Newbern weekly progress., 1862-10-18
AIpine Climbing.

A private letter received from Chamounix
describes recent glacier adventures in that
neighborhood
Since the 9th instant there has been, in con.
sequence Of the favorable change in the wealth
er, q rush OF travellers Russians, Germans,
French, English and Amcricans-t to this charm
ing locality. For fortnight the weather has
been most caprcious |; here, as in other parts
Of Switzerland, heat and cold, sun and rain,
have been most provokingly coquetting with
each other. However, for week or ten days
the weather has been. with slight variations,
beautifully fine, and the hotels and tbier de-
psndencies have consequently been most disa.
greeably crammed with tourists. Mont Blanc
has looked glorious and grand during the last
week. In the present season there have been
twelve successful ascents Of the Monarch OF
Mountains" without an accident. In cOnse,
quencs, however, Of recent and heavy fall OF
snow on the whole range Of mountain peaks,
the members Of the Alpine Club, and other
adventurous and ambitious tourists, have not
thought it prudent 10 attempt the summit ol
Mont Blanc.
A few days back, regardless Of the fall ol
snow, two plucky young gentlemen (sons Of
Dr. Forbes Winslow), accompanied by guides,
ventured to ascend the lmountain, but only
succeeded in reaching the Grand Mulcts, re.
turning to Chaniounix late the same evening.
Any further ascents Of Mont Blanc on that day
would have been extremely dangerous, in con.
sequence Of the great fall Of snow that he'd
taken place on the previous night. An acci
ten; occurred within the last week in this
neighborhood, which providentially did not re
suit in sad loss Of valuable life. Mr.. Long.
man, the well known London publisher, was
eros sing with bis son, +. W. Longman, one OF
he glaciers between Chamounix and the Tete
Noire. su ldenly young Longnan disappeared
ron the groupe. An immediate and ANXIOUS
search was made for him. Tho guides were
not long in discovering that the unfortunat,
gentleman had fallen down deep crevasse
Oae Of the guides being tied by a rope was
lowered into the crevasse, and on reaching Mr.
Longman he seized him by the collar Of hi,
coat, they were both pulled up portion
of the way. The horror of his father can wei
be conceived when he saw the guide come t,
the surface Of the ice alone. He was able t.
drag Mr.. Longman up q certain height, but il
consequence oil his great weight be was obligec
to let 90 his hold, Mr.. Longman falling stl
deeper into the crevasse.
A rope and strap was then lowered to Mr.
Loagnan, and he was requested to place th'
latter round bis body. This he replied be wal
unable to do, in consequence Of the benumbe,
state Of his hands, The oher and. slronge
guide then descended by means Of the rop'
into the crevasse, and happily succeeded il
bringing Mr.. Longman's son safe to the sur
face, very little, If at all injured. A fata
accident occurred to youth while crossing
the Gemmi. Tie mule Of which he was rid
ing slipped over the side Of the road, and tn,
unhappy young man "a peasants SOM wal
hurled down ir ghtful height, and dashed t.
pieces. AT Geneva the weather has been We
for nearly three weeks. Notwithstanding tn
rain all the, hotels have been crowded. A
Zerhatt for short period the weather ha
been favorable, and the Ribble and Gornel
Graf have had o succession Of visitors A
Thur and Interlackcn the wet weather ha
greatly interfered with the enjoyment Of trav
ellers Many tourists are going into Italy
hoping to,run into fine weather, and, to bash
in warm and sunny days Very few Amcri
cans are travelling in Switzerland this year
and nearly all these are Northerners.