San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

MOUNT POPOCATAPETL.
The Thrilling Story Of a Wonderful
Ascent.
philadelphia Record.
It is nearly two years-though it
seems but yesterday-since 1 stood
on the esummit of Mount Popocatapetl.
1t was while ascending the Plains OF
Mexico that the party, of which Twas
a member first caught sight OF the
cone of Popocatapetl, with its diadem
of snow, piercing the sky. A trip to
the summit was often discussed by
us, but we were discouraged by the
stories told us by the natives of the
craggy precipices, deep gullies, snow,
ice and intense cold we should en-
counter, and that none but an Indian
could reach the top. SO when we
reached Puebla, whence we had in
tended to start on the ascent, the par
ty had become quite disheartened.
But on arriving at the City of Mexico,
Mr.. George Skilton, brother of the
American Consul, who has made the
ascent, gave us SO much encourage
mant that we decided to try it. He
introduced us to General Gaspar San
chos Ocha, owner of the volcano, who
kindly gave us permission to make
the ascent, and promised us every ia
cility. About daybreak, February 3,
1879, Mr. Haines, of Camden, N. j.:
and myself started on a Mexican stage
coach, ut full gallop-the only gait it
seems to know-out of the grand
square and through the southern gate
OF the city, with Lake Tezcocurefect-
ing the light of the rising sun, and
ohe white dome of Popocatapetl ahead,
100 miles distant. We reached Chal-
90, forty miles distant, about IL o.
clock, and four hours later we reach
ed Mirlhores, where weleft the stage,
accepting an invitation from Mr.
Robertson, to whom we had letters,
and who WAS exceedingly hospitable,
TO remain over night. He is the pro
prietor OF the large factories here and
the owner of the town. Starting
next morning we reached the old city
Of Talmanalco, now mostly in ruins
and soon after arrived in Ameca, at
the foot of the mountain. Here our
guide conducted us to the house OF
che Superintendent of the sulphur
works at the volcano, who had been
advised ofour coming through letters
from General Ocha, and instructed to
provide guides and the necessary out
nit for us. He could speak little
English and took great interest in us.
He soon had our guides ready-four
ldians on foot and one with horses
to 60 as far as possible to ride. Our
outfit, besides provisions, consisted OF
1annels to wrap around MS, sandals
for our feet. etc. We were told that
the trip might take week, and that
few had succeeded in making the as
cent, and those under the most favor
able circumstances.
The afternoon was spent about the
beautiful town of Ameca, which is ia
nous as the annual gathering place
for the worship of the natives. This
being the season, by a happy chance,
we had very interesting view OF the
sacred mount, several hundred feet
high; and I thought, as 1 stood on its
summit and looked over the mass of
worshippers, with the beautiful city
below, while seemingly little way
off Was the towering mountains, that
this scene alone was worth the trip to
to Mexico, and felt amply repaid were
we to go no further.
The morning of the 5th dawned
beautiful, as all mornings do in Mex
leo, and we were up early and anxious
for the trip. We could plainly see the
crater, apparently about the size OF a
barrel, although we were tod it was
three miles in circumference. Vol
umes of smoke and steam were con-
stlntly ascending. The summit ap-
peared in the shape Of a hay-stack
with a white sheet drawn over it. All
being ready, We started for the ascent
about 8 O'Clock For about three
miles our route was through lovely
valley. Our path was oyerhung with
climbing vines. tropical trees and
shrubs which flung their gay blossoms
in the morning breeze. Soon we be-
gan a rapid ascent and began to en-
ioy views beyond description Next
we we're in the regions OF piness and
the tropical plants were seen no more
Northern plants hri taken their place
the familiar spruce and Balm oi
Gilead and white pine trees unknown
IN the lOwercountTv-while the heavy
undergrowsh had disappeared and we
could almost imagine Ourselvesin our
native land At l O'Clock at an ele-
rasion Of 1000 feet We reached what
sr1ezred b. Je level plan between
tie Wlite Lady anA P0pocztapetl
w5fs 10 ve-etation bet the Tzch p--a-
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