Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-08-23
Daily 8enurbrt yonrnd.
ruCKERMAN'S RAyiNE.
PERrLous DESCENT OVER THE FACE OF
A SHEER PREcIPICE.

a Mr.. William F. Gill, of Boston. states
that his descent over the giant cliffs, over
which flow 1.-The Thousand Streams i'll
Tuckerman's Ravine, Mount Washington,
was not an attempt to accomplish mover
and perilous feat, but was the result OF
accidental circumstances, which made the
descent in this way imperative. MT.
Gill's experience may be OF important
value in warning the unwary traveller
of the treacherous character OF the country
in this romantic region.
Mr.. Gill and his companion. young
man of 10 years, left the summit OF Mount
Washington at six O'Clock on the morning
Of the 18th inst, accompanied by an ex,
perienced guide. The party DESCENDED
over the rocks in the usual way, and IN
short time were in sight of the ravlne.
From the edge of the oyerhanging BANK
above, the snow deposit at the loot OF the
cliffs appeared less than three feet square
in size. and it seemed probable that the
snow arch, which the tourists had come
to behold, had been melted by the I'M
usually ardent August sun. Still nearer
approach to the snow was desirable III
order to satisfy the travellers. and as the
route to the snow patch, proposed by the
guide. was tedious and circultous one,
he was asked if the descent could not be
made by a grassy slope over which the
party was then standing, The guide
stated that the descent had never been
attempted in tibet way, but he thought
that it could be made.
Z The travellers accordingly took leave
of the guide and proceeded to descend
They had gone but short distance when
they discovered to their diSmay that an
impossible declivity, not visible from
the point above. prevented any further
descent by this slope. To return was
impossible, as the ground was soft
and yielding. affording no foothold in
ascending. The only course remaining
was to make for the precipice, which was
at least firmer, although insecure in de-
gree from the water covering and con-
stantly tricklng over it. There was, of
course no path over the huge boulders,
ard the travellers were frequently obliged
to slide down portions of the rocks which
did not permit of person standing in an
erect position. A miscalculation OF a
hairs breadth, would have sent the trav-
ellers headlong over the precipice into the
abyss below. but, fortunately, the descent.
although necessarily slow and fatiguing,
was accomplished safely. Had a wind
of any force been blowing, they
could not kept their places upon
the edge of the sheer and slippery preci-
pice, or had the water been deep, they
could not have defied its force. The con-
diitions for the hazardous feat were favor
able. and the disastrous result, otherwise
imminent, was miraculously averted. To
those familiar with this section of the
White Mountains, it may be interesting to
know that the distance from the summit to
the Glen House, by the route taken, was
accomplished in eleven hours and half.
The travellers were driven by special
conveyance to North Conway on their ar
rival at the Glen, and no serious result fol-
lowed the exposure and fatigue incident
to their experience.
The snow arch was found to be full a
hundred feet in length, and about twenty
feet in breadth. Authorities differ as to
the height of the precipice over which
trickle "The Thousand Streams" Some
place it as high as 2000 feet, while others
put the figures lower