The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-17
GLEN HOUSE, WHITE MOUNTAINS, N. H., |
July Ia. 1865.

ASCENT OF MOUNT WASHINGTON.
TO sojourn at the base of the White Mountains
for several days and not ascend any part of them
would be SO hetorodox that your correspondent
resolved to join the noble army of excursionsts to
those fascinating heights soon as a favorable
opportunity should present itself. favorable
opportunity! Aye, there was the rub. BY this
phrase intended an unclouded day, not too cold
nor windy. So caprcious, however, is the weather
In the mountains that, literally, does not
know what even an hour may bring forth in the
Way of climatic and meteorological changes.
After letting slip one favorable opportunity, and
waiting in vain for another, determined to take
my chance this morning and make the ascent.
Accordingly at nine o'clock started, in com.
pany with ten other excursionists including the
driver, in long and spacious wagon, drawn by
team of six fine horses, for the summit of Mount
Washington, the highest peak of the White Noun
tains, for nothing less would satisfy the ambition
ef this correspondent than the attainment of the
Featsst elevation.
MERRY COMPANIONS.
Ny fellow travellers consisted Of an equal num-
Der Of ladies and gentlemen. One of the former
Was comedy, heavy, buxom dame, far advanced
d What Cockncy lady's maid, who happened
. have spent . week at Paris, would term the
e~sbongpong. She was accompanied by two pretty
daughters; and the trio were under the guardian
chip Of pater. familias. who looked like q solid,
well-to-do man Of business. This family was the
lifs and soul OF our little party, enlivenng the
1rsary way with "quips and cranks and wreathed
miles.' relieved with frequent shouts Of hilarious
laughter. without which the misery we all had to
endure would have been intolerable.
THE START.
We we're soon leaving the Glen House, with its
Background Of hills, covered with dark frs, at .
respectable pace. This was not destined to con.
einue, as the road soon began to rise abruptly;
and soon after we passed the first mile post we
came to part of the road that was exceedingly
steep. In fact, the driver informed US, II 10 the
steepest, though by no means the worst, portion
Of the route; for, though the declivity was great
and trying to the horses the way was smooth.
We were now In dense pine Forest ntermngled
with oak, ash and other deciduous trees. which
protected us from the strong wind which was then
blowing.
NECESSARY MOUNTAIN COSTUME.
AT starting the atmosphere was rather foggy,
especially up the MONTANA, but the temperature
was comparatively mild. This was soon to be
changed, however; and had reason to bless my
lucky stars that had taken extraordinary precau.
lions against the cold that might be probably en-.
eountered. In addition to two coats, not to men.
zion tripcate OF another useful garment In which
wool played conspicuous part your correspond.
ent chartered q comfortable overcoat from the
porter Of the Glen House, while the clerk very CON
siderately lent him woollen scarf for the neck.
mention these details by way of hints for future
~xcursisnists to these regions.
JoLLrTY UNDER DIFFICULTIES.
We were soon enveIoped in the fog, which, began
20 condense into light drizzle; upon which the
driver let down the cover Of the wagon, which
had been triced up, and we proceeded merriy
on our journey. This pleasant state Of things
however, was too good TO last, and shortly after
making the third me-post the wind began 10
freshen up In such manner-the force being no
longer broken by the trecs-that we had to trice
up our awning again, precisely as II is done at
on the approach of a squat. IL was now cold; but
this TO have had the effect Of raising the spi-
rts OF the girls, who declared that IL was jolly,"
"tiptop" and First rate" Like Mark TapIey.