Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-02-16
Mt isffiiamfuas.
Mount Warrington in Winter.
ny DIR, II. A. CUTTING.

Hampshire, is 6,293 feet ia height ahd sit
uated in 44e IT, %" north latitude. Ao-
cording TO the best authorities, this gives a
climate which corresponds with that of the
middle Of Greenland, aud its elevation above
surface winds throws its summit into the
great polar air currents, which bring frost,
ice, snow, and the most terrific wind storms
ever known, giving the observers there the
winter frigldity Of the north pole in the
midst Of terrible gales; sometimes even
reaching the velocity Of 160 miles per hour
The signal station on Pixies Peak is more
elevated, but the records Of the signal SER
vice show that the temperature here is twice
as low; while the wind storms are doubly |
severe. Winter visitors to the White Noun.
tains are rare, and as consequence all the |
summer hotels arc closed, aud the winter |
visitor can only make safe ascent from the |
western side. A branch of the Boston, Con-
cord and Montreal railroads, now connect
at the base of Mount Washington with the
Mount Washington railroad; but in the
winter time they do not run trains nearer
than the Fabyan house which is six miles
from the base Of the mountain. At this
place small winter hotel is keptby Mr..
Lindsey the proprietor Of the Fabyan house.
and the railroad hands and occasional visi-
tors find here ample accommodations.
AT noon, one sunny day the present win.
ter, with the thermometer at zero, Prof. j.
IL. Huntington, Of Boston university aud
myself took passage behind span of black
horses furnished by the proprietor of the
Fabyan house, for the base Of the mountain.
The atmosphere was clear, almost beyond
precedent, and as we neared the mountain
every object upon its summit stood out with
q clearness of definition we had never before
seen, while with the adjacent peaks of JEFF
ferson, Adams and Madison, they threw
back from frost aud snow, such vivid no.
Elections that the eyes in a few minutes would
be dazzled with the brightness Of reflected
light. At the base we concluded to walk
up the track of the Mount Washington rail-
rway aud soon with our coats strapped upon
our backs we were en-route for the summit
distant about three miles, and the elevation
to be overcome from this point about $500
feet. Prof. Huntington, the pioneer of the
White Mountain observers, claimed the
right to carry some fifteen pounds Of turkey
and other supplies that were intended for a
surprise to the observers at the summit.
With slight show Of resistance, but inward
qualification, yielded the load to him, much
to his sorrow afterwards. Starting off on
this journey at almost the Steepest grade on
the road, over trestle bridge which spans
the head waters of the Ammonoosuc, some
thirty feet in height, covered with ice aud
snow, was somewhat abating to our courage,
but with full determination to win we
pressed forward. La ono hour we had ac-
compllshed the first mile reaching an old
house used by the workmen that built the
railroad and known as the Waumbeck station.
After a short rest, during which we could
hear the ominous whistle Of the wind above
us and mark an approaching cloud of frost
that threatened to obscure the summit, we
pressed onward. As we passed the limit
of vegetation, its outskirts were covered
with that beautiful frost work which has
been so often described in vain, as no posi-
Bile description can convey to another its ex-
traordinary beauty. 1t can never be appre-
ciated unless seen. Soon we were in clouds
of frost, and the cold rapidly increased.
We toiled onward, using our staff, and feet
with great care as we crept over Jacobs
ladder. so called, thirty feet high, and the
higher trestle also Ice and snow were below
aud around US, as We were 10 the midst of
a cloud with severe wind Our cold tea
with which we were provided, was in requi
sition, and we drank heartily. BY the way
all persons ascending this mountain should
take cold tea for drink, and never use
spirits. While the tea wonderfully strength.
ems and removes fatigue, spirit at once ener.
Yates and seems to destroy the energy nee.
essary to accomplish the ascent We were
vera tired ; the professors load seemed to
weigh forty pounds, and he was quite will
ling to strap the turkey to my back. |
quietly submitted, but inwardly wished the
turkey in salt water. We were now at
Lloyd's house, so called, which is an old car
fixed up at the side of the track for com.
parative observations, and about one mile
from the summit. We were still 10 the
cloud and with the increased cold and wind,
the very marrow Of our bones seemed to
shake My companion said he was not
freezing, but the palor Of his face and his
tremulous voice made me fear for him, and
parted with my mittins lined with lamb g
wool for his knit mttns, when he admitted
that with his he should freeze his fingers.
My fingers soon presented remonstrance,
rendered more painful upon warming them.
We soon left the railroad track, and crowded
on as best we could over the ice, covered
with frost, which prevented slipping, and
when within half mile of our destination
emerged from the frost cloud. The wind
| ha;n oh
hour, and thermometer Is" below zero, but
we were out Of the frost and could breathe
easier; our approach was noticed and Sergt.
Lines came out aud piloted us to his noun.
tain home. The comforts of warmth and
rest we're never more enjoyable.
The United States signal service have
two observers at this station, viz: Sergt.
William Lines and Assistant Chas j. King.
Their residence il q one-story building tied
down to the rocks with three braces of eight
inch timber on either side that lie fat upon
the roof, being fastened at the ridge and ex.
tending to the solid rock Of the mountain
where they are bolted down. The house
itself is a firm structure with double win
dows, and thrbble doors made for durability
and warmth, not beauty. There are FIVE
rooms all upon the ground floor. Three Of
them two Of which are sleeping rooms) are
warmed by two large coal stoves. 1t takes
about fifteen tons Of coal, at cost on the
summit, of fifty dollars per ton, to warm
them during the year. They are required to
take observations six times daily, recording
direction and velocity of wind, amount and
velocity OF clouds, amount of snow and rain
| and anv other atmosnheric nhenomenon