The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-11-25
A Perllous Ascent.

The celebrated South Dome Of the 70.
semitic is well known, and it has hitherto
been asserted that to reach its summit was
an impossibility. On Sept 1J'both visit
ors and residents in the valley were thrown
into state OF excitement upon it being
made known that Scotchman named
George Anderson, formerly a sailor, had
actually accomplished this wonderful and
daring feat. Very few believed the tale.
and those who had already seen the South
Dome utterly denied that the feat was
within the limit of possibility. A party
of the English tourists concluded that they
would Judge for themselves by visiting
the spot. Those who have been there
know the kind of riding necessary to
reach the base of the mountain, which rises
some 5000 feet above the level of the val
ley. The news spread like wildfre that
the Britishers would attempt the ascent at
six a. m. on Saturday, the 10th of Sep
TENDER. A party of eleven adventures,
headed by George Anderson, started from
Blacks hotel upon their seven miles ride
up the precipitous height, past the Vernal
and Nevada Falls, and struck the littlc-fre-
quented trail to South Dome. On reach.
ing the heavy masses Of fallen granite
known ~ the CameIs Back" they dis
mounted, and after brief rest few CON-
menced the dangerous climb to the foot of
the dome. The Scotchman arrived first.
As the party assembled at the foot of an
almost perpendicular rock, which is, &C.
cording to Prof. Whitney's calculation, at
least 100 feet high, they looked with
dismay at the journey before them.
George Anderson then explained that as
he climbed lie had bored holes in the rock,
and inserted iron eyc-bolts. To these eye
bolts he had secured rope, and those who
would venture to climb, holding the rope
with their hands and pressing the rock
with their feet, might do so, providing
their strength held out, in perfect safety.
good fun walking up walls, but they
"didn't feel like trying Anderson,
however, with cheer, went ahead. There
was q moments hesitation, then, with a
shout of enthusiasm. some of the crowd
rushed forward to the rope. 1t was first
secured by two young Engllsllmcn named
Robinson, who rapidly commenced the
escalade; they were followed by another
rejoicing in the name of Cannon. Then
Mr.. Moreland, an American, assembled,
followed closely by West guide from
the valley These were allowed to
work their way up, lest the rope
should break. Mr.. Licdig, of the valley,
then went up, followed by Mr.. Groom, an
other English tourist. Anderson now
looked like fly crawling in the distance
as he rapidly distanccd his followers,
shouting words of encouragement as they
cautiously made their way upward. Some
times they stopped, holding on convul.
sively to the rope and the eyebolt until
they could continue up the dizzy height.
Mr.. Lledig turned sick, and with diff
Guilty returned, swearing that tor all the
dollars in California he could not have
gone further. The spectators now waited
nervously for those who had gained the
summit, and were soon relieved from their
anxiety by hearing the report of Vests
revolver, which was to Ike the signal OF
their safety. They now commenced to
Chamber painfully down the "Camefs
cared to make the ascent. There beingnO
trail, each had to make one for himself.
Seueral had narrow escapes. Mr.. Groom,
after an involuntary roll Of some fifteen
or twenty feet, suddenly found himself
looking over a precIpice between two
and three thousand feet deep into the val
lev below. Hc had slidden so far down
the rock that, without the aid of ropes,
he could not return. To advance was
almost certain death of a most horrible
nature. None understood the terrible i'm
port of his cries for help. His sole sup
port was narrow ledge of granite, to
which he held on with the grim tenacity
OF man who fights for life: But his
strength could not last, and with loud
cry he rolled headlong down, down, as he
believed, into eternity. But in throwing
his arms forward as he fell they slid into
a crevice by which he held on. Here lie
was able to take advantage Of a slope in
the rock, and with the calves of his legs
and his hands he worked himself down
ward to a firm footing. He atterward
reached the base Of the mountain IN safe
ty. We think that one, at least, t these
Englishmcn will remember the ascent OF
the South Dome. Soon after this incident
George Anderson and the adventures
who had followed him returned safely.
Three cheers were given, and the party
commenced the descent to the valley An
derson has performed feat which has
scarcely parallel in any country: A
subscription has already been opened for
his benefit in the valley in order to enable
him to build secure staircase for those
who will in future ascend the Dome un-
der his guidancc.-Snn Francisco Chrvn-