Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1874-06-10
Life on Pixies Peak During the
- Winter

few days ago Sergeant Il. W. Bou.
tclle, OF the United States Signal Ser
vice, passed through tho city on route
TO w Washington, where he is to receive
promotion. This gentleman has been
stationed at Colorado Springs in con-
nection with Pixies Peak Observatory,
since last July when that station was
formed. During this time he has had
many interesting experiences, both
upon the summit Of the mountain and
in tho construction of the limo from
Colorado Springs up the side Of the
peak. During his brief sojourn here
he detailed to news reporter some
points which may bc Of interest to the
public.
Tho telegraph line which reaches
from Colorado Springs to the summit
of Pixies Peak is twenty miles in
length. 1t passes along trail made
during the past year, which is far
more easy Of ascent than any of the
old routes. 1t is now possible to ride
an animal from the base of the noun
tain TO the signal station on the top of
the peak Mr.. Boutellc has been en-
gagged most of the time keeping the
line in repair, and, in the discharge Of
his duties, has made fifty-two ascents
of the mountain. He has passed one
hundred and forty-two times over the
government trail, moro frequently
than any other man, and is familiar
with every foot of the route. The
telegraph wires are stretched on poles
and along the dead pine trees. The
line gets out of repair frequently by
reason of trees falling and breaking
the wires The extreme cold at the
summit has also at times so contracted
the wire as TO break it.
Life on the summit OF Pixies Peak
during tho winter season is rather pre-
carious. With the thermometer over
thirty degrees below zero at times,
the wind blowing so strongly that ex-
posure TO IL is dangerous, the snow
driving in binding clouds, the expert.
cncc OF the observer stationed at that
great height was varied one, and
still fraught with tedious monotony
The signal station is substantial
stone edificc, and is occupied by three
officers, who manage the affairs Of the
Observatory at that end of the line.
During the winter Mr. Boutellc, in
going up the trail, wandered from the
route, and was lost for four days He
managed to make his way to the lake.
few miles from the summit, and
there remained in an old log house
with no food and only a sheet iron
stove, that happened to be there, in
which to make q fire. With bis
hatchet he endeavored to cut trail
through the snow for his mule, but il
was impossible, The strong wind filling
up the opening, and tho extreme cold
nearly freezing him TO death. AT the
end Of the four days the weather mod
Grated, and he got through to Jones
Ranch, eight miles from the summit
whore he was cared for The snow
in places up the trail is from five to
thirty feet in depth, many ravines be-
ing drifted full.
All the provisions are packed to the
summit from Colorado Springs, the
wood being obtained from tho edge OF
the timber line below the observatory.
Wood has cost the government as high
as s22 per cord, laid down atthe house.
In tho months of December and Janu-
airy it cost II cents per pound to pack
provisions from the Springs. Denuer
NelCS.