St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-09-18
PeriIOus Mountain Climbing.

Mount Washington is completely
hidden and will probably not appear
again to-day, although short time
ago it stood out in sharp outline, as
the sun shone bright and the air was
crystal clear. 1t is these sudden and
unlooked-for changes that sometimes
render mountain climbing difficult
here, and often dangerous, as is in
stanced by the experience of some
visitors yesterday forming party of
twelve, who wished to visit the sum-
nit of Mount Washington on foot.
The ascent was accomplished without
any particular difficulty. When the
top was reached there were no clouds
hanging near To narrow the extent of
mountain and lake that stretched far
and wide, and valley and river scenery
made lovely panorama. The party
delayed its departure until far into the
afternoon, when the descent was be-
gun in high spirits.
They had rot proceeded far before
clouds came sweeping down as if by
magic. 1t was with difficulty that they
all kept the bride path, and the word
was passed not to straggle but to keep
as closely together as possible. In
single file and almost locking step
they pushed on, until well down
! the mountain side, when n halt was
called and a count made. To their
horror it was discovered that two of
the party were missing, and for a few
moments all stood still, not knowing
what to do. The majority of the par
" were in favor of retracing their
steps and going in search of the two
ladies who had strayed but wiser
counsel prevailed. and it was decided
to push on to the hotel rs rapidly as
possible, and not waste any precious
time discussing the question, as the
fog was growing thicker and thicker
and there was danger that all might
lose their way and be forced to pass
the night on the mountain.
1t was urged that persons familiar
with all the paths could he found a
the hotel, and that, if any one could
they would find the missing ones. a
party was made up in the plain, lee
by grizzly old mountaineer whit
knows well the country, and started
out in search of the missing ones
Until well on towards midnight the.
kept pushing steadily on, examining
every foot of ground and searchin:
carefully along the path, until the.
came to Jacobs Ladder, where is tn
steepest portion of the ascent, an
there they found the sisters, snugl
wrapped up in their water proof
1 and sound asleep in each others arms
: They were Immediately awakened
and towards morning, were safely /
bed at their hotel, none the worse TO
their adventure.
One of them had stopped for me
, ment to tie her shoe, her sister wait
5 ing for her, and when they started o
t again they found that they had be
= come turned around and did not knO
5 which way to go, as the path, jus
}, there, lay along II level stretch
D ground with neither ascent nor dt
5 scent, so they philosophically detel
f mined to scamp for the night" rs on
e of them expressed ii, and soon fell fa'
asleep, and realized nothing of the
f surroundings until they were awakene
|, by their rescuers.
e The old mountaineer refused to n
J, ceive any recompense for his servic
d 1t was sight to see the two prett
e girls 90 up to him on the porch, ju
VI DitthilSl, MISC hihh hSthi W
d while the three or four hundred guest
= who saw their action, applaudt
lie warmly. The weather-beaten old fe
n low wiped his eyes on his sleeve al
Of muttered something about the smol
from his pipe, which no one believe
" This happy ending adventure b
II set every one talking about Liz
il Bourne, who became exhausted al
te persisted on the mountain, hundr
&c yards from shelter, some thirty yea
E. ago, and the idea lately suggested
Mr.. Milliken, of the Fabyan and Gil
A. houses, that subscriptions should
til opened for suitable monument
10 mark the spot where she died, is IA
a. idly gaining favor. 1t is proposed
ne raise ten thousand dollars, by mea
Ell of small donations from the visitors
I'm the mountains. Responsible perse
D. will be placed in charge of the mat
Iat at each of the hotels, while sculp