The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1875-09-16
up PIKE.PEAK.
A scwickIey Divine SurmoHnts
The Trials and Dangers OF the
1scent--Tie Party--A Brave
English Lady-Thc Sn0w-cap-
ned Srrnif-A Quick Descent.

The following account of journey
to,the top Of Pike-peak was delivered
at the meeting on Wednesday night
at the First Presbyterian church, Sc
wickley, by the Rev. R. S. vanelcave;
Pike-peak, the FIRST peak Of the
Rocky mountains visible as you ap-
proach Denver by way of the Kansas
Pacific railroad, is the objective point
to every ambitious tourist. The
mountain appears in very dim out
line a. first, over a hundred miles east
of Denver. To the Impractical eye
j. would not be distinguishable from
the clouds. At first, indeed, l was
disposed to doubt the assertion that
it ras the famous Pike-peak. The
general interst in that object, howev-
er, manifested BY the passengers on
the train soon conquered my skepti-
cism and, after looking intently for a
few minutes, received that never
forgotten impression the Rocky
mountain monarch, which l had so
often heard travellers speak Of Now
in well-defned outline, covered with
snow, which, rejecting bright SUM
light, gave it the appearance Of 4
mantle of silver, and towering 1900
feet and more into the blue sky, Pike
peak, like an arant courier, or a gra-
cious ruler, eager to welcome us to his
dominions, stood out before us, grow
ing more and more distinct, more and
more grand, as we rolled on toward
the Wonderland in which he ac-
knowledges no rival. The snow on
Pike-peak gave it splcndor, but our
party feared that it would prove an
unapproachatlc splcndor, and impas-
sable barrier between us and the sum
nit; and so it would have done had
we attempted the ascent immediate
" on arrival in Colorado. Devoting
two weeks to sightseeing in other
parts among the silver and gold coun-
try about Georgetown and Central,
and up Clcarcreck and Virginia can
yons, and down Boulder, We delayed
an attempt at Pikc-pcak just long
enough for the trail from Monitor to
be fairly opened. Then VIC made our
arrangements, consisting principally
of final decision to endure the IA
tiguc and peril of the ascent. Our
horses were at hand, Saddled and bri-
died, at $50 4. N. on the memorable
day. There were six Of us: one a lady
who had come across the seas to visit
America, and who in her enthusiasm
and courage, was q match for US all.
Montgomery, Ala, St. Louis, Mo-,
Coleraine, Ireland, Hazleton, Pa,
Ocnvcr Cd. and PittSburr. Pa. were
the favored localities represented in
the Pike-peak party. 1t took but a
moment to mount our ponies, wave
our farewclls to the deeply interest
cd, not TO say anxious, little compa-
ny who had come down at that early
hour to sec US of.
The only limit to our speed as We
turned toward the railup the noun
tain, distant about a mile from our
hotel, was the ability of our Stccds,
and of this had no heart to write
The trail was reachcd-in the course
of time, and the ascent began; and 1t
seemed but moment before we were
hard at work. An advance of more
than few yards without stopping to
rest our ponies was out of the ques-
ton. But this was no hardship, for
at each rest for two or three miles up
the mountain the view became gram
der and grander Facing the peak to
our left we looked into canyon, deep,
wild, beautiful: above us were many
of the enormous rocks which consti.
tute such an important feature OF
Colorado scenery; and when we turn
cd around facing the valley, We look
cd far over the plains into ''the Jor
dan of the gods" to the left, and down
into the Mamitou, beyond into Color
ado city, and over into Colorado
springs. After about an hour o.
climbing, one of the party remarked
that We must be nearly up the noun
tain, and we were-only about Sly
hours more of time, and ten mile:
more of distance remaining before
the summit would be reached. The
American may be an impatient race
Int il is very well when il assume: