The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-10-02
A Blind Man Climb. Mont Blame.
HIS OWN ACCOUNT OF THE PERILOUs ASCENT
AN UNPRECRDENYED PEAT.

| HIS OWN ACCOUNT OF THE PERILOUs ASCENT
AN UNPRECEDENTED FEAT.
+. j. Campbell, blind man, gives in the
London Times the following description OF
bis ascent Of Mont Blanc:
"My ascent OF Mont Blanc was not sud-
| den, reckless undertaking. 1t was the re-
suit OF fixed purpose. and only undertaken
after long and careful preparation. In
order to carry on my work on behalf Of the
blind, it was necessary 10 keep up my pluck,
energy, and determination. Skating, swim
ming, rowing, riding, have all contributed
their share TO this end; but last year went
TO Switzerland TO try Notwithstanding.
The experiment was highly successful. This
year went again, accompanied by my wife.
son, and bis Higbness Prince Alexander
George OF Hesse. After four weeks con-
tinuous work on the glaciers and in various
mountain ascents / went to Chamounx.
and without difficulty achieved the object OF
my summers excursion.
In company with my son, with Benot
as my leading guide, / attacked Mont
Blanc. At first the guides expected 10
drag me up, but | gave them their choice
to leave ne to climb in my own way or give
up the undertaking. was resolved to
make an honest climb or give up the ascent.
took my place on the rope in the ordinary
way, except that the distance between my
son and myself was only a few feet. This
enabled me 10 follow his footsteps closely,
and IN such places as the very dangerous
crevasse near the grand plateau we moved
in immediate succession. For instance,
before he would take the fingers OF his right
hand out OF the hole which had been cut in
the ice wall for the purpose, my left hand
n - -.
TO occupy the hole as soon as he relinquish.
ed il. With the exception OF cutting very
excellent steJs for me, the guides during
the ascent did not assist me in any way. |
was glad 10 find that the ascent OF such
steep places As the Bosse was much easier
than | bad anticipated. The cutting OF
steps required considerable time, and
allowed me at my leisure to prepare
for each difficult and dangerous step. Be-
sides carrying strong alpenstock, L al
ways take with ne in difficult climbs short
walking stick, which often use 10 my right
hand as an indicator, and to show the skill
which it is possible to attain in this way
may mention that | did not miss single
step in the entire ascent. When | reached
the summit Benoit exclaimed, Welcome
to the summit Of Mont Blanc. You are the
first and last blind gentleman who will ever
stand upon this the highest point in Eu-
rope' But my mind was busy. Passing
from peak 10 peak went round the entire
circle, dwelling on many favorte summiis.
They had all been carefully studied, and
each in its turn brought some new winged
hope for the future. 1t was very cold,
and the guides soon reminded Us that we
must begin the descent. Before doing so,
however, | consecrated my life anew TO the
blind, and have now returned to England
to prosecute this one purpose OF my life.
In difficult climbs l rely entirely upon my
own careful steps and the strength OF my
own arm, but in making descents it is other
wise, especially over snow slopes. Here |
take the guides arm and my alpeSstOck in
the other hand and bound down with great
rapdity. We made the descent from the
summit to the Grands Mulets in three hours
and thirty minutes"