peep of dawn on the 14th we resumed the
ascent 1t certainly was toilsome and slow,
but was nevertheless satisfactory.
From an elevation of about fourteen thou
sand feet above the sea we saw the sun rise
in unclouded majesty, lighting up simultane-
ously to our view vast tracts of the Russian,
Persian, and Turkish empires. That was a
glorious sight never to be forgotten.
About one thousand two hundred feet
from the summit we came upon an oak cross
that had been fixed there in the rock by Pro-
fessor Abich in the year 1845. 1t was in
Russian characters and was still legible.
This was the most difficult part of our as
cent. The distractions were frequent, and
the climbing at times perilous; but caution
and perseverance enabled US to overcome
everything and at nine, A. NJ, we had the
satisfaction of standing on the highest point
Of the mountain. Here / struck to the hilt
in the snow at 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 our beloved Queen in brandy.
Her Majesty will, perhaps, deign to accept
this expression of allegiance on considering
that hers is probably the first name that has
been pronounced or the solemn height since
it was quilted by the great patriarch of the
human race, for no record or tradition exists
of the ascent having ever been made before,
although repeatedly tried by men of different
countries, both European and Asiatic. Pro-
fessor 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 coun-
trymen.
We descended on the tracks of the Others,
and got back TO the tents about four 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
turfa; and near the surface we found some
bits of pumice on a spot which still emits a
strong suiphurous smell.
The summit itself is nearly level, of a tri-
angular shape, the base being about two hun
dred yards in length, the highest point is at
the apex of the triangles, which points near
ly due west. Separated from it 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 in distinct relief on clear
day.
The snow on the top is almost as dry as
powder, and in walking over it we did not
sink more than half way to the knee. The
impression left OF my mind is that the sum-
nit is an extinct crater filled with snow. We
experience 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 a perfect calm pre-
vailed at the time at the foot of the cone, as
we afterwards learnt, a keen wind was blow
ing from the west, which raised binding
mist of fine snow that prevented ms taking
any distant views.
As may be supposed, our success has Gre
try. The fame of it preceded US wherever
we went. 1t was annouRced as sort of won
der to the caravans travelling eastward, and
the Kaimakam of Bayazid has made it the
object of special report to Constantinople.
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 attach to
this performance in popular estimation be-
yond what is due to a mere exhibition of
nerve and muscle and this, no doubt, will
tell in favor of our national prestige.
On the 18th we assembled Lesser Ararst
but this, being an ordinary affair, does not
call for detailed account. I would only
observe that perhaps from no other spot in
the world can a finer or more extensive view
be obtained. This view we had the good
fortune to enjoy to perfection, with cloud
less sky and clear atmosphere.
To save our readers the trouble of refer
ring to gazetteer, may state that. the sum-
NIT of Greater Ararat is II, 1923 feet above
sea level, and Ia, 800 above the plain from
base of cone to summit may be above GOO
feet. lesser Arsrat is 1908 feet about sea
level.