Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-09-20
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UNDER THE SNOW

In passing from Chill to the Ar gen.
tine Republic, the lofty Andes present
an almost insurmountable barrier.
There are but two points throughout
the whole extent of that country where
travel can be nndertaken5 with any
certainty of successful Termination.
One of these is situated in the valley of
sAconcagua, Is by far the more popular
route. The other, near Tome, though
shorter is 10 ore precipitous. and diff
cult Of passage.
For six months of the year both these
passes are closed by the almost perpet-
ual snow storms which prevail, and it
often happens that, during the sum-
mef months, when 1east expected, the
traVeier finds himself aweather.bound
by a premature fall Of snow. At these
times, however. it quickly evaporates
under the influence of the suns rays,
and the imprisoned ones go on their
way rejoicing, but it is at the COM
mencement of the so-calied rainy sea
son that real dangers are encountered
All intercourse between the two coun-
tries must now be suspended. Friends
who have tarried too long on their WIS.,
Its to friends are now anxious to re-
turn. Cattle drovers are desirous. of
making one more trip. Merchants
count up their imaginary gains, which
0Le more mule-train of goods, safely
transported across the country, would
yield. The snow-line,. always visible
the entire year, still maintains its posi-
tion near the peaks of the mountains.
The old weather prophets prognosti-
cafe fair weather for a week or two
al HhA Cd xr., f,r,- 81 "A
out, trusting to luck for safe passage.
In 1869 I had occasion to undertake
this journey, and consider ii as mi
that was spared to tell the tale. =
My business was urgent-a case oil
life or deatbs The travel was nearly
.euspended for the season but q fool
hardy drOver was found who had de
termined upon one more trip, and |
gladly seized The opportunity of accom-
panying him.
Our route for the first two or three
days was pleasant and agreeable, the
weather, all that could be desired. We
were nearing the summit; one day
more would bring US past the worst
part of the road. aFe
At this juncture we came to the eel
ebrated 'Cueva del Viajeros,' which af-
fords the best protection to the be-
nighted traveller. Completely shut in
on all sides, it extends back some two
hundred feet, and is perhaps half as
wide, with only one entrance. and that
half hidden by thick underground of
espino and cactus. %
Although we could have Travelled
some little distance yet before night
fall, Cifuentes-the drover-copcluded
1t would be best to spend the night
here, and make upfor lost time. by. an
early start on the morrow. ,- -
Our retreat, though rough and rug
ged, afforded ample room for the cat
tie, which were reluctantly driven in
to the almost timpenetiable darkness, |
and were left TO accom- mmodate them
selves as best they might, while we i
turned our attention to the wants of
theriuner man. - - -
With our party was an old naontene-
TO (mountaineer), who had spent his
among these wilds, and
to whom every cloud, every gust Of
wind, or flight of birds was sure indi.l
Gator of coming events, and as readily |
defined as his constant observation
could possibly make them. He had
been sent cut to gather fuel, and. now
returned with dolefui fale about q /
flock of wild geese flying southwsrd,
and snow banks piled up in the north
ern skies.
Cifuentus was not disconnected by |.
the intelligence; he thought there
might be slight fall; but, to be pre-
pared for any emergency, we all set
about gathering the scant supply of fu-
el and storing 1t away inside the cave.
To me snow storm was but a tri-
fling affair. 1 had often heard travel
ers tell their incredible stories ufthe I'M
EBense drifts which they had encoun-
tered, but / was quite unprepared Tor
fhe spectacle which / beheid the next
month Of our cavern was
blocked up. With shovels
we worked cur way through, to obtainl