Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-09-04
The summit of Mount Hood.

The Portland (OregOn) Bulletin, of the nth
instant, has graphic description of q journey
made by party of OregOnians to the summit of
Mount Hood. The struggle to reach the summit
AID the scene from the Top of this old voc mo is
thus described:
&" Imagine our disappointment when at the
appointed hour for our breakfast we arose from
our hard beds and found that the moisture in
the atmosphere indicated rain, storm, &c. We
were Lot the least mistaken in our conjecture5
since VIC were scarcely engaged in slipping our
coffee when the huge drops OF rain fell, and, AS
1t were, cast gloom over the whole scene; since
rainy, snowy day is not just what one desires
when about to ascend one of the highest peakes
in the Cascade Range. After waiting several
hours surrounding our camp fire in the effort TO
keep partially dry, We finally discovered signs of
clear weather, and at X O'Clock the last shower
passed over Us. At fifteen minutes past O'Clock
we started out for the highest rock to be found
on that venerable old pile of snow and rock, the
admiration of all visitors OF this western coast.
We found our work quite pleasant for the first
mile or two, the ascent being very gradual and
the snow somewhat soft, and consequently rem.
dered our foothold easy. We soon found the air
grow lighter, which rendered il somewhat diff
cult for soDa0 our party to breathe. Having
ascended about two miles, one OF our party
found 1t impossible to 60 further, and having
viewed the enternal heights he b.de the rest
goodbye and returned TO camp. From this
point upward our progress was slow, being nero
steep and the snow more crusted. At every
turn our gaze was one of admiration and beauty.
AS we looked to the east, the whole OF eastern
oregon lay mapped out before us. Mount JEFF
ltIeOu apptdreu IN the distance. WITH It's garD
of white standing out in bold relief against the
fields of dark green of the fir and cedar foliage.
The clouds which but short time before were
above us, now began to appear below u.s. and as
we continued our upward journey we soon real
ized that we were indeed above the clouds.
The scene was indescr badly grand as we gazed
toward the south; tho light feather-like clouds
seemed TO be rolled upon each other, with an
occasional roll or cone pointing to the heavens,
and thus the scene varied until words failed to
SCENE OF INDRsoRIBABLE GRANDEUR.
At this point the photographer closed his diary.
ber's-could do justice to the varying grandeur
of the sc enc that from this stage onward me. the
gaze OF the mountsineers. Below them the
clouds stretched out like an unknown and
beautiful land; above them the peak in solitary
magnihcence. The ascent had, by this time,
become dangerous enough to resort to the guid-
iDg-rOpe, and the party went up in Alpine
fashion. They reached the crater, after can
siderable exertion, and gszed into it and across
1t; estimated its diameter at about one hundred
teet. Snlphuric fumes were uncomfortsbly
perceptible, and several times the party saw
a simmer, which satisfied them that the
volcanic signs of the mountain have not
entirely died out. The party wendell their
way round the crater, and in due
time found themselves safely on the summit.
ing the words "we reached this summit at noon
on the 18th August, 1865" and with several
names subscribed. They remained on the top
about half an hour, unfurled the Stars and
Stripes from the loftiest peak, and left in a tin
case, as a memento OF their visit, their names
and copies OF the Bulletin of August l. and
other papers. As they were depending they
"Wednesday, August 81 visited the williamette
valley, but experienced none of its effects. The
spectacle was startling in its grandeur and SUBJ
Unity: The storm cloud was. in a sense, at
tneir rect, and they saw the forked lightning
dart hither and yon, and heard the terrible roll
and crash OF the thunder.