The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-09-11
Lost OH q Gyacier.
WANDERING ABOUT FOR FOUR DAYS AND NIGHTS
IN A BLINDING SNOw-STORM.

IN A BLINDING SNOw-STORM.
From the London Times.I
Never since Pontresna became favorite
summer residence has there been so great
an excitement as on Saturday last, the Sd Of
August. On the previous Thursday two
parties had started from Pontresina for the
new shelter hut OF the Swiss Alpine Club at
Boval. The first, consisting Of two gentle
men of Zurich, with the guides, Hans and
and his brother. Christian Grass, proposed
to ascend the Piz Palu on the following
day. The second party, Mr.. Seton Karr,
with the guides Caray and Christian Grass
(the son of the above-named Hans Grass,
intended to ascend the Piz Bernina. Both
parties slept at the Bovalhutte," and
from thence started at 2 A. NJ, and pro-
ceeded together to the Festung. Here they
separated. Some hours aiterward snow
storm suddenly overlook both. although the
weather had been fine and the sky almost
cloudless. This storm lasted until Satur-
day night, and after painful and most diff
ticult walk the first party, after reaching the
Palu, returned safely to PontreSina in the
evening. .....
There Hans Grass learned that his son
and the young Englishman had not yet re-
turned. Without taking any rest, Hans at
once started with John Gross for the Boval,
which they reached about A. NJ. Finding
the hut empty, they had a presentment that
an accident had overtaken the party for
whom they were in search. They consequent
" retraccd the route they had taken twenty
three hours previously, and nearly reached
the Resting; but the increasing storm and
the darkness compelled them to return to
BovaI, where they met Christian Grass, who
had come from PontreSina 20 assist III the
search. After short rest, the three men
started In the raging storm and heavy fall
OF snow, passed rock ih the middle OF the
glacier called Festung, and crossed under
the "Bela Vista" peak toward the Bernina.
Again they were prevented by the fearful
storm from making further progress, and
no response was heard by the distracted
father to the loud calls for his lost son.
Hans therefore reluctantly again descended
the glacier, and returned. to Pontresina ut
6 P. NJ, overcome by fatigue and incon-
solable at the supposed loss he had sus-
tanned. " .... .....-E
In the meantime, however, the whole
CORPS of guides, thirty in number, had
started from Pontresina. Twenty-four
went to Boval in order to commence their
search in different directions after midnight.
In the early morning six were TO proceed to
the Valley Of the Roscg, rs possibly the
storm might have thrown the travellers
down the precipice on the Tschierra glacier.
It was also arranged by telegram that men
from Poschiavo and Maewo should ascend
the Bernina from the italian side. When
every possible arrangement had thus been
made, about II O'Clock in the evening OF
Saturday the Sd, joyous shouts were heard
from the Mortcratsch side, which were
taken up by the villagers and rapidly spread
in all directions, ssThey are found! They
live! They are well!" A messenger was
at once sent to Kampfer to convey the hap
py tidings to the relatives OF the English
man, who had almost abandoned hope.
The history OF his adventures was short
~ as follows: They had gained the summit
of the Bernina at $3.50 A. NJ, when suddenly
they were surrounded By thick clouds and
overtaken by storm, which lasted till the
evening Of the following day. However,
nfter short rest, they commenced the de-
scent, and by - O'Clock had safely reached
the great * Firnkessel." Onward they pro-
ceeded in the now raging snow-storm until
they had gained the "Grasta Guzza,"
$4,000 meters). Darkness had overtaken
them, and further progress was impossible.
at dawn Of day fresh but Intellectual efforts
were made to escape from the enclosure OF
ice and snow in which for twenty-four
hours they had been imprisoned. About
noon on Saturday the Sd they con-
triyed by means OF a rope to let them
selves down considerable height, falling
upon the soft snow, and continued their
perilous journey until 0 O'Clock 2. NJ, little
thinking that they were within easy reach
| OF the "Bovalhutte," where succor was
awaiting them; for here their cries had
been heard. joyful greetings were ex-
changed, and food and shelter were soon
provided. None OF the party sustained any
serious injury, although the Englishman
narrowly escaped the effects OF frost-bite.
No blame can be attached to the guides
by any who understands the fearful power
Of sudden snow-storm among tue noun
tains. Still, in order to avoid similar ad.
ventures, it would be desirable for every
s1aide to possess compass, and also that
travellers should provide themselves with
good aneroid when undertaking length
ened mountain excursion.
Ar. Kearney says gold is coward. Our
own experience shows that this Is so. we
4 Z 1A al