The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-12
The United States Geological Surveying Expe-
lition in the Rocky Mountains.
THE AMERICAN ALPS.
Successful Ascent to the SnOw-Capped
Summit Of the Highest Teton.
SNOWFALL MELEE IN JULY.
CAMP UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
AuSuat 1870


correspondent, traed the main party for 100 miles,
accomplishing the march In four days. Our route
lay over level country, until reaching the north
fork of Snake River, after the f0rding OF which we
proceeded over fine rolling country, the hisides
being occasionally covered with growth OF 'quak-
ing aspens''-an unusual and grateful sight in con-
trast to the mountain pines, the predominant tim
Der OF this region Many were the pleasant talks as
our spall party gathered round the camp 1re-the
Doctor, just from the States, telling of the
stirring events from civilized parts, news well
come as coming from home and yet seeming almost
unreal. alternating as they did with the tales of
wild adventure of mountain life related by our
guide. We found the Survey encamped at the en-
trance of the canyon leading to the Tetons It's
beautiful location, the green hills shutting In the
valley on either side. with the snow bound range
closing In and forming the background, together
with the sharp granite peaks piercing the clouds,
rising above ALL and forming scene grand beyond
description. The camp itself Is picturesque, the
white tent and flies dotting the green valley, to-
gether with the Indian jepee OF our guide and
bowers Of pine branches improvised by the boys.
launches Of bear and moose can be seen suspended
to the trees or hung in long strips over poles being
cured In the sun for future use. Such was the pic
ture that spread before as we rose the hill
approaching our destination. The mail distributed
with the commssarry, we were
DINED ON BEAR STAKES,
the first fresh meat we had eaten for two weeks
and were content to rest the following day under
the cool shade after our long ride. Saturday, July
81, was spent In organizing and fitting out the
party for the great event of the Summer, the at
tempt to scale the highest of the Teton peaks, and
your correspondent congratulated himself on his
arrival the day BEFORE enabling him to form one of
the adventurous band. The next morning tho
party OF fourteen set out from camp, James
Stevenson, late Captain United States Army, In
command; Professor Bradley, Geoioglst; Mr.. Tag
CART, assistant; Mr. Becker, Topographer; Mr..
Hamp assistants Mr. Coulter, Botanist; Mr.. West,
Meteorologst; Mr.. Langford, Ex-Governor of
Montana and superintendent Of the Yellowstone
National Parks DIR. Curtis DR.. Rcagles, Messrs.
Adams, Spencer. Keyser and Sherman. We
followed the canyon for nine miles, winding
in and out among the pines, crossing streams and
quagmires gradually rising all the time. AS we
proceeded into the gorge the scenery became more
rugged. The bounding hills gave place to walls of
perpendicular granite rising 1000 feet above US,
broken into cascades, their never-ceaslng roar
breaking the quiet Of the scene. Reaching point
which i was s to TAKE the wtS
other member Of the party, assembled mountain
some three thousand feet above where we were as
us, and the view gave us foretaste OF what was
realized the next day. The sides of the canyon were
lined with snow, and the foamng stream coursed
below, sweled by the drppings nom the "Aibion
heights" We continued our climb till chasm 200
feet lmpeded our progress, and the setting sun
SNOWFALL FIGHT IN JULY.
We found some Of the boys engaged In snow
At hal-past four the next morning the party were
aroused by the cold, the Thermometer showing a
hour later we had taken up the line of march,
each one having selected stout stat to assist his
climbing and provided himself with two slices OF
bread interliiIed with slice OF bacon for his noon.
day repast. We continued up the canyon some two
miles. climbing over fallen timber till reaching
docliyity, scrambing over the rocks. Here the
plateau that lay between us and the first ridge;
above a sea- level Pipes followed and as we rested
preparing for the crossing or the stretch OF snow,
we contemplated the scene below US. We were
now above the plateaus that crowned the walls OF
the canyon had lett, aud as far as the eye could
reach huge fields Of snow gstened under the
TRULY ALPINE IN CHARACTER.
We commenced our march through the snow and
for neatly two miles we plodded on our slippery
way. rhe surface, when IN melted state, had been
sea tipped with white caps. Frozen solid during
the night these Icy ridges offered but insecure
! quence, despite the supporting staff. The second
ridge, the sole remaining obstacle to our view OF
the Tetons now rose In front and one almost de,
|
rockets still above OF ever crossing the summit,
but an encouraging wave of the hat by Captain
| Stevenson, who was O mile ahead OF the party and
| already on the ridge, made us renew our efforts,
| and stif chmb o. an hour up the loose fragments
OF rock accomplished the feat
NEW BEAUTIES GROWING IN GRANDEUR
seemed destined to burst upon US at every step,
but the that next presented itself capped the
climax. canyon 800 ieet deep, with Its valley GOV.
cred with snow, and in places raised to height of
200 feet by the wind sweeping up the gorge, sepa.
rated US from Its companion tange on the crest Of
reared themselves, and the highest of which was
our objective point and greatest ambition to reach.
debris, one false step on Which would have been
certain death, entrusted ourselves to slide OF
gravel and rocks and slid down OF an angle OF forty
| 1--WE degrees, amid an avalanche OF accompany ing
stones Reaching the upper edge OF snow our dc.
scent became even more rapid as we gli1.eIi ovSr
| its frozen surface. Cur Alpine str,cs how stood
us In good steed in checking Cur too rapid descent
and some Of the party We're reminded OF oui
| climbing in switzerland. crossing the "sIey Oh 4
mile In width we assembled first the snow ana ,aSi
sa 5sR aG nqS nssas
| ing up at the solid mass OF granite, with Its for
bidding and almost perpendicalar s'Hes' ana
| 5000 feet above where we stood, SOME OF tue
" d Vet and S % S Sne 81 tI win os
jectycs-eyen superlatives-lose their force when
APPLIED 10 its description. Familiar with Alpine
could rival it. There il a vastness a desoation,
feeling OF loneliness In Rocky Mountain scenery not
10 De realized IN the more picturesque Alps. Con-
tinuing along the same ridge some distance, o
short descent brought our party Of mountain
climbers toa
LAKE COVERED WITH ICE FIFTEEN FEET THICK,
OF dark green color at an altitude Of 10, 200 feet
long slide or snow extended up the side oil the
peak, and along its crest they climbed on hands
and knees for 1000 feet This enabled them to
reach ledge OF rock known as the Saddle" and
on Its secure surface they rested gathering new
energy or the terrific effort TO scale the GROWING
head Another Slide Of snow then presented Its
frozen edge as the only means OF ascent. 1t was
separated from the rocks by q vacant space left
by the melting o.! the snow, some ten feet IN WIDTH
Cutting foothold, step by step they
gained perpendicular rise OF rock which
Captain stevenson, clingng to rock with both
arms his feet suspended in air, valnly endeavorng
OF one thousand icet was the alternative o: letting
go his hold. His muscular force alone saved him,