Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-01-05
Winter Ascent Of Mount W q. hinsto, 4. Sew.
W.ft


The Coos Republican narrates the successful
termination of an enterprise several times at.
tempted, but never before ACCOMPLISHED. viz
the ascent Of Mount Washington in winter.
Later than the early part of September, the
ascent Of any Of the White Mountain range is
attended with danger, and several who have
made the attempt have lost their lives. On
the 7th ult., however, two individuals sur
mounted the perils of the ascent, and entered
the Tip Top and Summit Houses. The title to
these buildings has been for some time in liti-
CATION, and recently Samuel Il. Spaulding, of
Lancaster, obtained an execution, which he
was anxious to levy Immediately. Securing
the services Of Deputy Sheriff Lucius Harts-
horn and b. +. Osgood, an experienced guide,
the three left the Glen House, at Z q. m, on
the 7th ult For the frst mile the snow was
about one foot in depth, increasing to two and
half and three feet as they approached the
Ledge At this point Mr. Spaulding left the
party, and returned for horses and provisions
for the adventures on their return trip.
Messrs. Hartshorn and Osgood pressed on
with all speed, over ground covered with an
incrustation Of snow and ice, which occasion.
ally afforded good footing, but often breaking,
and precipitating them on the rocks be 1eath
The party suffered much from thirst, but water
was found only at the Ledge. The air was
milder than had been expected, and the sun
shone in clear sky. OF the scene at the sum.
NIT, and the return, the Republican saws
" Arrived at the summit, the view is repro
sented as having been sublime beyond the
power of description. Mr.. Osgood averring
that in his many trips on to the mountain, he
never beheld SO extended, and yet so grand
and terrific view as burst upon them on that
lonely height. Measures were immedia ately
taken to enter the houses, which, as they were
covered with snow, was a labor of time. Un-
able to obtain ingress at the doors, they forced
their way through the windows, on which the
frost had formed q foot and one-half in thick
ness. The walls and all the furniture were
drared with some four inches of frost, and the
air was biting in the extreme
"lt was a dark tomb and lamp was neces-
sary In this snow-cave to enable the party to
distinguish the surrounding objects. As DELAY
was dangerous in the extreme, and having per-
fected their legal duty, the two prepared to re-
turn. Upon emerging from their houses, they
beheld to the south west q cloud rapidly in
creasing in volume, and rolling on toward
them. When first seen, il was small in mag.
nltude, but it increased in size with alarming
velocity, soon spreading over the entire South
They knew it was frost cloud, and that to be
caught in its folds would probably be fatal,
and they fastened to avoid it. They had lust
entered the woods at the base of the ledge,
when it came upon them So icy and pene.
trsting was its breath, that to have encoun.
tered its binding, freezing power on the un-
protected height, would have been to perish
with it as pail to cover them. The party
reached the Glen in safety, and were heartily
welcomed by their friends, who, we'll knowing
the danger attending this never-b before accom-.
plished feat, awaited them with much anxiety"