Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23
Mount Washington.

MAKING THE ASCENT IN WINTER. -
Leaving Lancaster Wednesday forenoon,
Jan. 18th, in company with Fred Froth-
ingham and George Piper, Of Boston, en-
countering wind and Snow drifts only sur
/ passed by Mt. Washington, we stopped at
the White Mountain House for dinner and
! exchange Of horses, then drove in to the
/ Base which We reached at $50 p. NJ. Ser
geant Dellosher had been down from the
Summit to meet us and Luther Holden, of
the Boston Journal, who went in early.
They waited for us till past two O'Clock,
but deeming 1t unsafe 60 wait longer. left
Tor the Summit. We spent the night at
the Base and were Hospitality entertained
at the log cabin. Next morning at $50
we started for the top ria. the railroad
track, made short stop at Waumbek
shanty. One mile up the snow was quite
deep In spots, until we reached Jacobs
Ladder; from there up the velocity of the
wind increased every minute, making it
all we could do to keep our footing on the
sleepers. At the old car we made short
stop, and again at the Gulf shanty, or
Mixes house, here we found that De-
Kosher and Holden had been obliged to
pass the night before, the wind being so
severe they could not go farther. The
wind increasing and temperature falling,
now came the last struggle. We found,
upon reaching Lizzie Bourne monument,
owing to the horseshoe shape of the
road, that the northwest wind, which had
helped us along blew directly in our
faces, and we were frequently blown out
of our course and only saved ourselves by
the long, BRAIDED poles we carried. The
observatory was reached at 1920, and
much surprised were they to see us, not
supposing we could make the ascent that
day, nor should we have attempted it had
we known how bad it was. Mercury six
degrees below zero, wind eighty miles
and increasing. Two of us were slightly
frozen, but thanks to DeRosher and King,
we were soon all right, and made to feel
at home. The records show that but three
ascentS of the Mount were ever made III
so severe weather as we encountered.
We all felt to thank God that we, not
knowing our peril, got safely through.
At 8 p. NJ mercury indicated twenty three
degrees below, wind, l25 miles and
! increasing. We retired ut past twelve,
but were unable to get much sleep, owing
to the wind. cannot better describe TIE
noise than did Mr.. Piper. Just imagine
half Il dozen jig-saws in a small room,
and you have about the sound. Each
minute it seemed as if the house must be
swept over the mountain. The observers
say it was the worst night they ever knew
on Mt. Washington wind 40 miles.
Eight p ~, 18th, mercury thirty-three be-
low; 10 a. NJ, thirty-four below; 1880
went out doors; DcR0shcr attempted to
crawl on his hands and knees around the
house, but was blown back by the wind;
the estimated pressure is ninety-eight
pounds to the square foot. The most beau
tiful froSt-Work ever seen was cut off from
the barrels by the door and melted for
water. II NJ. thirty-fve degrees below;
1890, thirty-one below; barometer rising;
centre of storm passed; wind from n.
W.; 4.45, twenty-five degrees below: sun
out; can just creep out around the house.
That night we witnessed Il most beauti-
full sunset and cloud view. Wind now
blowing in gusts 100 miles, then lulling to
perfect calm. The observers say it is
blowing itself out. Ten T.. N. all went
out for u moonlight view; mercury 10
below.
Next morning the mercury indicated ten
below, wind eighty miles, most beautiful
sunrise, perfectly clear. Portland harbor
and Massachusetts bay distinctly seem
This is my twelfth visit, and all | have
ever seen before is as nothing compared
to the night of the 18th and following
morning. After breakfast, the wind hay
ing intircly died out, we again went out
and spent two hours travelling about the
top enjoying the beautiful views.
The barometer indicating another storm,
we deemed it best to make the descent.
We had intended to stay another day
Here let me say that never has it been our
fortune to meet with friends who ac-
corded US more cordial welcome
or did more to make our visit pleasant,
than VIM. Line, Fred DeRoshcr, and
Charles J. King, the Mount Washington OBJ
servers, -gentlemen in every sense of tie
word.
At - VI. (mercury one above Zcro), King
going with us, we began the descent,
which we safely made, taking it very easy,
in something over three hours. From the
foot of Jacobs Ladder King and myself
took snow shoes and went by the old
Fabyan bride path. Reached the White
Mountain House for supper, bringing with
us Mr.. Holden, of the JGHrROI. At 6 p.
NJ. left for home ria. Cherry Mountain,
which we reached at $50; mercury fifteen
below zero. 18th, 10 A. NJ, the following
dispatch was received:
"SUMMIT MOUNT ENTHUSIASTICALLY
wind one hundred miles an hour, and the
temperature twenty-five below; good
thing that you started yesterday .-FRED.
L. Il. KENT.