Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1882-01-26
An Englshman's Ascent Of Pike
ppak

An Englishman's Ascent Of Pike.
Peak.
Saturday Review
The ascent Of Pixies Peak is usual,
made on horseback; for, Just as IN
Switzerland no one rides who can walk
so in America no one walks who can
ride-the guides themselves accompany
the expedition on horseback. 1t is d
curious fact that, on attaining an alti-
tude of about 10000 feet, the pedestrian
is attacked with an extreme lassituda
and oppression not experienced on the
Swi9s Alps even at much higher ati.
tudes. This statement we do not make
only on our own authority. We have
the assurance of 4 very distinguished
mountaineer, well acquainted with
Switzerland and the ranges OF Central
Asia, that it was rs much as lie could
do to struggle up to the top of Pixies
Peak. Occasionally a party will an.
nounce their intention of going up the
Peak to see the sunrise therefrom, and
will make great preparations accord
ingIy. They will start early the previ.
Gus afternoon with a goodly supply of
wraps aud food, carrying revolyers to
intinidate the bears, but, according to
the inhabitants of the signal station
before mentioned, they usually arrive
about 10 A. NJ, aud are con.
tent to see the sunrise from much
lower level Should yOu chance to fall
in with "sunrise" party on the noun.
tain, you will find they are Il little
tetchy if you condole with them on the
incomplete success of their expedition,
and they will assure YOU with some
warmth that sunrises can be seen lust
rs well from the precise spot attained
by them as from any more elevated
position. After this assurance Won
would do well TO drop the subject. The
path all the way up is perfectly well
ielined, and no guide is needed. Wher-
,ver any reasonable doubt can arise
'lgn post treasures the traveller 1t is
practicable by moonlight, even through
he forest, and revolver is not neces
ary part of the outfit, the chance of en-.
a bear being remote in the eX-
rene. The mountain buck, a species of |
Wild ram much affected by the sports.
nan, is not unfrtquently met with
Toward the top the path becomes bare
nd minteresting, but for most of the
way the scenery is picturesque, bold
md diversified. From the stony pla-
eau on which the weather-signal sta
ion is built one can see about one hum
red and fifty miles over the prairie,
nd on the opposite side long range
f mountains is visible. The station
a substantial building, containing
hree or four rooms, in which the two
inhabitants contrive to look
cry cheerful. The furniture of the
rincipal chamber in this highest in
abited house in the wOrd-l4,l5O
eet above the sea-level-cOnSists or an
laborate writing desk, large wooden
ed, a few boOk.shelves, well filled, a
tove, q table and a few chairs. One
f the signal men, an ex first lieuten
mt IN the American army, dispenses
ospitality for a consideration. A cup
coffee with condensed milk, costs
twenty-five cents, or one shilling, and
he charge is the same for a glass of
,monade. The gallant officer is much {
leased with his quarters, in spite of {
le low winter temperature, the mer- [
liry, or rather the spirit thermometer,
aving been known to recede to forty.
,ven degrees below zero. He ailirms t
nat he never had a good nights rest t
Il he attained his present elevation, t
aving previously suffered from asth- |
IA, The number of signal men at |
Iched to the station is three, of whom {
yo are always there. Their expert ,
ice of climatic changes must be in
resting, as furious thunder-storms |
Ike place with short notice, and heavy t
lies come on quite suddenly in clear t
~, blowing over without a drop of '
in, on which occasion the dust is in G
lerable,