New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-08-01

the drifts which half bury the signal station, TO the
snug and comfortable rooms inside and
hospitable welcome. la two hours We had rested
and were ready for orr return. Fortunately, during
tins time the fog had greatly broken, and occa-
sionally lifting free, grand and iar-roaculug
views of the plains and mountan-ranges beneath
Descending the parks TO the south aud west, the
distant peaks of the snowy range We're opened 10
view. and the gr.at altitude which we had gained
while shut in by the fog, for the first time fully
realized Ia our way down we found, also far above
the snow line aud IN sunny southerly exposed spots
many tiny flowers i'm full bloom, brilliant in Color
and 50 closely and firmly set on the crou'd tha' no
mountain blast could possibly uproot thein. me
descent was made without incident or difficulty ana
Just at sunset the whole party, with one exception
in good order and clad of their experience, drew
rein and dlsmountcd slowly, very slowly, at the
hotel in Mauitou. The missing man returned safely
the next day. paid for all his delay 10y perfect sun
rise from the summit.
The correct elevation Of Pixies Peak, determined
by a series Of levels last year. is 411O ieet-a little
less than is usually gwen IN guide books Manitou
is 600 50 that the actual ascent Of the mountain
is about 5000 feet The signal station at the SEM
nit is occupied all the year round and there is some
prospect that the Coast Survey will this season es-
tab'ish station upon the Peak. Sergeant Hobbs,
who has had nearly two years duty observer
here. is one Of the most competent and intelligent
men I'm the service. and has had some interesting
and dangerous experiences. The Geographic CON
nection with the outside world is maintained, but
daily reports are not forwarded. Regular obserVa-
tous are taken and recorded of all tie metcoroogi-
cal conditions. and once week results are trans
uittcd to Washington. The purpose OF the
station is rather experimental than immcdatel1
practical. and its work is TO gather data
which can only he obtained at this highest inhabited
pout of thc globe. Though the observer and his as
s-trt .til speak OF the present season Is Winter,
cold here is never as intense on Mount Washing
ton, OF i'm many lower localities further North; 2s0
below zero having been the lowest last Winter.
March, April and May usually tho severest
months. though nearly all the snow now ON the
mountain fell on tic 7th of June. The house in
which these two hcrmts OF the upper air live is Of
stone with walls two feet thick, and contains three
roons Wood is used for fuel and, with all the supplies
for months OF Winter must be packed 10 the sum
nit ON mules during the early Fail and Winter
Though the air the unrest, and usually dry The Ser
geant saws that he does not consider MS place oil
residence healthy an opinion which will pfoba-
by have no effect oD the real estate market in this
vicinity. The average elevation of the barometer
here is only 1910 mchcs and ~ the light and rare
atmosphere the pulse is accelerated, Che amount oil
sleep is diminished. and the human machine wears
out faster The average rate Of ne pulse in healthy
visitors at the summit IS from 10 to 40 per min
ute.
For the benefit Of those who may have The inclina-
tion AMI opportunity TO ascend Pixies Peak permit
one or two suggestions. Port try II unless You
have good lungs and good g. If these, either or
both, are weak, 20 up Gray's Peak or NJ. Lin
coin. which may be assembled nearly To the top by
Wagon-road ii YOU are sound 10 wind aud loot,
Guide ma. be dispensed with. ard a carnage may
take Won 10 tne gate Of Bear Creek Canon, cutting
Oft Eve miles or more Of tine journey from Manitou
or Colorado Springs. From this point You viii
follow the trail without trouble, and on foot
nearly a rapidly as on horseback. Indeed, |
question whether an ordinarily good walker
would not make ;he Trip more quickly and
easily than an ordinarily poor ho>cman,
as most tourists are. go ia August September, il
practicable. when horse, NAV be ridden to the
summit and ladies' frequently make the ascent
without difficulty. Our trip was one of the first 81
tie season and entirely too early to avoid The great
body Of snow. Wear stout shoes, suitable for climb
iuQ. and take no brandy alcoholic stimulaut-.
Guides and experienced moUurainecrs discard them,
MS their use is likely to induce nausea and trouble
more serious than the faHtncss they are intended 90
relieve. Finally. do not fail TO ask the signal
sergeant the three questions which he says are
almost inevitable from every visitor: isn't II
pretty cold mp here sometimesW doesn't the
wind blow hard sometmcsY and, Aren't you lone
some up here sOmetmeST